We have deliberately not published "from $X per door" figures here. Without seeing your doors, any number would be a guess, and a misleading low figure does nobody any favours. Here is what actually moves the price.
1. Number of doors and what each one needs
Every controlled door typically needs a reader, a lock, a door position sensor, a request-to-exit device (a button or sensor on the inside), cabling back to a controller and a share of controller and power-supply capacity. Ten doors in one building usually cost less per door than three doors spread across a site, because the controllers and cabling are shared.
Gates, roller doors, boom barriers and lifts are priced differently from standard doors, because they need interfaces to motors or lift controllers and often extra cabling or trenching.
2. Lock hardware and door type
This is often the biggest variable. The main choices are:
| Lock type | Typically suits | Cost considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Electric strike | Timber and aluminium doors with an existing mortice lock | Often the simplest retrofit; depends on frame type |
| Electric mortice lock | High-use and higher-security doors | Needs cabling through the door, usually via a power transfer hinge or loop |
| Electromagnetic lock | Glass doors and some aluminium shopfronts | Needs careful egress design, because the door releases when power is cut |
Glass doors, frameless doors, fire-rated doors and heritage doors all need specific hardware. Existing hardware in good condition can sometimes be reused.
3. Cabling and building construction
Labour for cabling depends on distance, ceiling access and the construction. Open warehouse ceilings with cable tray are quick. Concrete tilt-slab walls, hard ceilings, occupied offices and heritage buildings take longer. Reusing existing cabling from an old system can cut costs significantly if it is suitable.
4. Credentials
Cards and fobs are a per-user cost, and secure, encrypted card formats cost more than older proximity cards, which can be cloned. Mobile credentials usually carry an ongoing per-user licence instead of a physical card cost.
5. Software and licensing
On-premise software usually has an upfront licence and may need a server or PC. Cloud-managed platforms usually have a monthly or annual subscription per door or per site. Over five years the totals can be similar, so compare the full cost of ownership, not just the install price.
6. Integration
Linking access control to intruder alarms, CCTV, intercoms, lifts, visitor management or HR systems adds design and commissioning time, and sometimes licences. It is usually worth it, but it should be scoped explicitly in the quote.
7. Escape routes, consent and your building WOF
Access-controlled doors on escape routes are a specified system on many commercial compliance schedules (SS 3/2, "access controlled doors"). Adding or changing them can require a building consent and an updated compliance schedule. Once installed, they are inspected as part of the building warrant of fitness regime, with routine owner checks and inspections by an independent qualified person (IQP). Allow for consent costs, fire alarm interfacing where required, and the ongoing inspection cost.
8. Ongoing costs
- Software subscriptions or support agreements
- Replacement cards and fobs
- IQP inspections and BWOF reporting for doors on the compliance schedule
- Servicing: batteries, lock adjustments and firmware updates
How to get an accurate quote
- List every door, gate and lift you want controlled, and who needs access to each.
- Note which doors are on escape routes, and whether the building has a compliance schedule.
- Tell the installer about any existing system, cabling or hardware.
- Ask for the quote to break out hardware, labour, software and ongoing costs separately.
- Make sure the installer is licensed. Check the PSPLA register.
Frequently asked questions
Is access control cheaper than rekeying?
Can I add access control to my existing doors?
Do I need a building consent for access control?
Cloud or on-premise access control: which costs less?
How long does an installation take?
Sources
- Building Performance (MBIE), Guidance on building warrants of fitness and compliance schedules
- Whangārei District Council, Specified systems and compliance schedules (SS 3/2 access controlled doors)
- Ministry of Justice, Work you need a security licence or certificate for
This guide is general information, not a quote. Get a site-specific proposal before you budget.