Last Updated on July 11, 2023
Are you considering access control for your business? Let me start by saying that an access control and keyless entry are just two different terms for basically the same thing. They are interchangeable. There are many advantages to access control systems, and I am often asked, “What will it cost to install access control?” The answer usually starts with, “What do you want the system to do?” There are many variable to pricing of keyless entry and this article is going to break them down for you.
If you are in Arizona, and would like a quote for your access control system, fill out our Access Control Estimate Request online.
For the cost of other locksmith services, refer to our article A Locksmith Talks Prices.
What Does Access Control Cost?
Access control prices vary dramatically based on the type of system. As a Locksmith company, we deal mainly with small businesses.
For small businesses, access control for a single door can be as little as $500 for an isolated, stand alone system. A wired access control system meant for 1-2 doors will be between $1000 and $2000 per door. Cost for access control is very feature dependent. Systems can climb into several thousand per door for large-scale commercial businesses.
This cost per door graph quickly breaks down the low to high cost for a given type of keyless door entry.
How Much is an Access Control System in Arizona?
Access control systems in the Phoenix, AZ market run about 5-10% less than the above prices. This is due to the favorable cost of living in Arizona. If you are in the Phoenix Arizona market, you can schedule an Access Control Estimate with ACME Locksmith online.
Jump to:
Types of Access Control Systems
How do Access Control Systems Work?
How do Features Impact Cost of the Access Control System?
Can I Save Money Installing My Own Access Control System?
Cost of Maintaining Access Control System?
Quick Answers to Frequent Questions
The Types of Door Access Control Systems?
There are primarily three major categories of access control systems.
Traditional Wired System – The Most Expensive.
The first is the more traditional wired system. In a wired system you typically have a power supply, a controller that triggers whatever releases the door, and a software program so that you can add codes, cards or FOBs to access the door.
Wired keyless entry systems are the most expensive Access Control Systems because of the wiring, multiple electrical components and labor/installation cost. They can cost up to several thousand dollars per door and need to be installed by a security professional such as your local locksmith company.
But, complete wired systems are very beneficial if you have a large number of doors to access and you want to program/control all of those doors from one central location or online from any computer/phone with internet.
Standalone Access Control – The Most Affordable
The second category, and very popular with small businesses, are Standalone Access Control (Keyless Entry) Systems. Usually everything needed for the system is contained within one device, such as a lock installed on the door, that allows programming for pin code and/or FOB access done at the lock itself.
Though the stand-alone-system locks are pretty expensive (ranging anywhere from $400 to over $1,500 in a commercial application with commercial grade locks), the cost savings comes from the fact that installation is much more simple. You don’t have nearly as many components as you do in a wired system. In fact, you typically only have one component, the lock. So it’s the lock itself that drives most of the expense.
The least expensive keyless entry is stand-alone keyless entry and for commercial grade product you can get pin-code access for as low as around $500 per door.
The standalone locks can look big and clunky, but that is because they are usually a commercial grade 1 lock (learn about lock grading) and since the can save you hundreds and even thousands of dollars, most of our customers prefer them.
The main disadvantage of this category is that it really is only good for a few doors. This is because each lock needs to be independently programmed at the lock itself and cannot all be controlled from one location. As you add doors, it can become an issue keeping them all up to date.
There are a few new solutions that will allow the locks to be programmed over the internet but as with all systems, this increases the price per door for the access control system.
My favorite stand alone products can be found on Amazon through the following links: Alarm Lock Trilogy (see on Amazon), Marks I-Qwik (see on Amazon) or Schlage NDE (see on Amazon), and Yale (see on Amazon)
Wired Keyless Systems for 1-2 Door
In recent years a third category has emerged. Especially effective for small businesses it is a hybrid of the above two categories. It is similar to the stand-alone door access category in that its primary use is for a single door but similar to wired systems in that there are multiple components on the door working together, as opposed to a single lock.
This means that the components need to be wired together with someone that understands low voltage wiring. But those low voltage lines aren’t run throughout a building for cost savings. In most cases, these systems can simply be plugged into an outlet near the door.
These systems really shine if there are only a few doors. One would choose these over the standalone systems because they are feature rich, offering capabilities not found in stand alone keyless systems, such as the ability to remote buzz people in with remote release feature.
The price of these keyless systems are coming down and currently only marginally higher than standalone system because while the individual components are less, the labor to install cost just a little more. Price will depend on whether it is a mag lock system or electronic strike and local city codes. Expect to pay around $1000-$1500 per door for a single door access control system.
You can buy a complete system as a kit through Amazon – a wide variety are available (see on Amazon).
For a more detailed description of the Components of an Access Control System and comparison of stand alone access control locks available, check out our post.
How Does Access Control Work and How Does it Affect Cost?
In a traditional door, some mechanical or physical action releases the door from the frame so that the door swings open. Typically unlocking a lock with a key. In Access Control Systems this is done electronically after credentials have been presented to the door granting someone access.
There are three main types of components that will hold/ release the door so that it can be opened:
- Magnetic locks. These hold the door closed via powerful electric magnets.
- Electronic strikes. These release the door lock so the door can swing freely even if the lock on the door has not been manually opened (turned).
- Electronic locks that release the lock from its locked state without having to have a key entered. These locks will either retract or release from the locked position electronically so the door can be opened.
There are several credentials that can be used in access control to release the electrical component security the door.
- Remotes – such as a buzz in capability to let someone in. Adding this capability can increase the price of the system.
- PIN code – a 4-8 digit pin code assigned to employees to gain access.
- HID Cards or FOBS – held close to a reading device to release the door. Adding card swipe support increases the cost of the system and increases price due to the cards/FOBs provided. The more cards, the higher the cost.
In general, the more components you have to a system, the more the system will cost. How many components you need depends on which system you chose, the features you choose and the city building codes.
How do the Features of Access Control Systems Affect Price?
There are several features available to choose from for each type of keyless entry we’ve discussed. The more features you add, the more expensive the system. A base system is one that allows entry by user PIN code. Pin code are manually programmed at the lock that is securing the door. A pin-code only system is the cheapest access control system. From here, these features typically add cost (in approximate order of increasing cost):
- Scheduling – the lock is open or closed during specific hours / days.
- Card or FOBs instead of PIN code (the card is the credential that allows access). Both support of the card swipe feature and the cards themselves drive pricing.
- Software programming – setting up a computer that interfaces to the lock for automatic uploads, downloads, and user code / credential changes.
- Audit trail – the ability to track who entered and when via a report.
- Wireless communication with the lock – codes, audit trails, etc… can be accessed from any browser.
How do City Building Codes Impact Price?
Building codes vary from town to town. You really do need to consult with your local fire marshal, locksmith company or building inspector to find out what codes are necessary in order to install access control on a given door. Ignoring or installing a system incorrectly will result in your being liable should anything occur.
In general, everyone inside the building must have free egress (see our article What is Free Egress?) by a single motion in order to leave the building in case of an emergency. That is, it only takes one action by a person to exit the door. For an Access Control door, this can either be through a manual action, such as pushing a panic bar or turning a lever to manually release the door, or an electronic action such as a “push to exit button” to release a magnetic lock. Every door must allow exit by every person without any key or special credential required.
Stand alone systems provide exit via mechanical means. Entry is via electronic credential (pin code or card) but exit stays mechanical. So there are no special code requirements that will alter the price.
If the exit is by an electrical means, such as the push to exit button found in many wired systems, many cities have code that requires a redundant system. This will increase the price of the system as it increases the number of components and labor cost in a wired keyless system. Stand alone access control systems have no such requirement as there will also be a mechanical exit available even if the lock fails.
Redundancy means that in a electric system should one thing fail another thing will still allow customers to exit the building. The most common method is to have a motion sensor on the inside of the door. When somebody approaches the door the motion sensor releases the electronic component securing the door. Should that fail the push to exit button is included as a backup measure to get out.
Even if your city does not require a redundant system to exit the building, it is still in your best interest to do so.
Can I Install My Own Commercial Door Keyless Entry to Save Money?
You can. Especially if the system is a stand alone, very basic system where you may be using just one PIN code.
But electronic systems and even the advanced stand alone systems are typical not do-it-yourself project for the inexperienced. Commercial systems are more complicated than residential and will require considerably more programming for the complex features. If all you want is a stand-alone keyless system with one user code that is accessible 24-7, then with the help of dealer installation videos or YouTube you should be able to handle the job.
When you get into scheduling, multiple users, audit trail support, etc….it’s considerably more complex even for stand alone system. Single door, wired access control systems require a basic knowledge of low voltage electrical, understanding of tool usage, your city’s fire and building codes to prevent liability. Those without these skills should use or consult with a local locksmith for their access control installation. ACME Locksmith installs these all the time in Arizona and our prices are quite reasonable.
Amazon lists a large number of stand alone and complete single-door access control systems. Our favorites are:
- Stand alone: either Alarm Lock Trilogy (see on Amazon), Yale (see on Amazon)
, Marks I-Qwik (see on Amazon) or Schlage NDE (see on Amazon).
- Wired single door: a wide variety are available (see on Amazon).
Cost of Repairing Keyless Entry Systems – If an Access Control / Keyless Entry System
Access control doors can be setup as either fail safe or fail secure.
Fail safe means that the electrical component holding the door will release when power is removed. In this situation there is always power at the door “holding” the door locks. When power is removed, it unlocks. If a magnetic lock were holding the door and power went out, the magnetic lock would release so you people can exit the business. In these cases, we often install a key override. Meaning doors will also be manually locked by a key so when the system fails, people with keys can still access the property, so even the system is broke and will need to be fixed, you won’t be locked out and you will be able to secure the building by key. This is the most common installation required of most business by city code.
Fail secure means that the door unlocks when power is applied. So when there is no power, the door stays secure.
Which is chosen depends on the application but you should always include a mechanical method to secure the door for fail safe mode and a method to open the door mechanically for fail secure. As an example, a business may have a buzz in capability installed on their door to allow people in during the day. If power fails during the day or at night in fail safe mode the door becomes unlocked. A mechanical method of locking the door should be left in place to account for this.
As an example, for our offices we use card swipe on a electronic single door. At night the last manager leaving mechanically locks the door. In the morning the first manager arriving mechanically unlocks it. During the day, credentials are used by employees to gain access.
Repair cost will depend on what has gone wrong but will always be less than the cost of installation. Worst case for stand alone keyless door entry is the replacement of the part. Cost will be essentially the same as the original installation. You local locksmith can help diagnose and repair the components of an access control system.
Electrical, wired door access will certainly always be less than the original. Because only one component will fail and need to be replaced. Although this sounds better, because there are more electrical components, failure will likely occur more often than the stand alone keyless entry.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
