Security estimating software for CCTV, alarms and intercoms
TradieTally is security estimating software for installers who price camera systems, alarms, intercoms, access control and data cabling, and who need the hardware cost, labour time and margin right on every one.
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TradieTally is security estimating software that prices CCTV, alarm, intercom, access control and data cabling jobs from hardware costs, labour time and your real charge-out rate, and shows the profit and margin on each estimate before it goes to the customer.
Security estimating software for CCTV, alarms and intercoms: step by step
- 1
Load your hardware into inventory
Bulk-import cameras, NVRs, drives, PoE switches, detectors and door hardware by CSV, with SKUs and the supplier each item comes from.
- 2
Set your charge-out rate from real costs
Build your hourly running cost from vehicle, tools, insurance and admin, then set a target margin to get your charge rate.
- 3
Build the system on the estimate
Add cameras, an NVR sized for the channel count and retention, drives, a PoE switch, cable and connectors, then the labour hours to run and terminate it.
- 4
Add monitoring and extras
Use custom line items for monitoring, remote viewing setup, after-hours work or a lift hire.
- 5
Check the profit before sending
See cost, profit and margin on the estimate. A margin warning appears if hardware costs drag it below your target.
- 6
Save it as a Smart Bundle
Turn the estimate into a reusable Smart Bundle for the next similar system.
Why security estimating software has to start with the hardware
Security jobs are hardware-heavy. On a camera system, the NVR, drives and cameras can be most of the price, so the margin on hardware matters as much as your labour rate. Forget the PoE switch or underestimate a cable run and the profit is gone before you've mounted the first camera.
Good security estimating software makes the parts of the system visible, so nothing is missed.
- NVR channels and drive size for the number of cameras and days of retention
- PoE switch ports and power budget when the NVR's built-in ports run out
- Cable runs, keeping network runs within the 100 m channel limit
- Junction boxes, conduit, brackets and connectors
- Height access, ceiling space and after-hours install time
Estimating access control and intercoms per door
Access control is easiest to estimate per door: the lock or strike, reader, exit button, door contact, power supply, controller capacity and cable, plus the labour to fit it. Save that as your Access control door Smart Bundle, then multiply by the door count.
Intercoms work the same way: entry station, monitors, power, cable and labour. Once those are set up, security quoting on site becomes a matter of picking the bundle and adjusting quantities.
Data cabling on the same security estimate
Many installers run the network points as part of a camera or access job. Add Cat6 runs, patch panels, faceplates and testing time as line items, or save a standard data point as a Smart Bundle. Our guide on how to quote a CCTV installation covers what to allow.
If you're still estimating at night, try the quoting-time calculator to see what those hours cost you each year.
Larger commercial security projects
Today, larger jobs are built line by line with your hardware and labour items. The Project Estimator, coming soon, will let you take off from the plans, build your bill of quantities and turn it into a quote. See all estimating software features.
Example from the app: intercom replacement
This is the worked example shown in TradieTally for an intercom replacement job. Profit and margin are calculated on the price ex GST.
| Price charged (inc GST) | $1,783.92 |
|---|---|
| Costs (hardware and labour) | $1,064.56 |
| Profit | $557.18 |
| Margin | 34% |
Example figures from the TradieTally app. Your hardware prices and running costs will differ.
Estimating software for security technicians: FAQs
How do I size an NVR and hard drive in a security estimate?
Work out the channel count and storage from the camera count, resolution and the days of retention the customer needs, using your manufacturer's calculator. Then add the NVR and drive as material lines from your inventory so they're priced at your current cost and margin.
Can I price access control per door in TradieTally?
Yes. Build an Access control door Smart Bundle with the lock, reader, exit button, door contact, power and labour for one door, then change the quantity for the number of doors. Add the controller and any shared hardware as separate lines.
Can TradieTally keep my camera prices current when supplier costs change?
TradieTally doesn't have live wholesaler price feeds. You can update prices in bulk by CSV import, and each material keeps a pricing history against its supplier, so you can see when a cost has moved and margin warnings flag estimates that have gone thin.
What margin should a security installer aim for on hardware?
It depends on your running costs and market, so there's no single right number. TradieTally lets you set a target margin and warns you when an estimate falls below it; the app's intercom example returned a 34% margin. Our guide on markup vs margin explains why the difference matters on hardware.
Can I estimate a large commercial CCTV project from drawings?
Not yet. The Project Estimator for take-offs from plans is coming soon. For now, larger CCTV projects are built line by line from your inventory and labour items.
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Stop quoting at the kitchen table.
Price every job from your real costs, see the profit before you hit send, and run the whole job from one app. Built by a sparky for electricians, security techs and A/C contractors.