Network Installation Cost Estimate Example

Upgrading your network can improve security, reliability and performance. But how much does a network installation cost? Find out more with this Network Installation cost estimate example

We often get asked to provide estimates for how much network installation costs.

Network installations costs vary based on many different factors which include:

Type of cabling system to be used – Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7, Single-mode Fibre, Multi-mode fibre and more.

Type of installation – New build, retro-fit, additions, moves and changes.

Installation environment – Warehousing, work at height, offices, retail, external, underfloor and data centre.

Containment requirements – Is all containment in place or does it need quoting for? Consider requirements for basket / tray, conduit, dado trunking, underfloor cableways, mini-trunking and floor boxes.

Cable management – Are cable management systems required at the cabinet end. Examples include NeatPatch, vertical cable management and cable management bars.

Existing cabling removal – is there an existing cabling system that needs decommissioning and removing?

Access restrictions – Can the network installation contractor complete works without restriction? Will employees or third party contractors be restricting access to site or areas within the site during the project?

Are any power works required – You will need to consider any third-part electricians costs for providing power and earthing connections for the comms cabinets if the network installation contractor can’t accommodate the power works.

Live equipment requirements – Is the supply and installation of routers, switches, wireless access points, firewalls, printers, PC’s or audio visual equipment required?

As you can see, there are lots of things to take into account when estimating for a network installation or upgrade.

Some companies provide a very low-cost per outlet price to make the quote look attractive and then treat most of the above items as variations or additions. When the bill comes in, it can be considerably more than you anticipated.

Taking some common requests as examples, here are some guideline prices for some of our most requested network installation services:

Network Installation Cost Estimate – Example 1

A small network installation or addition to an existing network of 12 network outlets (network points). This could be 12 points for 6 Phones and 6 Computers (providing connectivity for 6 members of staff)

We anticipate that there is adequate trunking in place already or we can use surface mounted mini-trunking.

We will include a small wall mounted cabinet and we will install and certify Cat6 type cabling.

The work area will be accessible and the work will be carried out between 08:00 and 18:00 weekdays.

We will test using a professional Fluke DSX5000 certification tester and provide certification results, network diagrams, electronic as-fitted drawings and electronic cabinet layout drawings.

All documentation and drawings will be securely stored on our cloud-based customer portal for easy access as required.

All patch leads will be provided.

Installed in the cabinet will be PDU and Neat Patch cable management.

A dedicated project manager will support the project throughout.

The example price for this project would be £1680.00 + vat.

This price excludes any live equipment such as routers, switches and firewalls.

Network Installation Cost Estimate – Example 2

Using the same example scenario as above, an installation with 96 outlets and a floor standing half-height cabinet would be £10,560 + vat

Network Installation Cost Estimate – Example 3

Using the same example scenario as above, an installation with 192 outlets and a floor standing half-height cabinet would be £17,280 + vat

Hopefully these figures give you some guideline prices as an indication against various sized projects.

You can see there are a lot of variables to consider that can affect the estimate.

We always provide a fully detailed estimate using our custom-built quoting software. This ensures an accurate quote every time with no additional surprise costs at the end of the project (unless the scope of work from the client changes mid project)

Find out more about our Network Installation Services