Intercom installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What intercom installation is

Intercom installation mounts a door entry or whole-building intercom, including the stations that sit at the entrance and in the rooms, runs the cabling, connects power and tests the audio, video and door release between the units. People install one to screen visitors before they open a gate or door, and to talk between floors or units.

Signs you need it

  • You want to see and speak to visitors at the gate or front entry before you open it
  • You have a multi-unit building or a shared entry with no intercom or a failed one
  • Your existing intercom has no sound, a bad picture or a door release that does not work
  • You want to talk between floors, rooms or buildings from one station to another
  • You want a door release that lets a visitor in from inside, with a camera at the entry

What the pro does

  • Plan the station locations at the entry and inside, and check the cable path from each to the central unit
  • Mount the entry station and the indoor stations at the heights and angles the design calls for
  • Run the low-voltage cable between the stations, keeping it clear of power wiring and heat
  • Connect the power supply, the door release and any electric strike or lock through the licensed trade the work requires
  • Set up the audio and video levels, the call buttons and the door release timing
  • Test the call, the audio, the video and the door release from every station, and show the owner how to use each one

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of entry stations and indoor stations, and whether video is included
  • Single-building or multi-unit system, which affects the central unit and the wiring
  • Length and route of the cable, including through walls, attics or outdoor conduit
  • Door release type, such as an electric strike, a magnetic lock or a gate operator
  • Whether a new power supply, outlet or circuit is needed for the entry equipment
  • Weatherproofing needs at an outdoor station
  • Access to the walls, the entry and the attic for the cable run

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each station listed by model, type and location, with video or audio only named
  • Cable type, length and route for each station, as separate lines
  • Central unit or power supply, listed by model
  • Door release, electric strike or gate work listed separately, with the licensed trade named
  • Any new outlet, circuit or power connection, listed for the licensed electrician
  • Setup, testing and training, with the warranty on the equipment and the labor

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Is this a single building or a multi-unit system, and how do the stations connect?
  • What cable do you run, and how is it routed away from power wires?
  • Who connects the power supply and the door release, and are they licensed?
  • Will the video work in daylight and at night at the entry?
  • Can I open the door from the indoor station, and how is that wired?
  • What warranty covers the stations, the power supply and the labor?
  • What happens if the power goes out, and does the door release fail safe?

Red flags

  • They run cable beside power wires or along a heat source
  • They connect the door release to a power source without a licensed electrician where your area requires one
  • They skip the test of the door release from every station
  • They mount an outdoor station without weatherproofing it
  • They leave the system without showing you how to use it

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can choose the station locations, plan the cable route, and test the audio from a station that is already wired and powered. Do not connect the door release, a strike, a lock, a power supply or any outlet yourself, because those connections involve electrical work and can affect how the entry is secured. Call a pro for the wiring, the door release, the power supply and the final testing.

Licenses and permits

Intercom installation often requires a licensed electrician for the power supply, the door release and any new outlet, and some areas require a permit for entry systems. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building office about the requirements for your entry.

Intercom installation questions

Can an intercom replace a doorbell?

In many homes an intercom station can replace the doorbell, but the wiring and power may need changes. Ask the installer whether the existing wiring can carry the intercom and whether a licensed electrician is needed.

Is a video intercom better than an audio-only one?

Video lets you see the visitor before you open the door, which many owners want for security. Audio-only is simpler and lower cost to install. Ask the installer which fits the entry and the number of stations you need.

What happens if the power goes out?

It depends on the system. Some intercoms and door releases fail to a locked or open state, so ask the installer what your door does when the power is off, and whether a backup power option exists.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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