How much does access-control cabling cost per door?+
Typical inside-plant door with accessible pathway and moderate distance (under 200 ft to IDF): $250-$500 per door for cable, terminations, and testing. Long runs, exterior doors requiring conduit, and hard-lid ceilings raise the cost. We provide fixed per-door pricing after a site walk.
Should we run composite cable or separate cables?+
Composite (all conductors in one jacket) is faster to pull and cleaner in the pathway — standard for most jobs. Separate pulls are specified in high-security or high-EMI environments, or when a spec explicitly calls for it.
How far can access-control cable run from IDF to door?+
Reader (Wiegand/OSDP): typically 500 ft on 22 AWG for Wiegand, 4,000 ft on 22 AWG for OSDP over RS-485. Lock power: depends on voltage drop — typically 300-500 ft on 18 AWG for a strike or maglock; longer runs need heavier gauge or a local power supply. We calculate per opening.
Do you install the access-control system or just pull cable?+
Both. We can install the full system end-to-end (readers, controllers, locks, head-end configuration) or pull cable and coordinate with your access-control integrator. Cable-only jobs come with the same labeling and documentation as a full install.
OSDP or Wiegand for the reader?+
OSDP (Open Supervised Device Protocol, RS-485) for all new installs — encrypted, bidirectional, supports 4,000 ft, and standardized across HID/Farpointe/Allegion. Wiegand is legacy, unencrypted, and distance-limited. Every new reader we install is OSDP-capable.
Can you pull access-control cable during tenant improvement construction?+
Yes — rough-in during construction is the most efficient and cost-effective time. We coordinate with the GC and door hardware contractor on frame prep and cable delivery to each opening.
Do you provide as-builts and door schedules?+
Yes — every job closes with a door schedule (door number, location, hardware, controller port, power supply, cable IDs), wire IDs at both ends, and a floor plan showing pathway and IDF locations.
How much does access control cabling cost?+
Access Control Cabling pricing depends on drop count, cable type, pathway complexity, and building conditions. Most commercial projects range from $150 to $350 per drop installed. Request a free site survey for an itemized quote.
Do you provide access control cabling nationwide?+
Yes. Access Cabling is headquartered in California with a nationwide technician network for multi-site rollouts across all 50 states.
Is access control cabling certified and warrantied?+
Every installation is Fluke-tested and certified. Structured cabling installs carry manufacturer warranties of up to 25 years through our Panduit, CommScope, Leviton and Belden partner relationships.