Video Intercom Upgrade
Last updated September 2026 by the Douglas Security System team, licensed and insured NYC intercom specialists with over 35 years of experience.
Thousands of NYC buildings still run audio-only intercoms. They work, but tenants can’t see who they’re buzzing in, and the systems are getting older every year. The good news is that going to video doesn’t always mean ripping everything out.
Douglas Security System (DSS) converts audio intercoms to video in apartment buildings, co-ops, condos, offices, and private houses. In many buildings, our Comelit video intercom works alongside your existing intercom units, so tenants keep their apartment units and can also see and answer visitors on their cellphones. We’ve been doing this work in New York for over 35 years. Call (212) 262-2820 for a free inspection.
These signs usually mean it’s time to move from audio to video:
If two or more of these apply, an upgrade is worth pricing out.
| Feature | Audio intercom | Video intercom |
|---|---|---|
| Talk to visitors | Yes | Yes |
| See visitors before buzzing them in | No | Yes |
| Answer from a phone | Usually no | Yes, with app-enabled systems |
| PIN codes and key fobs | Sometimes, with add-ons | Often built in |
| Temporary codes for deliveries | No | Yes, on many systems |
| Tenant directory at the entrance | Button list | Touch screen or scrolling directory |
| Typical cost, small building | About $2,200 to $3,500 | About $4,000 to $5,000+ |
| Meets NYC voice and door release rules | Yes | Yes |
Costs are average NYC prices for a small building with one entrance.
Often, yes. Whether you can reuse the wiring depends on two things: the type of wiring and its condition.
During the inspection, we test the wiring from the entrance to the apartments. If it’s in good shape, we reuse it. If only some runs are damaged, we replace only those runs. You’ll know before you commit.
Most audio-to-video upgrades fall into one of three approaches:
1. New video entrance panel, keep the apartment units, add phone access. We replace the lobby panel with a video panel like the Comelit Ultra Touch and add a gateway so tenants can answer on their phones. The existing apartment units keep working. This is usually the least disruptive and most cost-effective option.
2. New video entrance panel and new video apartment stations. Every apartment gets a video monitor. This gives the best in-home experience, but it means work inside each apartment, so it costs more and takes longer.
3. A full IP or cloud-based system. A networked system with new cabling. It offers the most remote-management features, but it usually costs the most and some platforms carry ongoing fees.
We’ll walk you through the trade-offs for your building and give you prices for the options that fit.
Cost depends on which option you choose, the number of apartments and entrances, and the condition of the wiring. As a rough guide, a video intercom for a small building with one entrance typically costs about $4,000 to $5,000 or more, and video usually adds 15% to 40% over the price of an audio system of the same size. Keeping your existing apartment units and wiring can bring the cost down a lot.
These are average NYC prices, not a fixed price list. For a full breakdown, see our intercom system cost NYC guide. Our Comelit systems are a one-time investment with no monthly payment. Read more about no monthly fee intercom systems.
Start with an inspection, because the wiring and door hardware decide which options are realistic. From there:
Upgrades that keep the existing apartment units are usually the fastest and least disruptive.
Most upgrades happen in occupied buildings, so we plan around your tenants. We prepare the new equipment before we take the old panel down, so the entrance is without an intercom for as little time as possible. For projects that need work inside apartments, we schedule visits in blocks and coordinate access with the super or managing agent. If the old system is still working, it stays in service until the new one is ready.
Many NYC buildings have entrances worth protecting: original stone, brass, or ironwork. We choose panel sizes and finishes that fit, and we try to reuse existing openings instead of cutting new ones. Surface-mount and flush-mount options give flexibility. If your building is a designated landmark or in a historic district, exterior changes may need approval from the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission. Check with your managing agent or architect before the work starts, and we’ll plan the installation around any requirements.
When we upgrade, we remove the old entrance panel and any equipment being replaced, and we leave working apartment units in place if you’re keeping them. The entrance is cleaned up and patched so the new panel looks finished. If you’d like to keep old parts as spares for other buildings you manage, just tell us before the work starts.
For most audio-to-video conversions, we recommend Comelit, because it can work alongside existing intercom units and has no monthly fee. The Comelit Ultra Touch VIP Kit bundles the entrance panel, power supply, and gateway. For large multi-tenant buildings, the Aiphone GT Series is a strong option. For cloud access and facial recognition, we also install the DNAKE S617. We explain any ongoing costs before you choose.
Planning a brand-new system instead? See video intercom installation in NYC.
We work across Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Long Island. If your audio intercom is broken right now, see our intercom repair NYC page.
Learn more about DSS or see what we do on our services page.
In many buildings, yes. Our Comelit video intercom works alongside your existing intercom units, so we often reuse the wiring and replace only damaged runs.
Not always. With a Comelit upgrade, tenants can keep their existing apartment units and also answer the door on their phones. Replacing units with video monitors is an option if you want video in every apartment.
A video intercom for a small building with one entrance typically costs about $4,000 to $5,000 or more. Keeping existing units and wiring can lower the cost. These are average NYC prices, and we give you a free quote.
It depends on the building and the option you choose. Upgrades that keep the apartment units are usually the fastest. We give you a schedule with your quote.
Only briefly. We prepare the new equipment first and keep the old system running until the new one is ready, so the entrance is without an intercom for as little time as possible.
Not with our Comelit systems. They’re a one-time investment with no monthly payment. Property management software and call-log servers are optional and sold separately.
Yes. PIN code entry, key fobs, and temporary access codes can be set up as part of the new system.
We test it during the inspection. If some runs are damaged, we replace only those runs and tell you the cost before you commit.
Often, yes. We choose panels and finishes that fit the entrance. Exterior changes on designated landmarks may need approval from the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, so check before the work starts.
Both let tenants talk to visitors and release the door. Video adds a camera, so tenants can see who’s at the door, and many video systems add phone access, PIN codes, and temporary access codes.
Yes. A video intercom provides two-way voice communication and door release from each apartment, which is what NYC’s intercom rules require. Learn more on our NYC intercom requirements page.
On Comelit video intercom installs, we offer a 3-year guarantee on Comelit material and a 1-year guarantee on service and labor.
Each tenant who wants phone access gets an invitation with instructions. They download the app, sign in, and link it to their apartment. We help anyone who needs it.
Yes. For a house, we replace an old buzzer or audio door station with a video door station, an indoor monitor, and app access, often using the existing wire.
Usually the new entrance panel replaces the old one, but working apartment units can stay in place and keep working alongside the new system. Tell us if you want to keep spare parts.