Cost guide · DAS and ERRCS
How much does DAS installation cost?
Per-square-foot ranges for cellular DAS and code-required ERRCS, what drives them, and what a fire-marshal-ready quote includes.
The short answer
In Southern California, cellular DAS typically costs $2 to $4 per square foot installed and public safety ERRCS $1 to $3 per square foot. A single mid-size building's ERRCS usually lands between $30,000 and $80,000 from survey to fire marshal sign-off. Building construction, size, signal source and local fire code requirements decide where you land.
Which system
Cellular DAS or ERRCS?
| Cellular DAS | ERRCS (public safety) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Phone coverage for occupants | Fire and police radio coverage |
| Required? | Optional | Required by the California Fire Code for many buildings |
| Signal source | Off-air or carrier-fed | Off-air booster (BDA) |
| Approval | Carrier coordination | Fire marshal acceptance test |
| Typical cost | $2–$4 per sq ft | $1–$3 per sq ft |
Many buildings need both. Pricing them together shares the pathways, risers and labor. See DAS installation in Los Angeles.
Where the money goes
What you pay for
| Cost layer | What it covers | Typical share |
|---|---|---|
| Survey and design | Signal testing, RF design and the fire marshal submittal | 10–15% |
| Head-end equipment | Booster or DAS head-end, battery backup, enclosures, annunciator | 25–35% |
| Distribution | Antennas, coax or fiber, splitters, and installation labor | 40–50% |
| Testing and acceptance | Coverage re-test, documentation and fire marshal sign-off | 5–10% |
Cost drivers
What moves the price
Construction
Concrete, low-E glass and below-grade floors block signal and need more antennas.
Size and floors
Riser access and reusable pathways decide labor efficiency.
Signal source
Off-air boosters are faster and cheaper; carrier-fed systems add cost and months.
Local fire code
Each fire authority sets frequencies, battery runtime and testing details.
Pathways
Reusable conduit and risers cut the distribution cost.
Ceilings
Hard-lid ceilings take more labor than accessible tile.
Examples
Typical project budgets
| Building | Scope | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-size office, ~60,000 sq ft | ERRCS for certificate of occupancy | $60,000–$150,000 |
| Warehouse, ~250,000 sq ft | ERRCS plus cellular on shared pathways | $250,000–$700,000 |
| Campus or multi-building | Phased, per-building systems | Scoped per building |
Comparing quotes
What a complete quote includes
- A measured signal survey, not an estimate from floor plans
- RF design with predicted coverage maps
- Fire marshal requirements by city: frequencies, battery runtime, enclosures and annunciator
- Cabling and pathways itemized
- Acceptance testing through sign-off
- Annual retesting, which many fire authorities require
An ERRCS that fails the fire marshal's coverage test isn't a discount. It's a do-over that can hold up your certificate of occupancy.
FAQ
DAS cost questions
How much does DAS cost per square foot?
Cellular DAS typically runs $2 to $4 per square foot installed in Southern California, and ERRCS $1 to $3 per square foot.
What's the difference between cellular DAS and ERRCS?
Cellular DAS improves phone coverage and is optional. ERRCS carries fire and police radio and is required by the California Fire Code for many buildings.
Is ERRCS required in California?
For many new and renovated buildings, yes. Buildings that fail a responder radio coverage test typically must install ERRCS before receiving a certificate of occupancy.
What drives DAS cost the most?
Building size and construction, the signal source, local fire code requirements and the cable pathways.
How long does installation take?
A single-building ERRCS typically takes several weeks from survey to acceptance. Carrier-fed cellular DAS can add months for carrier approval.
Is a signal booster cheaper than DAS?
Yes, for mid-size buildings with usable outdoor signal. See our WilsonPro booster page.
Related
Related guides and services
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