Network setup quotes can look wildly different from one provider to the next, mostly because of what's included, not because of markup. Here's what actually makes up the cost, and realistic ranges by office size.
The Components That Make Up a Network Setup
- Structured cabling - data points run to desks, meeting rooms, and access points, typically priced per point
- Switches - the hardware that connects all wired devices, sized by port count and whether Power over Ethernet is needed for access points and phones
- Firewall/router - the security gateway between your network and the internet
- Wireless access points - business-grade Wi-Fi, sized to office layout and staff density, not just square metreage
- Configuration and VLANs - the labour to set everything up correctly, including separating guest and business traffic
Realistic Cost Ranges by Office Size
Small Office (up to 10 staff)
Typically $3,000-$8,000 for a full setup in an already-cabled space, or $6,000-$15,000 including new structured cabling. Covers a firewall, one or two switches, two to three access points, and configuration.
Medium Office (10-40 staff)
Typically $8,000-$25,000 depending on cabling requirements and whether the office spans multiple floors or areas needing separate access point coverage. This range often includes a more capable firewall with higher throughput and additional switches.
Larger or Multi-Site Setups
Costs scale well beyond this with additional sites, redundant internet connections, and site-to-site connectivity - see our guide on SD-WAN for Perth businesses if you're connecting multiple locations.
What's Often Missing From a Cheap Quote
The gap between a budget quote and a properly scoped one is usually in what's left out: no VLAN segmentation between guest and business traffic, consumer-grade access points that struggle under real device load, or a firewall sized for a much smaller network than the one being installed. These cuts don't show up as a problem on day one - they show up six months later as dropouts, slow performance, or a security gap nobody planned for.
Ongoing Costs to Budget For
A network setup quote is a one-off cost, but a network isn't a one-off asset. Budget separately for firmware and firmware security updates, firewall licensing renewals (annual, and easy to let lapse unnoticed), and monitoring to catch failing hardware or unusual traffic before it becomes an outage. See our guide on network monitoring for Perth businesses for what this typically covers.
Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Quote
- Is the equipment business-grade, and from a brand with an active local support presence in Australia?
- Does the quote include VLAN segmentation for guest Wi-Fi, or is that an assumed extra?
- Is cabling priced per point, and does that include testing and certification, not just running the cable?
- What's included for ongoing support versus what becomes a separate call-out?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the single biggest cost driver in a network setup?
For a fitout in an existing space, it's usually structured cabling - running data points to every desk, meeting room, and access point. For a business relocating into a fully unfitted space, cabling and any building works needed to run it can end up the largest line item on the whole project.
Can I just use a consumer router and a couple of Wi-Fi extenders instead?
You can, but it tends to cause exactly the problems business-grade equipment is built to avoid - dropouts under real load, no visibility when something goes wrong, and no segmentation between guest and business traffic. It's a false economy once you factor in the productivity cost of an unreliable network.
Does the cost include ongoing maintenance, or just the initial setup?
A network setup quote typically covers hardware, cabling, and configuration only. Ongoing monitoring, firmware updates, and support are usually a separate managed service - worth budgeting for separately since an unmaintained network degrades in reliability and security over time.
How much does a firewall add to the total cost?
A business-grade firewall suited to a small-to-medium office typically runs $800-$2,500 for the hardware, plus an annual licence for security features like content filtering and intrusion prevention - often $300-$800 per year depending on the feature set and office size.
We scope and quote Perth office networks with business-grade equipment and no hidden gaps - cabling, firewall, Wi-Fi, and ongoing support.
Network Setup Services →Planning a new office fitout or network refresh?
Call 0433 087 091 - we'll scope your space and give you a clear, itemised quote before any work begins.
Get a Free Network QuoteFor related reading, see our guides to business Wi-Fi design and the office relocation IT checklist.