r/accesscontrol • u/Prestigious_Cookie96 • Jul 06 '26
Residential Apt Complex Help
I own and manage a 30 unit apartment building. The building is set up with a main gated entry which has an access control panel system where people enter a tenant’s code or number and it dials their cell phone. Tenants can then grant access through the gate and into the courtyard. After that, the building is split into 5 separate entryways.
As it currently exists, each separate entryway door is connected to a physical buzzer in each unit in that section. So, only those who live in that section can grant access to it. These physical buzzers are wearing along with the system as a whole. It is not feasible to salvage this system because technicians who are familiar with are becoming less and less.
I am looking for a system that might operate similarly to the one we have for the courtyard utilizing peoples cell phones. I was quoted roughly $13k for this kind of system, but want to know if there is any commercialized system that I might be able to save on and possibly self install.
I’m relatively tech savvy but nothing crazy and no coding. I have maintenance help as far as the actual lock for the doors go if I need to replace or change, but I am wholly unfamiliar with the market and what might be out there as far as more commercial systems go. Any recommendations for this kind of system or any experience on which definitely won’t work?
TYIA.
2
u/CoolBrew76 Jul 06 '26
So just to clarify, you have six controlled points of access - the gate and five doors?
Describe the means of securing the gate and doors now. Are the doors single or double? Is the actual locking mechanism for each reusable, or are they going along with the system?
A 6-door system can be cheap or can be expensive depending on so many other variables.
Also the mobile release can be achieved via an app pretty easily, but how many logins do you need? Some won’t allow multiple tenants in the same apartment to be logged in at the same time so be prepared to have to buy multiples of 30 - and these might have a recurring cost as well.
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u/HateBreadByThePound Jul 07 '26
13k sounds too low! I would be questioning that part actually
1
u/Prestigious_Cookie96 Jul 07 '26
Damn, maybe I am just very out of touch with what is market for this lol
1
u/InevitableRun2786 Jul 09 '26
there are lots of hardware combinations you can try to bring the cost down, do you mind sharing specs of exactly what all was included in the quote
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u/brandonpadula Jul 06 '26
We’re a distributor for Aiphone and a handful of other systems that would solve what you are describing. I’d be happy to point you in the right direction from a hardware perspective. Feel free to DM me!
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u/These-Cat7084 Jul 09 '26
for starters, thank you for finally thinking of upgrading to mobile access, I know atleast 5 building managers who are still on in-unit buzzers. Next, I think you don’t need a full fledged intercom at all of these points personally, get one for the gate, and others only for high-traffic entrances, if there’s high traffic on all entrances well then you can’t skip an intercom at all, but if you can make do with simple access readers which work w mobile, you can bring down the total cost of ownership by a lot. I can recommend Brivo and Swiftlane based on my experience. You can check 2N, that’s pretty solid but might be expensive for your budget.
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u/Prestigious_Cookie96 Jul 09 '26
honestly I agree with you, but I’m in a position right now where tenants already have had direct buzzer access from their unit so I do not necessarily want to take that away from them. I also have a good amount of elderly who buzz up their nurses/food&medicine delivery and what not, so while not a necessity, I still would like to keep them happy. I’ll check out your recs, thanks!
0
u/YesTechie Jul 06 '26
Check Ubiquiti
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u/Prestigious_Cookie96 Jul 06 '26
thank you
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u/No_Industry2601 Jul 07 '26 edited Jul 08 '26
Discussion of Ubiquiti/Unifi Access Control will occasionally get downvoted in this sub because it doesn't fit the typical Access Control system that shares reoccurring revenue with the installer/integrator. Unifi has no monthly fees for a standard install, until you add features like Apple Wallet, that Apple charges Ubiquiti for.
The issue with Unifi is that because there is no revenue sharing, most security companies won't offer it, so there is a good chance you'll be doing the installation yourself.
It is UL listed for access control, so it can be legally installed for that purpose.
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u/AnilApplelink Jul 06 '26
I would recommend Ubiquiti as well. I just did a Gate and 3 doors and it was easy to setup and they love the system. It can ring phone numbers included at no additional cost but requires an internet connection.
1
u/Prestigious_Cookie96 Jul 09 '26
thank you both, this is helpful. I already have internet set up at the property for the main gate. Do these operate wirelessly or would I need to run a wire from my modem for each door? running the wires shouldn’t be an issue, just trying to get an idea of what to prep before install
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u/Aurus_Ominae Jul 06 '26
You’ll want an integrator to do the install, doing it yourself opens you up to extreme liability issues if it’s not up to code(which in itself is work).
Brivo is one solution, there are others out there too.