CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for security systems services in Richmond, VA
Security systems services in the Richmond, VA metro area: 33 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 22-person team.
- Establishments
- 33CBP 2023
- Employees
- 737mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 2.4U.S. 2.1
- Rank
- 47th of 298areas by count
Security systems services in Richmond, VA by the numbers
There were 33 security systems services in the Richmond, VA metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 561621, Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths)). They employed 737 people in mid-March and paid $49.6 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 47th out of 298 areas with published figures for security systems services.
Measured against its 1.4 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 2.4 security systems services per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 2.1, so Richmond, VA is 14.5% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 22.3 employees, compared with 18.0 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $67,270, 4.0% below the national $70,074.
| Measure | Richmond, VA | Virginia | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 33 | 178 | 7,151 |
| Mid-March employees | 737 | 5,149 (moderate noise) | 128,462 |
| Annual payroll | $49,578,000 | $499,077,000 (moderate noise) | $9,001,839,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 22.3 | 28.9 | 18.0 |
| Payroll per employee | $67,270 | $96,927 | $70,074 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 2.4 | 2.0 | 2.1 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
How big security systems services in Richmond, VA are
Of the security systems services in Richmond, VA that had employees in March 2023, 31.3% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 48.4%). 59.4% had fewer than ten. Small teams usually share the phone: the person who answers is often also serving a customer or doing the job, which is when calls get missed.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 10 | 31.3% | 48.4% |
| 5–9 employees | 9 | 28.1% | 19.3% |
| 10–19 employees | 7 | 21.9% | 13.9% |
| 20–49 employees | 3 | 9.4% | 11.1% |
| 50 or more employees | 3 | 9.4% | 7.3% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Calls a security systems company in Richmond, VA has to catch
Security companies take calls about new installations, alarms and service problems. Existing customers expect quick help when a system misbehaves. That holds for security systems services in Richmond, VA as much as anywhere.
A few of the calls that come in to security systems services in Richmond, VA:
- A builder calls about pre-wiring.
- A customer calls to add a user code.
- A homeowner calls about installing cameras.
What security systems services text about
Companies text appointment confirmations and service updates.
Because carriers require registration for business texting from local numbers, Callata files a 10DLC registration for a one-time $49; after approval, anyone on the team can reply from the business number.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for security systems services in Richmond, VA
The average security systems company in Richmond, VA has 22.3 employees, so a 22-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $548.90 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $660.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $439.00 a month for 22 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $2,652 less than RingCentral for a security systems company in Richmond, VA of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $439.00 | $5,268.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $418.00 | $5,016.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $506.00 | $6,072.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $548.90 | $6,586.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $594.00 | $7,128.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $660.00 | $7,920.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Which area code to use in Richmond, VA
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 5 area codes. 804 has the most, with 461 of 489 exchanges (94%). A local number lets customers in Richmond, VA call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 804 | 461 | Eastern | 1973 | 686 |
| 686 | 19 | Eastern | 2024 | 804 |
| 757 | 4 | Eastern | 1996 | 948 |
| 434 | 4 | Eastern | 2001 | none |
| 948 | 1 | Eastern | 2022 | 757 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
How Callata works for security systems services
For $99 a month, Callata puts a team of up to 5 on one plan ($20 for each person after that): up to 3 local numbers, unlimited inbound calls, a pooled allowance of 1,500 outbound US and Canada minutes per user, browser and cell calling, voicemail transcription with urgency triage, recorded calls with AI summaries and business-hours routing, with E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Richmond, VA is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many security systems services are there in Richmond, VA?
Census County Business Patterns counted 33 security systems services in the Richmond, VA metro area in 2023. They employed 737 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 22-person security systems company?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 22 users cost $660.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $548.90 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $439.00.
What area code should a security systems company in Richmond, VA use?
Area code 804 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 686 and 757. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a security systems company?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.