We regularly survey BuyerZone users to ask how their purchases went. We've used their most recent responses to provide a sampling of actual prices that different sized businesses paid for their phone systems.
When sizing a phone system, the two things to look for are lines and extensions. Lines (or trunks) indicate how many outgoing phone lines your office will use. Extensions refer to each piece of equipment that will connect to the phone system including the actual phones, fax machines, and credit card terminals.
Make sure the phone system you purchase provides enough room for you to grow. It’s usually more cost-effective to buy a little extra up front than to upgrade your setup later. Also, the system should be compatible with other equipment you plan to use.
Finally, don’t pay a penny until the vendor shows you everything in writing, including the number of phone systems, features, maintenance contracts, cabling and wiring, other services, and your total costs.
Very small business phone systems
“Norstar system with voice mail - 5 handsets, 5 year parts and labor warranty for approximately $2,720.”
- IT consulting firm, Houston, Texas
“Phone system, maintenance, speakerphones, voicemail systems, installation, programming, and training for $4,864.”
- Mortgage Company, Springfield, Missouri
“Starplus STS - 10 phones, 4 lines, 2 analog lines. Installation and training. Recording voicemail, etc. Warranty - 10 years. Approximately $5,500.”
- Advertising agency, Downers Grove, Illinois
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“Total system: $3,750. Includes 4 Toshiba 10-button phones, cabinet, CIX processor and expansion card for up to 6 lines and 16 extensions, 4-port voice processing unit, and battery back-up. Also includes 2-year parts and 1-year labor warranty.”
- Strategic consulting firm, Alexandria, Virginia
“We got NEC IPK II System - 8 outside lines and 8 phone sets for $2,348 (including a $789 BuyerZone discount) with installation & training included and 1-year warranty on parts and labor.
- Insurance company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“NEC, 9 phones, 3 VoIP phones, intercom system, fingerprint door unlock system, recording software, etc. for approximately $10,000.”
- Law firm, Edmond, Oklahoma
“$4,650 includes a small business phone with 8 phones (DX-120), voicemail system, 3 year service contract, installation, training, backup system.”
- Equipment Sales, Cincinnati, Ohio
“$3,895 and I got 8 phones (AT&T) and voicemail and other bells and whistles too new for me to list. Very pleased. Included installation and service warranty.”
“Toshiba, 4 lines, voicemail, 12 phones, 1 dual speaker phone, 5-year warranty (parts & labor) for about $8,000.”
- Construction company, Medfield, Massachusetts
“About $10,000 for NEC Aspire system, installation, training.”
- Non-profit business, Columbus, Ohio
“We paid $6,700 for 18 phones (5 that were 20-button; 4 that were 10-button; 11 that were KSU-less. 12 voicemail boxes, three months unlimited tech support. Lifetime phone help included. Less expensive tech visits after 3-month period compared to other companies.”
- Educational Facility, Brookline, Massachusetts
“$12,378 after tax. That includes 22 12-button phones, one 24-button phone, Panasonic TDA-100 Digital Superhybrid telephone system, KX-TV A50 4-port/4-hour voicemail system, 2-hour battery backup, with installation and training.”
- Consulting Firm, Emeryville, California
“$4,838, Toshiba CIX 40 telephone system for 6 company lines and 16 digital stations including Toshiba cabinet, expansion card, (3) 20-button digital speaker display phones, nine 7-button phones, voicemail system with 4 ports and 20 hours of storage. No service contracts. Promotion included one free short range cordless phone.”
- Accounting Firm, Sullivan, Indiana
“$4,675. Eight 3rd generation phones, 2 large screen phones, auto attendant, 3-key extension unit. 6 lines.”
- Government office, Fairmount Heights, Maryland
“Roughly $7,500. Includes six handsets, a Polycom conference phone, licenses for integration with Microsoft Outlook, VoIP setup, training, and 5-year product warranty.”
- Integration Services, Monterey, California
“About $7,100 for 10 34-button phones (3 of which are upgraded), 4-hour voicemail capability. Can handle 10+ lines, cabling for voice and data, 2-year warranty.”
