Most small businesses start with whatever router the internet provider left behind. It works until it doesn't: the back office drops calls on video meetings, the card reader loses its connection at lunch rush, and guests are on the same network as the office computers. Business Wi-Fi fixes that with a few pieces of equipment placed and set up properly. Here's what you need and what it costs.
The short answer
- You need three things: a gateway (router and firewall), a PoE switch, and enough access points mounted where the people are.
- Equipment for a small office on UniFi starts around $600 at current list prices. Larger spaces and multi-floor buildings run into the low thousands.
- Installation is the biggest variable. It depends mostly on how many cable runs you need and how hard your building is to wire.
- No monthly license. UniFi doesn't charge a yearly fee per access point to manage your network.
What makes Wi-Fi "business" Wi-Fi
It isn't a faster box. It's a different design:
| Provider router or mesh kit | Business Wi-Fi system | |
|---|---|---|
| Access points | One router, or mesh units relaying signal to each other | Several access points, each wired back with Ethernet |
| Power | Plugged into outlets | Powered over the network cable (PoE) |
| Separate networks | Main and guest, at most | Staff, guest, cameras, payment and devices each on their own network |
| Roaming | Devices hang on to a weak signal | Tuned so phones and laptops move between access points |
| Management | A local login nobody remembers | One app, remote access, alerts when something goes down |
The parts of the system
- Gateway. Sits behind your internet provider's modem. It routes traffic, runs the firewall and keeps your networks separated. You keep your current internet service.
- PoE switch. Connects everything and powers the access points (and any cameras or door readers) over the same cable.
- Access points. Mounted on ceilings or walls where people actually use Wi-Fi. This is where coverage comes from.
- Cabling. One network cable from each access point back to the switch. See network cabling.
Equipment prices
We install UniFi, Ubiquiti's network system, for most business Wi-Fi jobs.
Prices below are Ubiquiti's US store prices as of October 2026, before tax and any import surcharge. Prices change from time to time, so we confirm current pricing on every quote.
Access points (Wi-Fi 7)
| Access point | Price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| U7 Lite | $99 | Small offices, back rooms, light use |
| U7 Pro | $189 | The everyday choice for offices, shops and restaurants |
| U7 Pro Wall | $199 | Wall mounting where a ceiling mount doesn't work |
| U7 Pro Max | $279 | Busy spaces with a lot of devices at once |
| U7 Pro Outdoor | $279 | Patios, yards, loading docks and parking areas |
Gateways
| Gateway | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Gateway Ultra | $129 | Compact; fine for a small office |
| Dream Machine Pro | $379 | Rack-mount; can also record UniFi cameras |
| Dream Machine Pro Max | $599 | Rack-mount, for larger offices and buildings |
PoE switches
| Switch | Price | PoE ports / power |
|---|---|---|
| Switch Lite 8 PoE | $109 | 8 ports / 52W |
| Switch Pro Max 16 PoE | $399 | 16 ports / 180W |
| Switch Pro Max 24 PoE | $799 | 24 ports / 400W |
As with cameras, the power budget matters as much as the port count. If the same switch will power cameras or door readers later, we size it for that now.
Three example systems (equipment only)
| System | Equipment | Approx. equipment cost* |
|---|---|---|
| Small office or shop, one floor | Cloud Gateway Ultra + Switch Lite 8 PoE + 2× U7 Pro | ~$616 |
| Larger office or restaurant | Dream Machine Pro + Switch Pro Max 16 PoE + 4× U7 Pro | ~$1,534 |
| Multi-floor building with an outdoor area | Dream Machine Pro Max + Switch Pro Max 24 PoE + 6× U7 Pro + 2× U7 Pro Wall + 1× U7 Pro Outdoor | ~$3,209 |
*Before cable, mounts, a rack or battery backup, tax and installation. The right number of access points comes from a walkthrough, not a formula.
How many access points do you need?
Square footage is only part of it. Three things matter more:
- Walls. Plaster, brick, block and concrete, common in older Cleveland buildings, stop Wi-Fi far more than drywall. An open-plan office needs fewer access points than a building full of small rooms.
- People and devices. A conference room, a dining room or a classroom full of phones needs more capacity than a quiet hallway.
- Where Wi-Fi has to work. Back offices, basements, stock rooms, patios and the far end of a warehouse each tend to need their own access point.
We work this out on a walkthrough before recommending any equipment, so you don't pay for access points you don't need or end up with a dead corner.
What drives installation cost
- Number of cable runs. Each access point needs its own cable back to the switch. More access points, more runs.
- Ceilings and walls. Drop ceilings are quick to work above. Hard ceilings, plaster, brick and multiple floors take longer.
- Existing cable. Cable already in the walls can often be reused if it tests good, which saves labor.
- The network closet. A clean rack is quick to work in. A tangle of old equipment and unlabeled cables may need cleaning up first.
- Setup. Separate networks for staff, guests, cameras and payment terminals, firewall rules, and tuning so devices roam properly.
- Timing. Work done before or after business hours, so you aren't shut down while we install.
Every quote starts with a free walkthrough and comes back itemized: each access point, the gateway, switch, cable runs and labor. Nothing starts until you approve it.
Ongoing costs
Some business Wi-Fi platforms charge a yearly license for every access point, and the network stops being manageable if it lapses. UniFi doesn't: the management app, remote access and updates are included with the hardware. Your ongoing costs are your internet bill and, if you want someone keeping an eye on it, a network support plan or per-call help.
One network for Wi-Fi, cameras and doors
The same gateway and PoE switch can run UniFi cameras and door access, all in one app. If you're planning cameras or fob entry later, it's worth sizing the switch for them now. See what a UniFi Protect camera system costs and our guide to key fob and buzzer entry systems.
Get a quote
We install business Wi-Fi for offices, shops, restaurants, churches, warehouses and multi-tenant buildings across Greater Cleveland. See how our Wi-Fi installs work, or call or text (216) 232-5975, every day 7am–9pm.
Sources
Equipment prices from Ubiquiti's US store, checked October 2026: Wi-Fi · Cloud gateways · Switching.
Frequently asked
How much does business Wi-Fi cost?
On UniFi, equipment for a small one-floor office starts around $600 at current list prices for a gateway, PoE switch and two access points. Larger and multi-floor spaces run into the low thousands. Installation depends on how many cable runs you need and how hard the building is to wire. We quote it free after a walkthrough.
Do I have to change my internet provider?
No. We install the gateway behind the modem you already have and work with whatever internet service comes into the building.
Is mesh Wi-Fi good enough for a business?
For a very small space it can be. Mesh units pass signal to each other wirelessly and lose speed at each hop. Access points wired back with Ethernet are faster and more consistent, so that's what we recommend wherever cable can be run.
Can guests use our Wi-Fi without reaching our office computers?
Yes. Guest Wi-Fi goes on its own network that can reach the internet but not your computers, cameras or payment terminals.
Is there a monthly fee for UniFi Wi-Fi?
No. There's no per-access-point license. The app, remote management and updates come with the hardware.