Hiring a CCTV camera installation company can be intimidating, especially if this is your first time. First, you must ask the right questions to ensure hiring the right company. Hopefully, this guide will help you with that task.

 1) What Is My Budget? 

Most people want to know how much a security camera system will cost them upfront. Unfortunately, it’s only possible to put an exact price on your new video surveillance system once we visit your site and conduct an in-person audit and consultation. Several key factors affect supply & installation costs, including property size and layout; the number of exterior cameras; interior cameras; storage options (cloud or local); cable access and integrations. At our initial consultation, our experienced team can provide some ballpark figures for your custom system. One thing for sure is the price shouldn’t be one of your primary concerns when sourcing a security company. While you should factor total outlay into your decision-making process, it should be a low priority because even if another company is willing to install a less expensive setup, they might not match everything else you’re looking for! Be sure to ask other questions before making any decisions. You don’t need to ask us all eight here; however, make sure you at least cover these five vital ones. Ensure the salesperson’s or technician’s responses meet your needs and mitigate any concerns you have. After all, it’s your investment you are protecting. 

1. Does Your System Offer Privacy & Security Against Cyber Crime?  
2. What Kind of Storage Is Available & Best Suited to Me?
3. Are These Products Purchased From Approved Distributors Or An Online Retailer?
4. What If I Need Support Post Installation? 
5. Are You Qualified & Licensed To Carry Out The Installation?

Making these enquiries now may reduce costly backtracking later down the track. So, if budget isn’t important right now, but full cloud integration is something you want down the line, consider asking potential partners whether they’ll provide free updates and their timeframe for implementing software upgrades once available.

 2) How Do I Protect My Privacy?

Let’s be honest: if you’re installing security cameras, your goal is not to make every patron of your home or business feel like they’re being watched. Instead, you aim to protect your premises and secure yourself against theft and other threats. This doesn’t mean you must sacrifice privacy to secure your business. Find out what steps security camera companies take to ensure that their surveillance systems don’t violate your personal, customer or employee’s privacy rights. There are many tactics to protect privacy, some as simple as camera positioning; other methods are more advanced, like privacy masking in the software settings.

3) What Types Of Cameras Are Used?

After you’ve decided on a company, it’s time to select the appropriate cameras and other security-related hardware. While there are many different types of cameras, your best bet is to choose an all-in-one system that combines intelligent camera technology and video recording in one device. Make sure each camera will record separately from other cameras (so if one breaks or malfunctions, it doesn’t take out your whole system), as well as include intelligent features such as high-definition resolution and infrared night vision or night colour vision capability. If you have specific needs—like keeping an eye on your furry friend during work hours—ask whether those features are available.

4) Will I Have Trouble Viewing Recorded Footage?

You want to ensure you can easily access, live view, and review the recorded footage. If you’re going to have an expensive security camera system installed, you want to enjoy its benefits. In addition, it’s always helpful if your security company offers a remote access solution so that even if you are away from your home or business, you can still access your footage easily. It’s also vital to ask your contractor how your CCTV system monitors their health status. A sound quality system should be able to monitor the status of your recorder and CCTV cameras 24/7. Monitored notifications should include the minimum;  

• Camera Fail/Disconnect
• HDD (Storage Hard Drive) Full Or Failed
• Network Disconnected
• IP Address Conflicted
• Illegal Login

5) Is There Any Additional/After Costs?

As discussed, companies charge two main price points for security camera installation: an hourly and flat rate. On average, you’ll pay more to hire an installer who charges by the hour. Don’t expect your security camera installation to be done in just one hour—unless it’s small-scale and basic. A professional will also always provide you with an estimate based on what they see during your consultation so that you know what you’re paying for. Your invoice should include everything installed, including any equipment and supplies used. Always ask if there are additional after-costs before signing a contract or committing to an installation. Sometimes add-ons like viewing monitors, extra hard drive storage, router upgrades etc., can drive up prices. Some installations may require setup fees in addition to their monthly monitoring fees. However, many systems are available that support no ongoing subscription costs or monitoring fees.

6) Does the Firm Offer 24/7 Emergency Support?

If there’s an urgent issue with your CCTV camera installation, you want to be able to call your security contractor and get help as soon as possible. After all, that’s why you chose them in the first place! Make sure they offer support around-the-clock before signing any contracts. While it may seem like a given at first glance, most companies don’t offer 24/7 support; make sure yours does before starting work.

7) Can They Provide Equipment That Complies With My State’s Video Surveillance Laws?

All states and local councils have security camera laws that dictate where, when, and how video surveillance equipment can be installed. Because rules differ from state to state, you should check with your local authorities before hiring a security camera company. If you install cameras without following these regulations, you could face steep fines or criminal charges. Licensed security companies know all these regulations inside and out; if they don’t work in your area (or are unfamiliar with its laws), that’s probably not a good sign! Make sure to ask if they generally service your location; so you can be confident they know what they’re doing and will follow regulations.

8) Will the CCTV Installation Cause Interference or Impact With Other Electronic Devices in My Home or Business?

 There are many other electronic devices that you may have installed in your home or business, such as smart TVs, laptops, phones, PCs, Wi-Fi routers and even phone lines. If any of these items are installed within your premises, you’ll want to ask about any potential interference or possible impact on existing devices. Your technician should be able to highlight if any interference/impact is likely and what you can do about it. If not, they aren’t qualified to install a CCTV system for you. It’s best to know ahead of time so you can select an installation location based on how much potential interference there is.