It’s true that installing CCTV systems in and around your property is expensive. Most CCTV installations will cost from a couple of hundred to several thousand dollars depending upon the exact kind of surveillance system, the amount of cameras needed, and whether you choose a professional installation or do it yourself. In addition, the more sophisticated a system is, the more you’ll pay to have it installed. So how do you find the best deals on CCTV installation? Let us take a look at some of the things you should consider before making your purchase.
If you already have a property with CCTV security cameras then you’re in luck. Installing CCTV installation isn’t difficult and there are plenty of companies who will sell you a complete CCTV system. Be careful though, as these are usually top of the range models which are quite expensive. If your budget is very limited then you’ll need to do a little research and see what you can find online or from security cameras distributors in your area.
If you don’t already own a CCTV system then you need to consider purchasing a pre-built CCTV kit. These systems normally come complete with all the cabling and CCTV cameras, you need to complete your home security cameras package. However, there are other ways to save money on your cctv installation. You can either buy CCTV cameras that already have wiring running through them, or you can buy CCTV cameras pre-wired. The advantage of pre-wired security cameras is that all of the cabling will already be running through them, so you won’t need to spend time finding and installing individual wires.
Before buying a CCTV system you need to decide what kind of installation is required. For basic installation you’ll probably want to stick to the cctv cabling that’s included in the security cameras themselves. You can find CCTV cabling online, in security equipment stores, or from security professionals in your area. Often it’s easier to just order a kit and then put all the cabling together yourself, though this depends largely on how much cabling you have available.
The next step is to decide where to mount your CCTV cameras. If you want to go for an overhead installation then you need to know the height at which the cameras need to be installed from the ground upwards. This will impact on which direction the cables need to run, so if you’re not very experienced at DIY this may not be a simple task. Most professional companies will have some advice on what heights are best for these cameras. When doing so make sure you don’t compromise on cable run lengths, as long run lengths allow you to hide CCTV cameras underneath shrubbery and soffits etc.
Once you’ve ordered the CCTV cameras and cabling, you need to choose a power source. These days, most of the systems are supplied with a standard power supply but it is still worth consulting a professional to check. Some of the more sophisticated surveillance systems will use solar power or an alternative energy source such as a windmill or a small generator. Power requirements can be increased later on if you opt to incorporate a video recording device.
If you’ve not got a lot of experience with DIY then you might want to consider hiring a professional company to install CCTV systems for you. These systems can be very complicated, particularly if you’ve never built one before, and there’s also the issue of hooking up the monitor to a source of power. You might also have to worry about trying to find a location in your property where the monitor can be mounted. In fact, if you have already had CCTV installed in your home then you’ll probably have no problem locating a suitable place to install cctv monitors. You should ask your security company where the best locations are, as they will know where they can best hide the monitor in your home.
Once the cctv installation is completed, you should take time to check all the cables for any damage. Incorrect wiring methods could mean that a costly mistake is made during the installation which could leave you with a faulty security camera system. It might also be useful to have a second opinion, so ask your security provider if they can check your cctv cables for damage for you. If you don’t have experience with cctv installation yourself then seeking professional advice might be a good idea. You should also ask a professional what the various components of your system require, and how they might be connected.
