31 Jul 10 Tips for Choosing a Surveillance Camera Installation Business

How to Choose a Surveillance Camera Installation Business

There are many reasons why you should invest in a surveillance system from your home or business. An adequate surveillance system can provide an extra level of security that allows you to keep eyes on the property no matter what time of day. You can also monitor certain areas to ensure safety and privacy. It’s important to choose a surveillance installation business that has the experience and who you can trust.

Here are ten tips for choosing a surveillance camera installation business to install video cameras on your property:

1. Choose a Video Installation Business With Experience in Surveillance Camera Installation
2. Residential Surveillance or Commercial Surveillance?
3. Choose a Surveillance Camera Installation Business That Is Familiar With Your Industry
4. Have You Already Purchased Surveillance Hardware to be Installed?
5. Are You Looking to Have an Entire Surveillance System Installed?

1. Choose a Video Installation Business With Experience in Surveillance Camera Installation

As you look for a surveillance camera installation business, be sure to choose a business that has had experience with surveillance and installing hardware that will keep your property secure. Surveillance systems are unique in camera placement and cabling so that the footage can all be accessed from a central point. If you hire a company that is not familiar with this technology, there may be wasted time and expenses.

An experienced surveillance camera installation technician can advise you on the best place to put your surveillance cameras and inform you about the best surveillance hardware to buy. An experienced technician will be able to survey your property and point out the areas susceptible to crime scenes, accidents, or other suspicious activity. Their input will benefit you in the future.

2. Residential Surveillance or Commercial Surveillance? 

Another thing to consider as you look for a surveillance camera installation company is do you need surveillance for a residential or commercial property? Some surveillance installation companies only service one or the other. 

Residential and commercial surveillance can differ in several ways. Commercial surveillance systems should include hardware that can capture footage over a broad area, like a warehouse or a retail floor. These surveillance systems are connected through network cabling that will usually meet in a security room. Many commercial surveillance cameras have optical zoom, where they can be zoomed in and out to capture more detail.

A residential surveillance system may be simpler compared to a commercial surveillance system. Residential systems will usually have simpler hardware installed in strategic places around the property. This hardware can focus on a fixed spot or scan back and forth. Footage can usually be accessed through a cell phone or computer.

3. Choose a Surveillance Camera Installation Business That Is Familiar With Your Industry

If you are looking for a surveillance camera installation business to install cameras on your business space, it’s important to choose a company that has experience in your specific industry. 

Just about every commercial property requires surveillance cameras these days; however, the industry you work in can have demands for a certain type of security system. Take the retail industry for example; you’ll want a system that can scan a broad retail floor while also having cameras focusing on individual displays. This can allow you to see when something has been stolen. On the other hand, an office building may have more closed off areas, but a room overview camera for each location.

Aspects of your industry can determine where surveillance cameras are placed. For example, churches will usually have cameras in their nurseries and children’s rooms to ensure the safety of the children. Government institutions, like police stations and jails, will have cameras in almost every room, including interview rooms and jail cells.

4. Have You Already Purchased Surveillance Hardware to be Installed?

Have you already purchased surveillance hardware to be installed, or are you looking for someone that can help you find the specific surveillance cameras and hardware you need? Some surveillance camera installation companies will only install equipment that they are familiar with while others will be more apt to take on different equipment. 

Some surveillance camera installation companies are more open to consulting and giving advice compared to others. If you are someone who values a professional’s opinion, then these companies may be better for you. They can let you know what areas need to be monitored and what’s the best hardware and equipment to do that.

5. Are You Looking to Have an Entire Surveillance System Installed?

Do you need an entire surveillance system installed, including hardware, cabling, and a video management system? Or are you looking for someone to simply mount cameras on your building? The answers to these questions can determine which surveillance camera installation business you choose. 

Having a whole surveillance system installed will require a skilled and experienced professional. Not only will they be installing the equipment and connecting it all together, and ensuring you can access it, but they will also be responsible for the system working correctly. 

6. Choose a Surveillance Installation Company With Good Credentials

One thing you can use to help determine which video surveillance company you go with is their credentials. Research your state’s laws to see what the state requires for this type of company to be in business. Make sure that the company you hire is licensed and insured as they should be. Their team will be working in and around your house. They’ll need to utilize safety procedures when they get on the roof and walk through yard to access various areas to place the cameras. It’s a good idea to have a qualified installation company with a good reputation.

Does the surveillance camera installation business guarantee a warranty on their work? It can be expensive to have a surveillance system installed, and it can be even more expensive when done poorly. A warranty guarantees that the work is done properly and that you know you got what you paid for.

7. Choose a Surveillance Camera Installation Business That’s Willing to Train You on the Technology

The worst thing is when you pay to have a surveillance system installed, but you have no idea how to use it or access the footage once the technicians leave. A good surveillance camera installation company will ensure that you feel confident in managing the system before they leave.

Your installation technician should be able to explain to you how your surveillance system works. They will give you information on how to access the system to control the cameras and watch the footage. While this may be overwhelming in the beginning, your technician should help you to feel confident when it comes to managing your surveillance system.

8. Choose a Surveillance Installation Company That Surveys Your Property

When you contact a surveillance camera installation company, do they say anything about assessing the property? A good surveillance installation company would want to look over the property, including your yard and driveway, to find the areas in need of a video camera. When they have access to maps and property information, they’ll be able to install a more adequate and effective surveillance system.

The company should also leave you a map or a list of the locations of all the surveillance hardware pieces. If you have a large commercial building you need to monitor, certain surveillance cameras can easily get overlooked or forgotten about. When you have a list of all camera locations, you can use the surveillance system to its fullest potential.

9. Choose a Surveillance Installation Company That’s Attentive to Other Factors

A good surveillance installation company will be attentive to other factors that can alter how well you will be able to monitor your property. This can include lighting and obstructions that keep the video cameras from capturing adequate footage.

Nothing is worse than going back to watch surveillance footage just to realize that there was poor lighting or something in the way. If a surveillance installation company wants to provide exceptional service, they will advise you on how you can make the area you are surveilling more visible. They may advise that you move a partition or a plant, or add a street lamp to the parking lot. While this may not seem like a big deal at first, this can determine how well you can monitor your property.

10. Choose a Surveillance Camera Installation Business That Provides On-Going Maintenance

Eventually, your surveillance technology will need to be maintained and repaired. It’s important that you have a business that knows your surveillance system to provide maintenance.

Each surveillance system is different, and if someone isn’t familiar with its components, it can be damaged further. Find a company that will not only provide installation of the system, but on-going maintenance as well. This will give you peace of mind when it comes to having a piece of equipment repaired.

A good surveillance system will provide an extra level of security and safety to your property. A good surveillance camera installation business will ensure that the surveillance system meets your needs and adequately monitors the property. To know more about surveillance systems, visit the homepage of our Tulsa Surveillance Video Installation Company website here.