Installing and repairing security systems: CCTV and alarms
Which system you need
Security systems include video surveillance, burglar and fire alarms, video door phones and access control. They are often combined: cameras watch the yard, motion and door sensors guard the house, and a siren and phone alerts warn you of trouble.
Before you write a request, think about what you want to protect and from what. For a flat a few cameras in the corridor and an alarm on the door are enough; for a private house with a plot you need outdoor cameras with night vision and sensors around the boundary.
What to put in your request
- Type of system — video surveillance, alarm, door phone, access control.
- What to do — install from scratch, extend an existing system, repair or upgrade.
- Quantity of cameras, sensors or access points.
- Property — flat, house, plot, office, warehouse, area.
- Equipment — preferred make or resolution, or “you choose”.
- Monitoring — whether you want it connected to a monitoring station with a response team.
- Address and budget.
Example: “Adelaide, private house, plot of 4,000 sq ft. I need 4 IP cameras of 4 MP (a well-known brand preferred) with recording to a recorder and access from my phone. Run the cables neatly, without cutting into the facade. Budget up to $600.”
How to compare offers
It is easy to compare unfairly here. Two offers for “4 cameras” can differ completely in quality. Ask about:
- the resolution of the cameras and whether they have night vision;
- the type of system: IP cameras powered over a network cable, or analogue;
- the disk capacity and how many days of recording it holds;
- whether there is remote access and whether you pay a monthly fee for it;
- whether cable, installation, setup and training are included.
For monitored security, compare the subscription fee and the terms of the contract, as well as the response time of the team.
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
You describe the job once on the home page, and technicians and security companies in your area reply with offers in chat. They see where they stand and can improve the equipment or the price. Your phone stays hidden until you choose a contractor. Read how it all works on the “How it works” page.
Common mistakes
People often buy cheap cameras with no night vision or a poor viewing angle, and then find that at night they see only darkness. Another mistake is not planning where the cable will run and where the recorder will stand. One more is leaving the default password on the recorder: change it at once and update the firmware.
For power and wiring you will need electrical installation, and for work at height construction crews with scaffolding can help.
