Factors That Influence Commercial CCTV Installation Costs
When it comes to your business, security should be one of your top priorities. While we want to say that price should not be an issue, we understand that that is unrealistic; for small to mid-sized businesses, price is always going to be play a factor. However, whatever your budget looks like, you should allocate a significant portion of it to security measures. But how much, exactly, are we talking here?
Because a CCTV surveillance system is not “one size fits all,” it’s difficult to give a hard number that is accurate. Every commercial security system is going to be different, as every building is different, every office layout is different, and every business owners’ needs are different. That said, there are a few factors that affect the price of surveillance system installation.
CCTV Installation Price Includes
The Cameras
What type of cameras you choose to buy will greatly affect the cost of CCTV installation. Cameras range in price, from low-cost to high-end. While you may blanch at the cost of some surveillance cameras, the more expensive cameras can actually save you money in the long run. Cameras such as Fish-Eye and PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) can monitor an area much larger than a fixed camera, therefore negating the need for multiple cameras and excessive wiring. Wireless cameras also come with a higher price tag but again, they require less wiring and are easier to install.
When considering what cameras you want to buy, also think about whether or not you want colored footage; the ability to stream footage to your phone, laptop or other remote device; whether you want it to be able to detect motion; and how high (or low) of a resolution you want.
Recording Devices
While real time footage is the best for being able to respond to crime as it is happening, you will not be able to catch everything, which is why it is a good idea to have the cameras set to record. By having at least a day’s worth of footage recorded, you can go back to review it if something does happen so that you can at least identify the perpetrator. That said, determine how much recording space you need and how you want to be able to access your footage.
Monitors
The monitors you will need all depends on the size of your operation. If you are a small business with only a handful of employees and your goal for CCTV surveillance is to monitor employee productivity and/or a small, one-room space, you can get away without using any monitors at all—simply access the footage from your computer or smartphone. However, if you have a larger operation and need to monitor multiple spaces, you may want to invest in multi-screen technology, or even just a single monitor that can display the footage clearly. The cost of your monitors all depends on their features, with a single screen monitor being less expensive than that of a multi-screen one.
Installation
The cost of installation ultimately boils down to the above factors: how many cameras you want installed and what type they are; what type of recording devices you are going to want to use; and what type of monitors you want set up. This is because each of these factors affects how difficult installation will be. If you want cameras set up in hard to reach areas, expect to pay more. You will pay more for system installation in larger and more complex areas as well, something to keep in mind for building owners with tricky layouts.
Beware of Low Cost Installation
Before selecting a security company to work with, gather multiple estimates. If one company’s estimate is far below that of all the others, be wary. Low cost surveillance system installation is not necessarily a good thing. The truth is that surveillance technology is fairly pricey, and any company that offers always-low prices may not be able to support their systems later on down the road. Additionally, they could go out of business because of this, leaving you without a security system and having to start all over. Like with most things, low price almost always equates to low quality.