Many homeowners are turning to CCTV to improve the safety and security of their homes. From keeping an eye on their property to deterring criminals and burglars, CCTV holds many benefits when it comes to improving home security. With nearly 410,000 reported domestic UK burglaries within the last year, there is reason in installing a home CCTV system. However, many face the issue of how to choose a CCTV installer for the job. Within this article, we cover what you need to look out for when it comes to choosing a reputable CCTV installer.
How do I choose a CCTV installer?
With so many CCTV installers out there, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to choosing an installer for your new CCTV system. When carrying out your search, we recommend you look out for the following:
Legitimacy
Try to analyse the legitimacy of the installer. This can be difficult, but a good place to start is checking out their website and social media pages, to see if they are up to date. Any affiliation or partnership with other companies or manufacturers is also a good indicator that they are a viable business. Checking to see if the installer has a registered address or a head office is also recommended. Although all these things alone, don’t guarantee a high-quality service, it is all part of the search in finding a reputable installer.
Accreditations
There are certain accreditations to look out for when choosing a CCTV installer. Accreditations guarantee that the business has undergone certain audits and checks by an external certification board and is operating in line with a set of standards. We recommend you choose a CCTV installer with a National Security Inspectorate (NSI) accreditation, preferably at a Gold level. An NSI approval is the hallmark of excellence within the security industry and guarantees that the company is working to the most stringent industry standards. It, therefore, allows you as a customer to know that this company is technically competent, has reputable leaders at its head and has acquired certain certifications.
Customer Reviews
Nothing speaks clearer than a customer review. Check out comments on the installer’s social media pages, as well as see if they have a Trust Pilot page or any Google Reviews. From there, you should be able to gauge the level of service and customer satisfaction the CCTV installer provides.
Experience
The amount of experience a company has is a great indicator that they have returning business and have had multiple customers. They will also have experience in different situations and a multitude of types of homes, therefore abling them to make some great recommendations in terms of your CCTV system design.
Customer Service
Lastly, we recommend getting in touch directly with the potential CCTV installer in order to determine what their customer service is like. Good customer service is essential, especially when it comes to the security and safety of your home. You will want a friendly, approachable and professional installer, who will be able to clearly explain any technical issues, as well as efficiently deal with any faults if they do occur. This is particularly important if you choose to have your CCTV system monitored.
Why is it important to use a professional CCTV installer?
It is important to use a professional CCTV installer if you wish your CCTV system to be installed properly and safely. This is because a professional installer will use qualified electrical engineers to carry out the installation, who are experts in CCTV installation and will carry out all the necessary checks and tests to ensure that it works correctly. If you do not get your CCTV installed by a professional installer, or do it yourself, then you run the risk of something going wrong with the system further down the line and potentially shortening the lifespan of your system. You may also encounter annoying and costly system faults, that could have been avoided if you had used a professional CCTV installer.
Can I install a CCTV alarm myself?
Nobody can stop you from purchasing a CCTV alarm system independently and installing it yourself. However, if you are not a qualified electrician this presents many safety risks and is not recommended. You may install the system wrongly and end up with a faulty system or one that does not work effectively, which leads to compromised home security. A professional CCTV installer will also have further experience and knowledge on how the system should be set up and where the cameras should be placed.
How much does it cost to have a CCTV installed professionally?
Costs for a professionally installed CCTV system can vary. Firstly, the type and manufacturer of the CCTV system you choose can vary in price, as well as the amount and type of components within it. For example, a large, detached home will require more cameras to cover the square footage and surrounding areas and therefore will be more costly, compared to a small terraced house which will require much fewer CCTV cameras.
It is also important to note that you will need to factor in the labour costs when getting your CCTV system professionally installed. These will differ with each installer.
Which CCTV cameras should I choose?
Your CCTV installer should advise you on which CCTV cameras to choose for your home, making recommendations based on your available budget, home security concerns and your property type.
Once I get in touch with an installer, what will happen next?
Once you get in touch with an installer and explain your needs, they should provide you with a quotation and or carry out a home survey so that they can design the CCTV system specifically for your property. They are likely to ask you some questions surrounding your budget as well as your home and what your reasons are for installing CCTV.
Can Homewatch install home CCTV systems?
Yes, at Homewatch we are experienced in installed home CCTV systems and are fully NSI Gold accredited. We will work closely with you to create a bespoke CCTV system for your home that takes into account all your security and safety concerns, all carried out with 5* customer service. Please read our reviews on our Trust Pilot site to see what our customers say about our service. Once you get in touch, we’ll provide you with a free, no-obligation quotation.
Call us on 0330 094 7404 or email us here.
