Questions to ask a CCTV installer before you hire them
How to get a system that records what you actually need
Published · Last updated
Most disappointing CCTV systems weren’t cheap; they were planned badly. Cameras point at the wrong places, footage is too dark or too blurry to identify anyone, or it has been overwritten by the time anyone looks. These questions help you find out, before you pay, whether an installer has thought about how the footage will be used.
Start with what you need the footage for
Tell the installer what you want to be able to do with a recording. “See that someone came in” needs far less detail than “identify a face at the door” or “read a number plate at the gate”. Ask them to explain, camera by camera, which of those each one will achieve.
Camera placement
- Where will each camera go, and what will it see? Ask for a site plan or marked-up photos showing each camera’s field of view.
- Which cameras are for identification, and which are for overview? Identification cameras need to be close to a choke point, such as a doorway, at head height and without strong light behind the subject.
- Are the entry and exit points covered? People can move anywhere on a site, but they have to pass through doors, gates and driveways.
- Can the cameras be reached and tampered with? Mounting height and vandal-resistant housings matter on exposed walls.
- Will anything block the view as the site changes? Trees grow, stock gets stacked, signs go up.
Night vision and lighting
- How will each camera perform at night on this site? Infrared range claims are often best-case. Ask what the image will look like at the actual distance involved.
- Will existing lighting help or hurt? Floodlights, headlights and reflective surfaces can wash out an image. Sometimes better lighting does more than a better camera.
- Is colour needed at night? Some cameras give colour images in low light with a small amount of white light; others switch to black and white infrared. Ask which suits each location.
- Can we see a sample? A good installer can show night footage from a similar camera and setting.
Storage and retention
- How many days of footage will the recorder hold at the resolution and frame rate you’ve quoted, with every camera recording? Ask for the figure in writing.
- Is it recording continuously or only on motion? Motion recording saves space but can miss events if it’s poorly set up.
- What happens when the drive is full? Most systems overwrite the oldest footage. Choose a retention period that fits how quickly you would notice and report an incident.
- Where is the recorder kept? A recorder in plain view can be stolen along with the evidence. Ask about a lockable location and an off-site or cloud copy for key cameras.
- How do we export footage for police or insurers, and who on our staff will be shown how?
Remote access and cyber security
- How will we view cameras remotely, and which app or service does that use?
- Will default passwords be changed, and will each user have their own login?
- Who keeps the admin password? You should, not only the installer.
- Will the firmware be updated, and who is responsible for updates after installation?
- Does remote access need ports opened on our network? Ask how the system is protected from the internet. If your business has an IT provider, involve them.
Privacy considerations
CCTV in Australia is covered by a mix of federal privacy law and state and territory surveillance laws, and the rules differ by state.
- Signage: ask what signs are needed and where. Clear signs are good practice and are required in some situations.
- Staff areas: some states, including NSW and the ACT, have specific workplace surveillance laws with notice requirements for employees. Ask the installer what applies in your state, and check with the regulator or an adviser if you’re unsure.
- Audio: recording conversations is restricted by surveillance devices laws. Many businesses switch audio off.
- Neighbours and public areas: cameras should cover your property, not look into neighbouring homes or yards.
- Handling footage: decide who can view and export recordings, and keep a record when footage is given to anyone.
An installer isn’t a lawyer, but a professional one will raise these points without being asked.
Warranty and maintenance
- What is the warranty on the equipment, and separately on the installation work?
- Who do we call if a camera fails, and how quickly will they come?
- Is a maintenance visit included? Cleaning lenses, checking angles, testing the recorder and confirming retention once a year is worthwhile.
- Will we get a handover document listing each camera, its location, login details and settings?
Cabling and electrical work
- Who will do the cabling? In Australia, data cabling inside walls and ceilings must be done by a registered cabler.
- Is any 240V electrical work needed, for example new power points for cameras or the recorder? That needs a licensed electrician.
- Are the cameras powered over the network cable (PoE)? This avoids separate power at each camera.
- Will cables be protected in conduit where they’re exposed, and will penetrations be sealed?
- Is the installer licensed for security installation work where your state requires it? See how to check a security licence.
Getting quotes you can compare
Ask each installer to quote against the same list of camera locations and the same retention period, and to name the brand and model of each camera and recorder. For typical prices, see our security camera installation cost guide (south-east Queensland prices).
When you’re ready, compare CCTV installers. Each listing shows the licence information available for that provider, so confirm it with the regulator before you book.