DIY CCTV systems – the pros and cons, and when to call in the professionals

Thanks to advances in technology and smart devices, there has been a surge in the range of DIY CCTV and home security systems on the market. From cameras in doorbells to fully digital systems which can be installed on the outside of your home, there are a plethora of different choices.

These systems are handy and effective, however, there are some limitations and issues which can arise if they’re not installed correctly.

With decades of experience in the security sector and as the leading CCTV installer in London, the team at All Security Solutions has worked with clients to install the ideal security solutions in homes, businesses, and other properties. In this blog post, we’ll be discussing the pros and cons of DIY CCTV systems, and when you should consider calling in the professionals to carry out the installation.

What are the benefits of DIY CCTV systems?

1. Cheap

Installing your own cameras and security system can be cheaper than calling in the experts as you’re carrying out the work yourself. There is also a sliding scale in terms of the cost of the systems themselves, so if you’re on a budget you could find a more wallet-friendly system to purchase.

1. You can have minimal cameras

Perhaps you only want one camera to point at your garage or would like one camera to cover the front of your property. If you only want a small system, it could work out more effectively to install the CCTV system yourself.

1. Smart systems hook up to your Wi-Fi

Although professional systems also connect to your Wi-Fi system, a DIY CCTV system should be easy to connect to your broadband. This means that you could have your cameras up and running within a couple of hours.

What are the cons of DIY CCTV systems?

1. You’re not a security expert

Ultimately, installing CCTV security cameras san jose ca yourself may mean that you miss opportunities for full coverage of your property. Security experts have years of experience and understand some of the most common break in or entry points at homes and businesses. As a result, they will know the best places to position cameras to provide you with maximum coverage where it’s needed most. At the end of the day, if a crime is committed, it’s important that your cameras point in the right direction otherwise it defeats the object of investing in CCTV cameras.

1. You’ve got to do the work yourself

If you’re strapped for time, setting up a CCTV system can be complicated and take several hours. You’ve also got to ensure that you have the right tools for the job and that you’re happy to go up and down a ladder to ensure that you get the position of the cameras correctly. Professional CCTV installers London can carry out the work quickly and efficiently, meaning that you can sit back and relax whilst they do the hard work.

1. Issues with broadband

We all know how frustrating it is when the internet goes down. DIY systems often don’t have a backup method, therefore if your Wi-Fi goes down, or you have any issues with your internet provider, your security coverage could stop completely.