Cost of Home CCTV Systems
According to the most recent statistics, crime is on the decrease. We are safer than ever living in the UK, but most of us don’t feel particularly safe, especially at home. Burglary is still one of the most common types of crime, and if you know someone who has had their house broken into, you’ll know how distressing the whole experience can be. Technology can be of great assistance when it comes to protecting your house from unwelcome attention, and one of the best security measures you can take is having a CCTV system installed which can provide monitoring over your property at all times. Being on camera is enough of a deterrent alone to get most burglars to move on to an easier target, and if they do still go ahead and break in, the film evidence gives a better chance of catching the thieves. But is a CCTV system too expensive for the average home?
Crime Prevention Audit
The first step in buying a CCTV system is to undertake an audit at home to work out how many cameras you need, and where they should be located. A poorly-positioned CCTV camera which is not focused on the weak points of your property is almost as useless as no CCTV at all. Many local Community Police Officers will offer a free crime prevention check in your home, and will go round it with you pointing out any weak points and suggesting what security measures might be appropriate. They may be able to give you guidance about how many CCTV cameras you will need, and where they should be positioned. Companies which sell CCTV systems will provide a similar service, but you should always bear in mind that their aim will be to maximise how much money you spend with them so might not be entirely impartial. Once you have a general idea of how many cameras you need and where they should be located, you can start shopping around for the best deal.
Camera Cost
The first cost you will encounter is the cost of the cameras themselves. The prices for these range from a very basic camera with infra-red night vision costing £30, up to a high definition camera at £150. The very basic cameras are probably best avoided as the picture quality is rarely good enough to be any good for crime prevention or detection. At the other end of the scale, the very high resolution cameras can add to the cost considerably when you are buying several of them. A mid-range camera is probably sufficient for most standard domestic installations. You should ensure that whatever type of camera you choose that it is vandal proof, and that footage is time stamped so that you can prove the time an event happened, if necessary.
Wired or Wireless?
Traditionally, CCTV systems were hard wired. Each and every camera would be connected up to the house’s electricity supply for power, and the pictures would be fed down the wires to the central recording box. Modern technology means that wireless CCTV digital cameras are now available. These are easier to install and less disruptive too as a wireless system means you don’t need wires running around the walls inside. A wireless system is generally more expensive though as the cameras cost more than the standard wired ones, and they can be prone to interference from other electronic devices around the home. A digital system which saves footage to a hard drive or computer in your home could even let you access the system when you are on holiday or away from home, and offer additional peace of mind. If server space is limited, think about a motion-sensor camera which will only start recording when someone walks past the camera. Get professional advice from a range of CCTV providers before deciding which system is most appropriate for your needs, given your budget and the type of property.
DIY Option for Installing your CCTV
A basic CCTV system with a couple of cameras and the equipment needed to record the footage can be picked up from any of the main DIY stores for around £250, and if you have the tools and knowledge needed to put the cameras up in the right locations and get the cameras recording then this could be all you require. If you live, for example, in a block of flats which already has a CCTV system inside and all you need is an additional couple of cameras for inside the property, then this could well be all that you need. If you have audited your property and found that you need more than a couple of cameras, or need something more complex such as motion sensitive cameras or night vision cameras, then it is best to get the specialists in to both supply the equipment and do the fitting of it for you.
Overall Costs for CCTV
The cost for a CCTV system installed in your house will vary hugely depending on whether you have opted for an analogue or digital system, wired or wireless, how many cameras you need and where they are to be located. Because of these variables, it is most important than ever to speak to at least three local security companies and ask them to survey your property and then submit a formal written quote for the work. Going through this process will make it a lot easier for you to compare costs and other factors and come to a decision about which quote offers the best value for money for you. For the average three bedroom semi-detached house which requires around six cameras either inside or out, plus all of the installation and recording equipment, you can expect to pay upwards of £1500 for your CCTV system. If your home is much larger, or you require state of the art equipment and the best cameras on the market, then you can expect to pay much more than this.
