Clear answers before anyone drills a hole.

Questions we answer most often

How much does CCTV installation cost in Durban?

Installed camera positions generally range from about R1 400 at the lower end to R3 500 where access, cabling or identification detail makes the position more demanding. The site layout, recorder capacity, power and cable routes decide the complete system cost.

Do you charge for a CCTV site visit?

No. We use the visit to agree what each camera must capture and to prepare an itemised proposal. Larger or more complex sites also receive a coverage drawing where it will help review the positions and gaps.

Can you work on a CCTV system installed by somebody else?

Yes, where the equipment is serviceable and access can be recovered legitimately. A clear photograph of the recorder label helps us identify the system before visiting.

Which areas does Durban CCTV cover?

We work across Durban, Durban North, Umhlanga, the Upper Highway and the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, including Ballito and Salt Rock. Send the suburb or estate and we will confirm whether a visit is practical.

Do you repair CCTV systems installed by another company?

Yes, where the equipment is serviceable and access can be recovered legitimately. A photo of the recorder label, the camera problem and any error shown in the app helps us establish what is on site before the visit.

Can one failed camera be repaired without replacing the whole system?

Often. We first check the camera, its power, cable path, connectors and recorder channel. Replacement becomes necessary when the failed part cannot be repaired, is incompatible with the working system or would leave the original cause unresolved.

Can you add one camera to any CCTV system?

Most systems can be extended, but the route depends on recorder capacity, supported camera types, available power, network bandwidth and storage. We confirm the exact models before proposing the addition.

What if every recorder channel is already used?

Options can include replacing the recorder with a larger compatible model, adding an IP section where the system supports it, or planning a staged upgrade. The sensible route depends on what existing equipment and cabling have earned the right to stay.

Can you add one camera to my existing CCTV system?

Usually, provided the recorder or network has capacity and a compatible route exists. We check free channels, power, bandwidth, storage and the exact camera-recorder combination before specifying the addition.

Can existing coaxial cable be kept during an upgrade?

Sometimes. Serviceable coax can support a modern compatible hybrid system, but each run needs inspection and testing. Damaged cable, poor joints or an upgrade that needs native IP features may make replacement the better route.

What should CCTV maintenance include?

It should check every expected view, recording and playback, the real retention period, system time, footage export, storage health, power backup, housings and cable entries, app access and the current user list.

How often should a CCTV system be maintained?

The interval depends on the property, environment and consequence of missed footage. Coastal exposure, high event volumes, difficult access and business evidence requirements justify closer checks than a small sheltered domestic system.

What should a small-business CCTV quotation show?

It should identify each camera position and purpose, cable and power requirements, recorder and storage assumptions, expected retention, who receives access, what is excluded and how the finished system will be tested and handed over.

Who should have access to business CCTV?

Access should follow an agreed role. The owner or authorised manager should control the main account, while staff receive only the viewing or playback rights needed for their work. The user list should be reviewed when responsibilities change.

What should a body corporate agree before installing CCTV?

The scheme should agree what each camera is for, the positions and gaps shown on a coverage drawing, who may view live and recorded footage, retention, account ownership, contribution and approval responsibilities, and who supports the system after handover.

Can residents have separate CCTV viewing access?

Often, although the rights available depend on the chosen system. The body corporate should approve which views and functions each role receives, who owns the main administrator account and how access is removed when a trustee, managing agent or resident changes.

What is included in a CCTV coverage drawing?

It identifies each proposed camera, its purpose and estimated viewing angle, the cable route, recorder location and any area deliberately left outside the design. It gives the client a reviewable plan before installation.

Can CCTV be designed from building plans alone?

Plans are useful for early quantities and cable estimates, but final camera positions need a site check. Heights, trees, gates, lighting, vehicle routes and the way people actually use a property are rarely captured completely on a drawing.