How to Start CCTV Camera Installation

Business
Do you want to start CCTV camera installation business? Here in this article, we list down
the basic steps you need to follow in starting the CCTV camera installation business.

CCTV stands for ” Closed Circuit Television”. The demand for installation of CCTV at
present is on the rise worldwide. This is a security-related business. As this
report suggests, the security industry is expected to grow at 17% and the market volume in
the United States alone will be US$8,550m by 2022.
As more and more households and office establishments are taking measures to stay
protected, it can be easily concluded, starting a CCTV installation business is poised to
fetch you good returns.

Here is a 10 Step Guide on Starting a CCTV Camera

Installation Business
The steps have been curated with ideas and inputs from some of the most successful
CCTV camera installation business owners.

1. Learn the Trade

CCTV Camera business is heavily related to current technology and technology is always in
up gradation mode. You will need to learn first about the operating part of the CCTV. It is
not just only installing the camera. The camera feed has to go somewhere. That leads to
questions about where the camera feed will be monitored. Will it be monitored on site, or at
an off-site location?

If it’s at an off-site location, how will you transmit the image? What type of camera will you
install? All CCTV cameras are only classified according to their applications. Features of the
different cameras will lead the selection of the client’s requirement.

You won’t very many institutes teaching CCTV camera installation technicalities. You have
to mostly learn from the manufacturers of the item. It is advised to work as an apprentice for
a CCTV camera installation company for a few months or years before you venture out your
own.

2. Types of CCTV Camera

Several different types of CCTV Camera is being used for different purpose. Majors are

PTZ Camera: PTZ stands for Pan, tilt, and zoom and it is of the kind specific surveillance
security system. PTZ cameras are highly sensitive cameras. They detect the motion, sound,
and change in heat signature and gets activated. After detecting motion, sound, changes in
heat signature they focus and keeps the track record of changes in their area of
surveillance. PTZ cameras are activated by themselves during the time of changes. PTZ
camera System can warn human monitors.
IR Camera: IR stands for the infrared camera. These cameras used for night vision. For
night vision purposes only IR cameras are used. Even in darkness, one can see the perfect
movement of things through Night Vision Cameras. Images of Night Vision Cameras are
quite reliable, clear and sharp.
Dome Cameras: Dome cameras can be easily equipped with ceilings of buses, trains,
tunnels.
IP Cameras: IP stands for internet protocol. IP cameras can be synchronized with mobile
phones with the help of broadband internet connections. IP cameras have a bigger market
in most countries. IP is an internet broadband infrastructure with which cameras can be
easily equipped.
Weatherproof Camera: Weatherproof cameras widely used for outer roadside surveillance
like traffic signal check. Weatherproof cameras are stronger. The weatherproof camera has
a proper shield on their top.
3. Do Some Market Research
If you starting new, it is better to go for local market research and understand the needs of
the customers. Go to local dealers and retailers and take feedbacks on what kind of security
systems are selling most. If possible hire a local agency and visit households and offices
and gather information regarding their actual security requirements.
4. Naming Your Business
Naming your business is the starting point if you are seriously considering to start the
business. The name should be relevant and relate to the local community.

Also, check whether a similar domain name is available or not. Having a website is
indispensable in today’s business.

Related Read: Name Your Business | Step-By-Step Guidelines

5. Arranging Finance
Arranging finance is a critical step in starting this business. If you don’t have enough cash to
invest, you need to reach out to venture capital investors and submit your business plan.
You can also take the help of free business plan templates in creating your CCTV camera
installation business plan.
Determine what the specific products you will be dealing with. Who will be your target
consumer in your business demographic? What are the areas you will cater to? Calculate
startup budget and accordingly plan for sourcing finance. Calculate an expected return.

6. Choosing The Location

Logistics will play a big role in this business. You need to reduce the logistic cost of
transferring equipment and traveling expenses of technicians who will install the CCTV
camera systems. Choosing a location where potential customers can be found is preferred.

Related Read: How to Start a Retail Store Business

7. Making Your CCTV Installation Business Legally Compliant
Choose your business structure under which you are going to run the business. If you are
from the United States, for example, starting as an LLC provide you certain advantages.
Check with the local authority, what licenses and permits are required to operate CCTV
installation business.
8. Choosing The Right Supplier
This business demands a continuous supply of important items. Hence choosing the right
supplier is a make or break aspect in making the venture successful. It is recommended to
choose a reputed supplier, with a back up other suppliers in case of an emergency.

9. Hiring & Training Staff

This business is providing technical solutions to customers. Technical personnel is
supposed to give a solution to clients, which type of camera and accessories will be perfect
for his requirement within their budget. So you need to be very careful about building your
technical team.

**Pro Tip – Give away incentives to the top performer of the week/month encouraging all
the staff to work hard.
10. Promote your CCTV Installation Business
Concentrate on some office stationeries like the business card, letterhead, envelope etc.
Publish some classified newspaper advertisement. Send emails to the business houses
describing the solutions and benefits of having it. Register your business with some free
and paid portals both.

Read: Top 10 Best Free Website Builders for Small Businesses

Give their testimonials. Frequently check your customers about the service. The numbers of
satisfied customers will raise the possibilities of having new customers. Offer your existing
customers a FREE ‘Security System Check.’