A professionally installed 4-camera security system in New York typically costs between $1,500 and $3,500 in 2026, including cameras, a recorder, a hard drive, cabling, mounting and setup. Basic systems on easy walls land near the bottom of that range. Systems with higher-resolution cameras, long outdoor cable runs or masonry drilling land near the top.
Four cameras is the most common size for a New York home, and for many small shops. It is enough to cover the main entry points of a typical house or the key areas of a small business without turning the project into a major build. This guide explains what four cameras can and cannot cover, how the price is built and how to choose the right recorder and storage.
1. How the $1,500 to $3,500 Range Is Built
| Cost component | Typical planning range |
|---|---|
| Four cameras (4-megapixel class, PoE) | $500 to $1,400 |
| 4- or 8-channel recorder | $250 to $600 |
| Hard drive (2 to 4 TB) | $100 to $250 |
| Cable, connectors, mounts, weatherproofing | $200 to $500 |
| Labor (1 day, two installers on larger jobs) | $450 to $1,100 |
| Setup, phone app and walkthrough | included to $150 |
These pieces add up to about $1,500 to $3,500. The biggest swing factor is almost always labor, because wall type and cable length vary so much.
2. Where Four Cameras Go on Different Properties
The right layout depends on the property. Here are four common setups.
Detached house in Staten Island or Long Island. 1. Front door and walkway. 2. Driveway and street-facing side. 3. Side gate or passage. 4. Back door and yard. This covers the entry points burglars most often use. If there is a detached garage, a fifth camera is often worth adding.
Attached row house or brownstone in Brooklyn or Queens. 1. Front stoop and door. 2. Rear yard or fire escape door. 3. Interior hallway near the main entrance (optional). 4. Basement or garden-level entrance. Row houses have fewer sides to cover, but rear access is often overlooked.
Two-family house. 1. Front shared entrance. 2. Driveway or parking. 3. Back yard. 4. Basement or side entrance. Two-families may need extra cameras later for separate entrances. Discuss privacy between units with your tenant before installing, and keep cameras pointed at common areas and exterior entries, not into someone's living space.
Small shop or office. 1. Entrance at face height. 2. Register or reception. 3. Stockroom or back office. 4. Rear door or alley. Businesses often need all four just for the basics, which is why a larger system may be a better fit.
3. Four-Channel or Eight-Channel Recorder?
A 4-channel recorder supports four cameras. An 8-channel recorder supports up to eight. The price difference is often only $50 to $200, so many installers recommend the 8-channel unit, leaving room to add cameras later without replacing the recorder.
A 4-channel recorder makes sense if you are sure you will never want more cameras, for example in a small apartment. For houses and businesses, the extra headroom is cheap insurance.
4. How Much Storage Do Four Cameras Need?
Storage depends on camera resolution, whether recording is continuous or motion-based, and how many days you want to keep. As a rough guide:
| Setup | Typical retention |
|---|---|
| 4 cameras, 4 MP, motion recording, 2 TB drive | Often 3 to 6 weeks |
| 4 cameras, 4 MP, continuous recording, 2 TB drive | Often 1 to 2 weeks |
| 4 cameras, 4 MP, continuous recording, 4 TB drive | Often 2 to 4 weeks |
| 4 cameras, 4K, continuous recording, 4 TB drive | Often 1 to 2 weeks |
These are approximations. Compression, frame rate and scene activity change real results, so ask your installer to calculate retention for your cameras. Do not accept a vague answer like "plenty of storage."
Why does this matter? Footage is only useful if it still exists when you need it. If a package is stolen on Friday but you do not look until the following Thursday, a drive that holds seven days may already have overwritten it.
5. Wired vs. Wireless for Four Cameras
Wired PoE cameras cost more to install because of the cable, but they are the most reliable choice for constant coverage. Wireless or battery cameras reduce cable work but depend on Wi-Fi strength, batteries or nearby outlets. For a four-camera whole-property system, most installers recommend wired for the main cameras, with wireless used only where cabling is impractical.
6. Options That Raise the Price (and Whether They Are Worth It)
- 4K cameras: More detail and better digital zoom, but larger files and higher cost. Worth it for entry points where faces matter most.
- Varifocal lens: Lets the installer set the exact field of view. Useful for driveways and long approaches.
- Audio: Recording sound can raise legal issues, and rules for audio differ from video. Check our guides before enabling microphones.
- Smart detection: Person and vehicle detection reduces false alerts from trees and passing cars.
- Battery backup: Keeps the recorder running through a short power outage.
- Extra lighting: Better lighting often improves night footage more than a better camera does.
7. What the News Shows About Entry Points
Four-camera layouts are built around how people actually get into properties. In February 2026, NYPD said three young men tried three South Shore Staten Island homes in the early morning hours. At one, they got in through a locked front window; at the others they tried window frames and a back door, according to CBS New York. That pattern, side windows and rear doors, is why we rarely put all four cameras on the front of a house.
In early March 2026, News 12 reported two home break-ins in Sheepshead Bay and Gravesend, Brooklyn, a few days apart in the early morning hours, with a car stolen in one and car keys taken in the other. Police had not confirmed a link, so treat it as a pattern worth noticing, not a proven connection. Driveways and rear doors are worth covering.
Overall crime is down. The NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD). A four-camera system is a measured, practical step rather than a reaction to a crime wave.
Not sure where four cameras belong on your building? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots.
8. Four Cameras Versus Six or Eight
Add cameras when:
- You have both a front and a rear driveway or multiple street-facing sides.
- You have a detached garage or shed.
- You run a business with cash handling and a stockroom.
- You want a camera inside for packages or deliveries.
Stay at four when:
- Your property is small, with few entry points.
- You mainly want a record of who comes to the door and the driveway.
- Your budget is tight, and you can add later on a recorder with spare channels.
Common Layout Mistakes With Four Cameras
When you only have four cameras, every placement counts. These are the mistakes I see most often.
Putting two cameras on the front and none in back. Burglars often prefer rear access because it is out of sight. At least one camera should cover the back door or yard.
Mounting too high. A camera on a second-story eave sees a lot of roof and the tops of heads. Mounting around 8 to 10 feet, angled down, shows faces more clearly.
Aiming into the sun. East- and west-facing cameras can be washed out at sunrise or sunset. A slight angle change or a camera with strong wide dynamic range fixes this.
Ignoring the driveway. Vehicle break-ins and package thefts often start at the curb. A varifocal camera aimed at the apron and sidewalk is worth a slot.
Leaving a dead zone by the door. A camera that watches the street but not the stoop can miss the exact moment someone reaches for a package. Make sure the door and a few feet of approach are always in view.
A good installer will test each view on a screen before drilling the last hole. Do not be shy about asking for adjustments.
9. How to Compare Two Four-Camera Quotes
Put both quotes side by side and compare the recorder channels, drive size, retention days, resolution, cable type, warranty and what is billed separately. If one quote is much lower, check storage and cabling first. If one is much higher, check whether it includes features you do not need, such as 4K on every camera or audio.
More From Revolvis
Cameras are one layer of a secure property. The same in-house crew also handles the rest:
- Keyless entry installation and smart lock installation
- Access control systems and commercial access control
- Video doorbells and intercoms
- Alarm system installation
- Complete unified security
Learn more about Revolvis, meet the team, see all services, browse the blog or contact us.
Areas We Serve
Revolvis installs residential and commercial camera systems across the New York metro area. Every borough and county has its own building stock, rules and wiring challenges, so the plan for a Queens two-family is not the plan for a Manhattan co-op.
- Staten Island: houses, detached garages and shop fronts. See security camera installation in Staten Island.
- Brooklyn: brownstones, row houses and storefronts. See security camera installation in Brooklyn.
- Queens: attached brick homes, two-families and busy commercial strips. See security camera installation in Queens.
- The Bronx: pre-war buildings, bodegas and warehouses. See security camera installation in the Bronx.
- Manhattan: co-ops, condos, offices and retail. See security camera installation in Manhattan.
- Long Island: Nassau County and Suffolk County.
- New Jersey: Jersey City, Newark, Hoboken and nearby towns.
The full list is on the service areas page.
Get a Custom Quote After a Site Visit
Revolvis prices every job after a site visit, because the building sets the cost as much as the equipment does. A few things make the estimate faster and more accurate:
- The address and property type: house, apartment, co-op, condo, storefront or warehouse.
- Which doors, sides and areas you want covered, and what worries you most.
- Photos of those spots and any spots where you already have cabling or power.
- How many days of footage you want to keep and whether you want to watch on your phone.
- Any landlord, board, lender or insurer requirement.
Call 347-258-9165 or use the contact page to book a site visit. The quote you receive is written and itemized, so you can compare it line by line.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 4-camera security system cost installed in NYC? Most fall between $1,500 and $3,500, depending on camera quality, wall types and cable length.
Is a 4-camera system enough for a house? For most houses with a front door, driveway, side passage and back door, yes. Larger lots, detached garages and multi-family homes may need more.
How long does it take to install four cameras? Usually one day. Complex wiring can extend it.
Do I need internet for a 4-camera system? The system records without internet. You need internet for remote viewing on your phone.
Can I add cameras to a 4-camera system later? Yes, if the recorder has spare channels. An 8-channel recorder gives you room to grow.
Should my 4-camera system record all the time? Continuous recording is the most complete, and motion recording stretches storage. Many installers set entry points to continuous and quieter spots to motion.
Ready for a custom quote? Call Revolvis at 347-258-9165 for a site visit and a written, itemized estimate.
Safety note: A camera system supports, but does not replace, good locks, lighting, alarms and everyday habits. If you are in danger or witnessing a crime, call 911. Prices and legal summaries in this guide are general information for the New York metro area, not an offer or legal advice. A written quote after a site visit governs your actual price, and for legal questions you should confirm with the agencies linked in the article or a licensed attorney.