A security camera installation goes faster, costs less and turns out better when the property is ready. The crew needs access to the places where cables run, power and internet for the recorder, a clear place to work and decisions made about where cameras go. Most delays on installation day come from small things: a locked basement, a missing building permission, an unplugged router or a tenant who was never told. This checklist walks through what to do in the days before the installer arrives, for both homes and businesses.
This is general information. Follow any instructions your installer gives, since they know your job.
1. The Short Version
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| A week before | Confirm the plan, permissions and schedule. |
| Two or three days before | Tell household, tenants or staff. Clear access. |
| The day before | Locate keys, router and panel. Plan parking. |
| Morning of | Be reachable, secure pets, clear work areas. |
| After | Test, learn, document. |
2. One Week Before: Confirm the Basics
- Read the written plan. Confirm camera locations, equipment, price, schedule and warranty.
- Resolve open questions. Ask about anything unclear: wiring routes, finishes, audio, storage days.
- Confirm permissions. If you rent, or live in a co-op, condo or HOA, make sure you have written approval for drilling, exterior work and hallway or roof access. See our guides on co-op approvals, condo rules and tenant cameras.
- Check landmark or historic rules if relevant. See our landmarked building guide.
- Confirm approvals and permits if any are required. See our guide on permits.
- Confirm payment details. Deposit, schedule and method.
- Ask for a crew list and arrival window.
- Confirm insurance paperwork if your building requires a certificate before vendors enter.
3. Two to Three Days Before: Tell People
At home: tell everyone in the household about the work, the schedule and where cameras will go. Agree on privacy rules: no cameras in bathrooms or bedrooms and audio off unless advised otherwise.
With tenants: give written notice of the work and of any entry required. Tell them where cameras will be. See our landlord guide.
At a business: tell staff when the crew will be present, which areas will be affected and where cameras will go. Explain that cameras are not placed in restrooms or changing areas. Labor Law section 203-c prohibits employers from recording employees in those spaces; see nysenate.gov.
With neighbors: if the crew will use ladders near shared property lines, a quick heads-up helps.
With the building: inform the superintendent or management so elevators, roofs and basements are open.
4. Clear Access
Crews need to reach:
- Basements and crawlspaces. Clear boxes and clutter.
- Attics. Clear a path to the hatch.
- Closets and utility rooms. Where the recorder may go.
- Rooflines and exterior walls. Move planters, bikes and furniture.
- Ceilings and drop-ceiling tiles in commercial space.
- Rear doors and gates. Make sure they unlock.
- Roof access. Arrange keys or building staff.
Move fragile items and cover furniture near work areas.
5. Internet, Router and Power
The recorder and cameras need power and a network connection. Before the crew arrives:
- Find your router or modem and make sure it is on.
- Note your internet provider and plan, in case the installer needs to ask.
- Know where an outlet is near the planned recorder location.
- Locate the circuit breaker panel.
- Ask whether the installer needs the Wi-Fi password.
- If the router is in a locked closet, make sure it is open.
- If your internet is unreliable, tell the installer. Local recording keeps working without internet.
Plan a surge protector or a small battery backup if the installer recommends one.
6. Parking, Access and Logistics
New York City adds its own complications: street parking, double parking, loading zones, elevators and building rules. Ask the installer what they need. Tell them where to park, whether there are time limits, where to load equipment and whether the building has an elevator reservation. For businesses, decide whether work happens during open hours or after closing. Noisy drilling during business hours can disturb customers.
7. Pets, Children and Safety
Keep pets secured in a separate room. Let children know about ladders and tools. Keep valuables and sensitive documents out of work areas. In a business, lock up cash, files and confidential records. Ask who will be on site and whether you need to be present.
8. Decisions to Make Before Installation Day
- Final camera locations. Confirm you are comfortable with views.
- Audio. Decide whether to leave it off. Audio carries legal risk; see Penal Law section 250.05.
- Retention. How many days of footage you want.
- Who has access. Names and levels.
- Alerts. What notifications you want.
- Remote viewing. Which phones and users.
- Signs. Whether to post notices.
Making decisions beforehand prevents delays and rework.
9. For Renters and Co-op/Condo Owners
Get written approval before the crew arrives. Ask whether the building requires a certificate of insurance, a work permit or a specific schedule. Ask whether elevators must be reserved and whether noisy work is restricted to certain hours. Provide the installer with building rules in advance. The most common failure is a crew arriving to find that the building will not let them in.
10. For Businesses
Plan around operations. Decide whether to install before opening, after closing or in phases. Notify staff and vendors. Back up important data if the work will affect network equipment. Decide where the recorder will live, a locked room or cabinet with ventilation. Identify a manager who can answer questions and approve changes. Prepare a short staff notice about cameras and their purposes. See our guide on workplace camera rules.
11. News Context
Many owners call an installer after an incident and want work done quickly. In September 2026, NYPD sought two suspects in 19 commercial burglaries across 16 Brooklyn neighborhoods, according to News 12. In February 2026, NYPD released stills and video from a Staten Island doorstep to help identify three young men who tried to enter three homes overnight, according to CBS News New York. A few hours of preparation lets the crew finish sooner and gives you a system that works from day one.
NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% citywide in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD).
12. Costs and the Value of Preparation
Preparation can save money. Delays, repeat visits and extra labor can add $150 to $600 or more. Planning ranges for installed systems in 2026: four-camera home $1,600 to $3,600; eight-camera home or small business $3,000 to $6,800; sixteen-camera commercial $6,500 to $13,000. These are planning ranges, not quotes.
13. After the Crew Leaves
- Walk through with the installer. Check each camera view on your phone or monitor.
- Test at night if you can, or schedule a follow-up.
- Learn to view live and recorded video.
- Practice exporting a clip. See our guide on giving footage to police.
- Change default passwords and confirm named accounts.
- Take photos of the installed system and recorder.
- Save paperwork: receipt, model numbers, warranty, passwords stored safely.
- Check the site for cleanup and any needed patching.
- Book a check-in a week or two later to confirm retention and settings.
14. Questions to Ask Your Installer
- What do you need from me before you arrive?
- How long will the work take, and will anyone need to be present?
- Will you need access to the basement, attic or roof?
- Will you protect floors and furniture?
- How will you clean up and patch holes?
- Will you walk me through the system before you leave?
See our local pages for home camera installation in Brooklyn, business installation in Manhattan, security camera installation in Staten Island and our services page.
Ready to schedule? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots.
15. A One-Page Printable
Write these at the top of a page: date and time of installation; crew contact; building contact; approvals in hand; areas to clear; router location; panel location; parking plan; who will be home or on site; staff or tenants notified; audio on or off; retention days. Tape the page to the door or keep it on your phone. When the crew arrives, hand them the page. It sets expectations and shows you are ready.
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 should I prepare for a camera installation? Confirm permissions, clear access to basements and walls, locate the router and panel, tell household or staff and plan parking.
Do I need to be home? Usually someone should be present at least to give access and approve placement.
How long does an installation take? A home often takes a few hours to a day. Businesses can take longer.
Should I tell my tenants or employees? Yes. Give notice about the work and about camera locations.
What if my internet is slow? Local recording works without internet. Remote viewing may be limited.
What should I do after installation? Test the views, learn to export clips, change passwords and save paperwork.
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.