You've picked an installer, signed the quote and picked a date. Now what actually happens when the truck pulls up? For first-time buyers the day can feel mysterious: strangers with ladders, drills and cables, possibly cutting holes in your wall. Knowing the rhythm of the day reduces stress and helps you spot a good crew from a sloppy one. This guide walks through installation day from arrival to cleanup, explains what the crew needs from you, what to expect in noise and disruption, what a careful installer does that a rushed one skips and what you should check before they leave.
This is a general description. Every job differs. Your installer should explain the plan in advance and confirm it on the day.
1. The Short Version
| Phase | What happens |
|---|---|
| Arrival | Introductions, ID, review of the plan. |
| Walkthrough | Confirm camera spots, cable routes, recorder location. |
| Prep | Floor and furniture protection, power and network checks. |
| Install | Cable runs, mounting, connections. |
| Setup | Recorder, network, apps, accounts. |
| Aim and test | Day and night views, recording, alerts. |
| Training | How to view, export, secure and maintain. |
| Cleanup | Debris out, holes sealed, paperwork. |
2. Before They Arrive
Your installer should confirm the date, arrival window and crew size a day or two before. Clear the areas where work will happen: move furniture away from walls where cameras or cable will go, clear attic and basement access, secure pets and make sure someone can give access to every area. Know where your router, circuit panel and any outdoor outlets are. Make a note of any building rules about contractor hours, elevators or deliveries. Our guide on a pre-install checklist has a fuller list.
3. Arrival and Introductions
A professional crew introduces itself, shows identification if you ask and states who is in charge. They'll review the quote with you: number of cameras, locations, recorder, storage and any extras. If something has changed since the site visit, such as a new tree or a locked room, they'll note it. This is the time to mention anything you forgot: a spot that worries you, a window where a neighbor looks in or a priority for tonight. Good crews listen and adjust.
4. The Walkthrough
Before anything is drilled, the lead walks the property with you. They confirm where each camera goes, where cable will run and where the recorder will live. They'll look for studs, pipes and wires, check attic and basement routes and identify any areas where the plan needs to change. You'll be asked to approve the camera positions, and it's fine to say "can we try it a few inches to the left?" Decisions are easier before the holes exist. Our guide on camera placement explains the thinking.
5. Protection and Prep
Careful installers protect your home. They lay drop cloths, use shoe covers, move furniture rather than working around it and keep tools off finished surfaces. They'll check power and the network, identify the best place for the recorder and switch, and may briefly shut off a breaker for certain connections. If drilling brick or masonry, expect noise and dust; they'll use vacuum attachments or containment where practical. Tell them about sleeping babies, shift workers and pets.
6. Cable Routing and Mounting
This is the longest phase. Crews work outward from the recorder, running cables through attics, basements, soffits and walls, using the quietest, tidiest routes. They drill small holes, pull cable, seal penetrations with weather-rated sealant and mount cameras with proper hardware for the surface: brick, vinyl, stucco, wood or concrete. Our guide on mounting cameras on different surfaces explains the methods. You may see ladders, lifts or roof work. Weather can pause exterior work; a good crew explains the plan if rain or high wind hits.
7. Setup: Recorder, Network and Apps
Once cameras are physically in place, the crew connects them to the recorder or network. They'll set names, resolution, frame rate, motion zones, recording schedules and storage days. They'll change default passwords, update firmware and set up remote viewing. Expect them to ask you to create or sign in to accounts on your phone. Avoid giving them your main email password; use your own login and share a temporary access code if needed. Our guide on viewing cameras on your phone explains the process.
8. Aiming and Testing
A competent crew doesn't finish when the cameras turn on. They check each view on a monitor or tablet at the camera's location, adjust angles and focus, and confirm that faces, plates and entrances are covered as planned. They test night views, either by waiting until dark or by covering the sensor to simulate night. They check for glare, reflections and obstructions. They confirm recording and playback, verify the clock and test alerts. If something looks wrong, they fix it before they leave. Our guide on testing camera views explains what to expect.
9. Training and Handoff
Before leaving, the lead should show you how to:
- Open the app and view live cameras.
- Find and play back footage by date and time.
- Export a clip.
- Change a password and add or remove a user.
- Check that the system is recording.
- Contact the installer if something goes wrong.
Ask them to demonstrate each one and then do it yourself. Ask for a written summary: camera locations, model numbers, storage days, passwords handed over securely and warranty information. Our guide on documenting your camera system explains why that paper matters.
10. Cleanup
The site should be left tidy: debris removed, holes sealed, floors cleaned, furniture back in place. Check that cables inside walls or conduit are neat and exterior cables are secured and sealed. Ask about any touch-up needed, such as paint on patches. Reputable installers handle small cosmetic fixes or tell you what to expect.
11. Safety and Respect
Installers work at heights, with tools and sometimes around live circuits. They should follow safety practices, use proper ladders and protect people from hazards. Keep children and pets away from work areas. If anything makes you uncomfortable, say so. Staff should be courteous, wear identification and not wander into areas they don't need. If the job involves electrical work beyond low voltage, ask who is performing it and what credentials apply; our guide on choosing an installer explains what to ask.
12. Before the Crew Leaves: Your Checklist
- I've seen live and recorded video from every camera.
- I know where the recorder is and how to access it.
- I can log in on my phone and my password isn't the default.
- I know how many days of footage are stored.
- I've practiced exporting a clip.
- Signs, if included, are posted.
- I have a written summary and warranty information.
- I know how to reach the installer.
- The site is clean and holes are sealed.
13. Costs
Installation day is where labor cost appears. Planning ranges in 2026 for professionally installed systems: video doorbell, $150 to $550; four-camera home system, $1,600 to $3,600; eight-camera system, $3,000 to $6,800; sixteen-camera commercial system, $6,500 to $13,000. Surprises behind walls, extra cable runs and after-hours work can add cost, which a good crew explains before proceeding. These are planning ranges, not quotes.
14. News Context
Owners schedule installation after seeing what footage can do. 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. In September 2026, News 12 reported that NYPD sought two suspects in 19 commercial burglaries across 16 Brooklyn neighborhoods. Careful installation is what makes footage like that usable.
NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% citywide in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD).
15. Questions to Ask Your Installer
- Who will be on the crew, and are they employees or subcontractors?
- Will you walk the plan with me before drilling?
- How will you protect my floors and furniture?
- Will you test night views before leaving?
- Will you train me and leave a written summary?
- What happens if something isn't right after you leave?
See our local pages for security camera installation in Staten Island, business camera installation in Brooklyn, home camera installation in Suffolk County and our services page.
Revolvis uses an in-house crew rather than outside subcontractors, so the people who walk your property are the people who install it. Want to see how that works? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots.
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
What happens on installation day? The crew reviews the plan with you, runs cable, mounts cameras, sets up the recorder and apps, tests views, trains you and cleans up.
How should I prepare? Clear access to work areas, secure pets and make sure someone can give access.
Will there be noise and dust? Yes, especially when drilling masonry. Good crews contain dust and protect floors.
Do I need to be home? Someone should be present for access and decisions.
What should I check before they leave? Live and recorded views from every camera, your login, storage days, an exported clip and a written summary.
What if I'm unhappy with a camera view? Say so during the walkthrough or testing. Good crews adjust before leaving.
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.