A good security camera installation quote lists every camera, the recorder, the storage size, the cable and mounting method, the labor, the testing, the warranty, the insurance and the payment terms in writing. If a quote does not say something, you cannot assume it is included. Use this 30-item checklist to compare quotes from any installer in the New York area. It works for a home with two cameras and a business with thirty.
This checklist is general guidance. It does not replace legal advice, and pricing in your area will vary. Ask every installer the same questions so your comparison is fair.
1. Before You Ask for Quotes
Do these first, because a good quote starts with a good brief.
- List your goals. Deterrence, package theft, break-ins, employee issues, insurance, peace of mind.
- List the areas to cover. Doors, driveway, yard, register, stockroom, hallway.
- Note the building type. Brick, plaster, concrete, co-op, condo, rental, commercial lease.
- Know your internet situation. Provider, speed and router location.
- Set a budget range. It helps the installer propose the right system.
- Ask about building rules. Co-ops, condos and landlords may require approvals.
- Decide on retention. How many days of footage do you want?
- Take photos. Pictures of each area help the installer give a better quote.
2. The 30-Item Quote Checklist
Equipment
- How many cameras, and where will each go?
- Camera model numbers, resolution and lens type.
- Are cameras indoor-rated or outdoor-rated, as needed?
- Night performance: infrared, color night or white light.
- Recorder model and number of channels.
- Does the recorder have spare channels for growth?
- Hard drive size and expected days of retention.
- PoE switch, power supplies and any rack or enclosure.
- Battery backup and surge protection.
- Any smart features, such as person detection or plate reading.
Installation
- Cable type and route for each camera.
- Mounting hardware and any special equipment, like lifts.
- How holes will be sealed and patched.
- Who handles drywall, plaster and paint repair?
- Work schedule, number of technicians and expected duration.
- Aiming, night testing and tuning included?
- Network setup, remote viewing and mobile app setup.
- Owner training and a written summary of passwords and settings.
Business and Legal
- Contractor's liability and workers' compensation insurance.
- Certificate of insurance for your building, if needed.
- Licenses that apply to the work, where required.
- Permits, registrations or building approvals needed.
- Privacy and signage guidance.
Money
- Itemized price by equipment, labor and extras.
- Deposit, payment schedule and final payment conditions.
- Warranty on parts and on labor, in months.
- Service plan, response times and callout fees.
- Subscriptions or monthly fees, if any.
- What is not included.
- Cancellation and change-order terms.
3. How to Read the Answers
Good signs: Clear model numbers, specific camera locations, storage math, a site visit, written terms, references and willingness to explain.
Warning signs: Vague "HD kit" language, no storage detail, no site visit, big cash deposits, pressure to sign today, no insurance, no warranty or no written contract.
Federal consumer guidance on avoiding scams is available at consumer.ftc.gov. In New Jersey, the Division of Consumer Affairs offers consumer resources and can tell you how to check on contractors.
4. Compare Quotes Side by Side
Create a simple table with each installer in a column and the 30 items in rows. Fill in what each quote says, and mark blanks. Blanks are not good or bad. They are questions to ask.
| Item | Installer A | Installer B | Installer C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of cameras | |||
| Resolution | |||
| Storage and retention | |||
| Battery backup | |||
| Labor included | |||
| Testing and training | |||
| Warranty (parts/labor) | |||
| Insurance | |||
| Total price |
Then compare total value, not only price.
5. Questions About Placement
Ask to see the planned camera map. For each camera, you should know what it is meant to capture: faces, plates, an overview or a specific object. Ask about glare, sun angles and night lighting. Ask whether any camera may see into a neighbor's property or private space, and how that will be handled.
News coverage shows why placement matters. 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 Queens in July 2026, QNS reported on burglaries in Flushing, Oakland Gardens and Bayside, where footage captured a getaway vehicle but the plate was partly covered. Footage that clearly shows people or plates is what investigators can use, and placement determines what you capture.
NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% citywide in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD). Falling numbers do not change the value of a well-placed camera.
6. Questions About Security of the System Itself
A camera system can be a risk if poorly secured.
- Will default passwords be changed?
- Who holds the administrator account?
- Is two-factor authentication available?
- How is remote access set up, and is it exposed to the internet?
- How will firmware updates be handled?
- Where does the video live: local, cloud or both?
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency offers practical guidance on securing connected devices at cisa.gov. If your business works with government contracts, ask about equipment origin; the FCC publishes a Covered List of equipment considered national security risks.
7. Questions About Service After the Install
- Who do I call if a camera goes offline?
- How fast will someone respond?
- Is remote troubleshooting available?
- What happens if the company closes or changes ownership?
- Do I own the equipment and the login?
- Will you service equipment you did not install?
8. Tell the Installer About Your Building
Mention anything that affects the work: old wiring, plaster ceilings, lead paint concerns, flood-prone basements, shared walls, landlord rules, historic district status, limited work hours or elevator reservations. If you are in a historic district, exterior changes may need review by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
9. Red Flags in a Quote
- A single line price for a "system" with no detail.
- A price given without anyone seeing the property.
- "Lifetime warranty" with no written terms.
- Promises that cameras will prevent all crime.
- Claims of scarcity or countdown deals designed to rush you.
- No mention of storage or retention.
- Cash-only deposits with no receipt.
- A refusal to provide insurance information.
No reputable installer can promise a camera will prevent a crime. Cameras deter some activity and document events.
10. Saving Money Through a Better Quote
- Give every installer the same brief.
- Ask for options at different price points.
- Accept a phased plan if budget is tight.
- Clear access before the visit so the quote is accurate.
- Ask about bundling cameras with alarm, doorbell or smart lock work.
Not sure how to read a quote? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots.
11. A Sample Good Quote
A good quote for a Brooklyn shop might read: "Six 4 MP outdoor/indoor PoE cameras at locations A through F per attached map; one 8-channel NVR with 8 TB surveillance drive providing approximately 30 days of recording at stated settings; one 8-port PoE switch; one battery backup; Cat6 cable through ceiling and exterior raceway at rear; sealing of exterior penetrations; aiming, night testing, remote viewing setup and one hour of owner training; one-year labor warranty and two-year manufacturer warranty on cameras and recorder; liability and workers' compensation certificates provided; total $4,980; 30 percent deposit, 40 percent at rough-in, 30 percent at completion." That is the level of clarity to expect.
12. After You Choose
Before work begins, sign a written agreement. Confirm the schedule, access arrangements and any building paperwork. After installation, walk through every camera view with the installer, check night video if possible, test remote access, save the login information, request the final invoice and warranty documents and take photos of the finished work. Test a clip export yourself before the installer leaves.
13. Questions to Ask
- Can I see a camera map and a camera list with model numbers?
- How many days of footage will the system keep?
- What is not included in this price?
- Who is responsible if a camera fails in the first year?
- Do you carry insurance and can you show me a certificate?
- Can you provide references?
See our contact page, security camera installation in Brooklyn, commercial installation in the Bronx and home camera installation in Manhattan.
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 should be in a security camera installation quote? Camera list and locations, recorder and storage, cabling, labor, testing, warranty, insurance, taxes and payment terms.
How many quotes should I get? Two or three, using the same brief so you can compare fairly.
Should the installer visit before quoting? Yes. A site visit makes a quote more accurate.
What is a reasonable deposit? Reasonable deposits are common, and payments should be tied to progress. Avoid large cash payments without a receipt.
Does the quote include repairs after drilling? Not always. Ask what patching and paint are included.
What if the final price changes? Your contract should explain how changes are handled and require your written approval.
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.