Running security camera cable through the masonry and plaster typical of New York buildings adds roughly $100 to $400 per camera run in 2026 compared with an easy drywall house, with difficult routes through thick brick, concrete floors or finished plaster ceilings reaching $500 or more per run. The cable itself is cheap. The cost is labor, patience and the care needed to avoid damage in buildings that are often 80 to 120 years old.
This guide explains how installers route cable through brick, plaster and lath, concrete and old conduit, what drives cost and how to protect your finishes. Figures are planning ranges, not quotes.
1. Planning Ranges by Construction Type
| Construction | Typical added cost per camera run | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Modern drywall with attic or basement access | $0 to $120 | Easiest case |
| Wood frame with finished ceilings | $80 to $250 | Fishing cable through walls |
| Plaster and lath (pre-war) | $150 to $400 | Careful drilling, patching likely |
| Solid brick exterior wall | $150 to $450 | Masonry drilling and sealing |
| Poured concrete floors or slabs | $200 to $600 | Core drilling or surface raceway |
| Existing conduit reuse | $0 to $200 | If path is clear |
| Surface raceway (visible) | $60 to $200 per run | Cheaper but visible |
These are added costs on top of base labor and equipment, and they vary with job size.
2. Why Old Buildings Are Harder
Plaster and lath. Traditional plaster is applied over wood strips. Drilling can crack it, and fishing cable behind lath is slow.
Solid masonry. Brick walls are thick and hard. Drilling takes time, creates dust and requires sealing to prevent water entry.
Fire stops and blocking. Old framing has horizontal blocking inside walls that stops a simple pull.
Mixed construction. A row house may have brick exterior walls, plaster interiors, drop ceilings added decades ago and a modern addition.
Uneven floors and ceilings. Hidden cable runs depend on knowing where framing and plumbing sit.
Unknown wiring. Old electrical, knob-and-tube remnants and abandoned lines can complicate routes. Cameras should not share electrical boxes with old wiring.
Lead paint and asbestos. Older buildings may contain lead paint or asbestos materials. Disturbing them requires proper precautions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides information at epa.gov. If you suspect either, ask a qualified professional before drilling.
3. Common Routing Strategies
Cellar or basement ceiling. In row houses and brownstones, the basement ceiling is often the easiest way to move cable horizontally. From there it climbs through chases to upper floors.
Closet and plumbing chases. Closets often stack vertically, giving a path from cellar to attic.
Attic or roof space. Where accessible, an attic allows cable to drop inside walls to upper-floor cameras.
Exterior surface. Cable can run along the outside in conduit or raceway where interior paths are blocked. It is visible but fast and tidy when done well.
Existing conduit. Reusing old conduit can save time, but only if the path is clear and approved for low-voltage use.
Through-wall penetrations. A small hole through brick for a camera cable, sealed with caulk or a weatherproof fitting.
Wireless bridges. For a detached garage or hard-to-reach location, a point-to-point link avoids long runs.
Wireless cameras. When no reasonable path exists, battery or Wi-Fi cameras avoid wiring. They have tradeoffs in reliability and subscriptions.
4. Drilling Through Brick
Drilling brick requires a masonry bit and a rotary hammer, and the technician must avoid mortar-line damage and surface spalling. Good practice includes:
- Mark the location and check for pipes or wires behind the wall.
- Drill a pilot hole from the inside outward, or use a small bit to reduce chipping.
- Angle the hole slightly downward toward the outside to shed water.
- Fit a sleeve or grommet and seal both sides with exterior-grade sealant.
- Add a drip loop in the cable outside the hole.
- Touch up masonry or paint to match.
A single exterior brick penetration commonly takes 20 to 45 minutes with proper care.
5. Plaster, Lath and Finished Ceilings
Plaster is fragile. Installers use small bits, stud finders and borescopes to see inside walls. They try to fish cable down from attic spaces and up from basements, minimizing holes. Where a hole is needed, they cut small access points, pull cable and patch with joint compound. Ask what finish repairs are included, since patching and repainting are not always part of a base quote. Expect paint touch-ups to be your responsibility unless stated otherwise.
6. Concrete Floors and Slabs
In loft buildings, parking garages and commercial spaces, concrete floors and ceilings are hard to penetrate. Core drilling is noisy, dusty and sometimes requires scanning for rebar and post-tension cables. Often the better solution is surface raceway or a route through existing sleeves. In co-ops and condos, building rules may restrict drilling, and the building may require its own contractor. See our guide on co-op and condo installation.
7. Visible vs. Hidden Cable
Hidden cable looks best but costs more. Visible raceway is cheaper and neat if done well. Many owners choose a mix: hidden runs in main living areas and exterior raceway on a side wall, painted to match. Ask your installer to show you the planned route before they start.
8. News and Security Context
Cable routing may seem unrelated to crime, but it determines where cameras can go and how reliable they are. A camera that covers the rear door and garden is far more useful than one that covers only the front, and in old buildings the rear is often where cable is hardest to run. In Brooklyn in March 2026, News 12 reported on video showing home break-ins a few blocks apart in Sheepshead Bay and Gravesend. Coverage of rear and side entrances is a common gap in older homes.
NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% citywide in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD). Check your own precinct's numbers.
9. Landmark and Building Rules
If your building is in a historic district, exterior changes visible from the street may need review by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Surface raceway on a facade is the kind of change that can draw attention, so ask first. In co-ops and condos, the board usually controls changes to common areas and exteriors. Nothing here is legal advice.
10. Saving Money
- Use the cellar and attic as cable highways.
- Cluster cameras so runs share routes.
- Choose PoE cameras to avoid separate power lines.
- Consider raceway on the side or rear where appearance matters less.
- Use wireless for one or two hard locations.
Not sure how your building should be wired? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots.
11. Questions to Ask
- What route will each cable take, and where will holes be?
- How will brick penetrations be sealed?
- What plaster or paint repairs are included?
- Are there lead paint or asbestos concerns I should address?
- What happens if a route turns out blocked?
- Will you protect floors and furniture?
See our local pages for security camera installation in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, Manhattan and residential work in the Bronx.
12. A Sample Row House Quote Breakdown
Consider a three-story Brooklyn brick row house. Six PoE cameras: front door, stoop, side passage, rear door, rear yard and basement. The base equipment and labor might be $3,000 to $4,200. Add $150 to $250 for each of the two rear runs through plaster, $200 to $350 for the brick penetrations at the front and rear, and $100 to $200 for patching and sealing. The total wiring add-on may be $500 to $1,000, bringing the project to between $3,500 and $5,200. That is a typical range, and an installer who walks the building can narrow it.
13. Preparing Your Home
Clear access to closets, the cellar and the attic. Move furniture away from walls where cable will run. Tell your installer about known hazards such as old wiring or suspected lead paint. Plan for noise and dust, and keep pets and children out of work areas. Take photos before and after so any repairs are easy to document.
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 it cost to run camera cable through brick? Typically $150 to $450 added per run, depending on thickness, access and sealing.
Can cameras be installed in plaster walls without damage? Careful installers minimize holes and patch them, but some small repairs are common.
Is wireless cheaper than wiring a brownstone? It can be, but wired cameras are usually more reliable and avoid subscriptions.
Will wiring reduce my home's value? Hidden, tidy wiring generally does not. Messy exposed cable can look bad.
Do I need a permit to drill through a wall? Ordinary low-voltage camera work usually does not need one, but building rules may apply. Ask your installer and check locally.
How long does a wiring job take? Most homes take a day. Complex masonry and plaster jobs can take two.
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.