CCTV is the most requested security service for Lahore homes, shops and offices. A good installation does three things well: it covers the right spots, it keeps recording when the power goes, and it lets you find and export footage when you need it. Most problems come from rushed planning, cheap cabling or no backup power.
What's included
| Item | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Site survey | Checking entry points, angles, lighting, cable routes, internet and power |
| Cameras | Indoor and outdoor cameras of the agreed type and resolution |
| Recorder | DVR (analogue/HD cameras) or NVR (IP cameras) |
| Storage | Hard drive sized for the number of cameras and days you want kept |
| Cabling | Coaxial or network cable, connectors, conduit or trunking |
| Power | Power supplies or PoE switch, plus UPS or inverter connection |
| Mounting | Brackets, junction boxes, weather protection outdoors |
| Configuration | Recording schedule, motion alerts, date/time, user accounts |
| Remote viewing | Phone app setup and testing |
| Handover | Admin credentials, device list, warranty papers, basic training |
When you need it
- New house or renovation, ideally before plaster
- After a theft or attempted break-in
- When the house is often empty or you travel abroad
- Shops, offices, clinics and warehouses
- Plazas and apartments covering common areas
Some businesses must have security arrangements. Punjab's vulnerable establishments law covers places such as banks, schools, hospitals, hotels, petrol stations, jewellers and notified shops or arcades, and lists CCTV cameras among security arrangements (Punjab Security of Vulnerable Establishments Ordinance 2015). The specific measures are set by the district committee's advice. Private homes are not covered.
Step-by-step process
- List what you want to see: gate, main door, garage, back lane, roof access, shop counter.
- Site survey by the installer; walk the house together.
- Agree camera positions and mark them on a plan.
- Decide storage and backup: how many days of footage, and how long the system must run on backup.
- Get an itemised quote with model numbers and cable type.
- Cabling: run cables in conduit; keep them away from heavy power cables where possible.
- Install and configure cameras, recorder and app.
- Test: day and night views, motion alerts, playback and export.
- Handover with admin passwords changed from defaults.
Placement tips
- Cover entry points first: gate, main door, garage, any back or roof access.
- Mount high enough to avoid tampering, but low enough to see faces.
- Avoid pointing cameras straight into bright light or the sun.
- Keep the recorder hidden or locked away, so a thief cannot take the footage.
- Respect neighbours: do not aim cameras into their windows or private areas.
What affects the cost
Prices vary; compare quotes on the same scope. Main factors:
- Number of cameras and their resolution, night vision and lens type
- Analogue/HD vs IP system
- Cable length, conduit and how much wall chasing is needed
- Storage size and recording mode (continuous or motion)
- UPS or inverter connection
- Mounting height and outdoor protection
- Extra features: audio, two-way talk, colour night vision, alerts
Questions to ask the installer
- Can you give model numbers and specifications in writing?
- How many days of recording will this hard drive keep?
- How long will the system run when the power goes?
- Will I get the admin password, and will you change the defaults?
- What warranty covers equipment and labour?
- How do you handle a camera that goes offline?
Red flags
- Quotes without model numbers or hard drive size
- Cheap cable that is not suited to outdoor use
- The installer keeping admin access
- No backup power for the recorder and cameras
- Cameras placed for "coverage count" rather than useful views
- No testing at night before handover
FAQs
How many cameras does a house need? It depends on layout. Start with every entry point, then add views of the street and garage. A site survey is the right way to decide.
DVR or NVR? A DVR works with analogue/HD cameras over coaxial cable; an NVR works with IP cameras over network cable. Ask the installer which suits your house and budget.
Will CCTV work during load-shedding? Only if it is on a UPS or inverter. Include backup in the quote.
Can I add cameras later? Yes, if the recorder has spare channels. Ask for spare capacity at the start.
Can I view cameras from abroad? Yes, with internet at the house and the app set up correctly.
Sources
- Punjab Security of Vulnerable Establishments Ordinance 2015 — Punjab Police — establishments covered, CCTV in security arrangements