We welcome repairs to equipment fitted by another installer. There is no need to order replacement cameras before we have checked the wiring, power and recorder. For new installations and upgrades, our free site survey gives you an agreed coverage plan rather than a shopping list of boxes.
Follow the route from pavement to back door
Inter-war semis around Golders Green often have several separate approaches: a drive, a narrow passage and a rear entrance. We walk each route during the survey. A wide front view can establish what happened outside, while a tighter view at the door gives more useful detail of a visitor.
Near Golders Hill Park and the Heath Extension, planting deserves a close look. A hedge that offers privacy can also hide the gate from a camera. We choose positions with that obstruction in mind, without assuming that cutting back your garden is the only answer.
Bring a troublesome existing system back into use
If one picture disappears while the others remain, we compare that channel's supply, connections and cable with the working parts. If every picture goes, we look at the shared equipment first. We explain the fault we find rather than treating every blank screen as a failed camera.
Old coaxial wiring may still be useful. We identify the camera format and recorder compatibility before proposing any upgrade. Outside joints receive particular attention where rain triggers the fault. We also ask about important saved footage before resetting settings or replacing storage, because an unnecessary format could erase the evidence you need.
Survey the building before settling on the equipment
Our site survey is free. We look at the views, lighting, cable paths, router connection and a sensible place for the recorder. At an Arts & Crafts house, that includes how to avoid prominent runs across decorative brickwork. In mansion flats, access to shared walls needs agreement before any installation date is settled.
You receive a fixed written quote describing the proposed work and the parts we can keep. The free survey is separate from chargeable repairs or detailed fault diagnosis; we make that distinction clear and obtain approval before undertaking paid work. Any access limitations are discussed, not left until drilling starts.
Shopfront cameras need a different view from house cameras
Along Golders Green Road, passing pedestrians can fill a wide image without helping you see the shop entrance. We discuss the doorway, counter and delivery route separately. The camera position must serve an actual purpose, with enough detail at the distance where that purpose matters.
We can adjust supported motion zones so that ordinary pavement activity creates fewer unwanted notifications. That is different from privacy masking, which hides parts of the image. For business premises we also discuss who should retrieve recordings, how staff are informed and which areas should not be monitored. Audio is normally left off.
CCTV privacy responsibilities →Installation and repair options →
Avoid a washed-out picture after dark
Porch glass, pale walls and nearby leaves can reflect infrared illumination towards the lens. More resolution will not correct that positioning problem. We inspect the view and surrounding surfaces before deciding whether a different angle, camera or lighting arrangement is needed.
Colour footage at night requires adequate light. A shaded passage beside a semi will behave differently from a frontage lit by the road. We explain the limits of the proposed equipment and discuss any extra illumination with you, including its effect on adjoining windows. A bright daytime demonstration alone does not establish night performance.
Wire it neatly and keep maintenance possible
For permanent installations we generally favour wired network cameras. Suitable Ethernet cabling carries video and power back to the recording equipment, avoiding dependence on wireless coverage at the far end of the garden. We secure exposed runs, protect connections and seal the entry into the building.
We agree the internal route before making holes and leave necessary joints accessible. The recorder needs ventilation and a position you can reach, not a sealed cupboard where a warning goes unnoticed. If future garden work or an extension could affect the route, mention it during the survey so we can consider it now.
Playback matters as much as the live feed
We test saved recordings, check the clock and demonstrate how to export a clip. Storage duration depends on capacity, image settings and recording activity. We work through those choices rather than promising a set retention period without examining the system.
Phone access is tested using mobile data, away from your own Wi-Fi. We help establish authorised accounts and show you the controls you will actually use. Local recording can continue without broadband when correctly configured and powered, but remote viewing cannot. Where cameras capture beyond your boundary, we explain the need to consider signage, limited retention and secure access.
Talk the problem through with us
Ring 0800 206 2385 free or send your postcode and equipment details to WhatsApp 07595 292534. Please leave passwords out of messages. Our hours are Mon-Sat, 8am-7pm; outdoor work continues until sunset, and same-day attendance is offered when possible.
We are Finchley Aerials and Satellites on Britannia Road, Finchley N12 9RU. With 25 years' experience, we offer free advice and a clear price before work starts. Ask for a CCTV repair visit or a free survey, and tell us about parking, shared access or permission requirements when booking.