We are equally happy to investigate a system that is already there. If another installer fitted it, we can still check the cameras, recorder and wiring. A useful repair may be a connection, a power supply or a recording setting rather than wholesale replacement. We explain the evidence and let you decide.
Walk the N20 plot before counting cameras
Detached homes towards Totteridge can have several approaches that are not visible from the front door. Semis may need particular attention along the side passage. We walk those routes with you, considering where a person could pass behind a vehicle or reach the back without crossing the main entrance view.
At mansion flats along the High Road, the survey starts differently: we establish what belongs to your flat and what is shared. We identify the proposed mounting surfaces, cable path and recorder position. You receive a fixed written quote after the free survey, with any separately chargeable diagnostic work made explicit.
Find the reason an existing view has gone missing
Tell us whether the loss affects one camera or the whole system, and whether recorded footage remains available. We check supplies and connectors before drawing conclusions about the cameras themselves. Weather-sensitive faults can point towards outdoor joints, whereas a working local display with a failed app suggests a different line of investigation.
We support systems bought elsewhere and explain when parts are compatible. On an older coax installation, a new camera must match the recorder's supported format as well as the cable arrangement. We test the available options and describe any limitations, rather than attaching a replacement that produces no usable picture.
Distance changes what a camera can tell you
Around Totteridge Lane, a wide frontage can tempt owners to aim one camera across the entire plot. That may show movement without giving useful facial detail. We explain how the chosen lens, subject distance and mounting height affect the image, and separate an overview from a closer identification view when necessary.
Gates and driveways also bring headlight glare and changing vehicle positions. We assess the likely approach rather than promising readable registration plates from an ordinary general-purpose view. If plate capture is a priority, we discuss whether a dedicated arrangement is feasible and what lighting and angle constraints would apply.
Plan a route through the house, not across it
In a large house, the cable route deserves as much attention as the camera position. We consider floor access, decorated rooms and how the wiring reaches the recorder without crossing door openings. Where lifting finishes is unsuitable, we show you alternatives and agree the appearance before any holes are made.
For permanent network cameras we generally favour wired connections, with suitable Ethernet carrying data and power where the equipment supports it. Distance and cable quality still matter. We check run lengths and switch requirements rather than assuming every far garden corner can be connected identically. Outdoor entries are sealed and cables properly supported.
A dark garden is different from a lit High Road
We ask what illumination stays on overnight, including porch lamps and lighting at gates. A colour image needs sufficient light on the subject, not just a bright patch elsewhere in the frame. Infrared is an alternative in darkness, but reflections from close walls or foliage can overpower the useful view.
Shrubs beside a side entrance may also trigger constant motion events. We discuss positioning, maintenance and detection zones instead of simply increasing sensitivity. If additional lighting would help, we agree its direction and timing, taking neighbouring windows into account. We do not promise that a daytime demonstration proves night performance.
Privacy and lighting considerations →Arrange camera assessment →
Your recordings should be easy to retrieve
We inspect storage health and recording schedules, check the system time and play back an actual saved sequence. If you need to retain existing footage, say so before drive changes or resets. We can discuss export options without making unsupported promises about recovery from failed or overwritten storage.
Remote viewing is tested outside your home network. We help you use authorised accounts, review who still has access and demonstrate saving a clip. The recorder stays in an agreed, ventilated location. We explain expected storage duration from the selected settings; higher image quality and more continuous recording consume capacity faster.
Keep the view on your own approaches
We do not need to watch an adjoining garden to cover your side gate. We narrow angles and apply supported privacy masks to areas that serve no necessary purpose. Capturing beyond the property boundary can create data protection duties, so we discuss signage, retention and restricted viewing as part of planning.
In shared buildings we ask who will authorise installation and manage recorded material. Protected buildings or conservation restrictions may also require checks before external alterations. We flag those questions before drilling, while leaving formal consent decisions to the relevant authority. Sound recording is normally left off unless a specific justification has been considered.
Arrange advice without buying equipment first
You can reach us free on 0800 206 2385, Mon-Sat between 8am and 7pm. WhatsApp 07595 292534 is useful for a recorder label photograph and a brief fault description. Never include your login credentials. We aim to offer same-day service when possible, with outdoor site work finishing by sunset.
We are Finchley Aerials and Satellites of Britannia Road, Finchley N12 9RU, bringing 25 years' experience to the assessment. Advice and CCTV site surveys are free. Once the scope is agreed, you get a clear price before work starts, whether the recommendation is a small repair or a complete installation.