CCTV and security camera installation
Cameras that record properly, work at night, and don't depend on someone's cloud subscription staying cheap.
How we approach it
Most domestic camera systems disappoint for the same three reasons: the cameras are in the wrong places, the night performance is poor, and the footage is unusable when it finally matters because the resolution or the framing was never good enough to identify anyone.
Camera placement beats camera count. Four well-positioned cameras covering approach paths, entry points and the driveway will do more than eight scattered around a roofline. The single most valuable camera on most properties is one framed tightly on the front entry at face height — not a wide shot of the whole yard from three metres up, which reliably produces footage of the top of someone's head.
We install PoE systems — one cable per camera carrying both power and data — recording locally to an NVR. Local recording means the footage exists whether or not the internet is up and whether or not a subscription is current. Remote viewing on your phone still works; it just isn't the only place the recording lives.
The acreage version of the problem
On a large Hills property, the useful camera positions are rarely near the house. They're at the gate, along the driveway, and on the shed — which is where the equipment worth stealing actually is.
That means long cable runs. PoE has a practical limit around 100 metres, and past that you need a switch in an intermediate position or a fibre link. It also means power and data at the gate, which is worth coordinating with gate and intercom work and with any shed submain going in — one trench, three jobs.
Night performance matters more out here too. There's no street lighting. Cameras relying on ambient light produce nothing useful at 2am, so infrared or dedicated low-light cameras aren't optional.
What CCTV installation costs
Sydney, 2026. Installation and cabling — camera hardware varies enormously by choice.
| The job | Price |
|---|---|
| Per camera, installed and cabledPoE run, mounted, aimed and commissioned | $250 – $550 each |
| Four-camera system, typical homeCabling, install and NVR setup. Excludes hardware | $1,200 – $2,400 |
| NVR and network setupLocal recording, remote access configured | $300 – $700 |
| Long run to gate or shedBeyond 100m needs an intermediate switch or fibre | add $400 – $2,000 |
| Adding cameras to an existing systemWhere the NVR has spare channels | from $250 each |
These are indicative market ranges for Sydney in 2026, not a quote. What you pay depends on your switchboard, access and what we find. We confirm a fixed price before starting, and it doesn't move.
Security camera questions
How many cameras do I need?
Fewer, better placed, beats more. Most homes are well covered by four: front entry framed at face height, driveway, rear access and one on the shed or garage. On acreage add the gate.
Wired or wireless cameras?
Wired, for anything you're relying on. Wireless cameras depend on Wi-Fi that may not reach, and battery models stop recording when the battery dies — often precisely when someone has been around the property for a while.
Do I need a subscription?
Not with the systems we install. Recording is local to an NVR on your own property, so footage exists regardless of internet or subscription status. Remote phone viewing still works.
Will they work at night?
Yes, with the right cameras. Infrared gives usable monochrome in complete darkness; low-light colour cameras do better where there's some ambient light. On acreage with no street lighting, this is the specification that matters most.
Can I view them on my phone?
Yes, and we set that up. The difference is that your phone is a window onto a recorder you own, rather than the recording living on someone else's server.
Is there anything I can't record?
You can record your own property. Deliberately pointing a camera into a neighbour's private space — bedroom windows, their yard — creates real privacy problems. We'll frame cameras to cover your property and note it if a position is likely to cause trouble.
Can you integrate cameras with Apple Home or Google Home?
Some systems do it natively, others need a bridge. Tell us before we specify anything, because it narrows the sensible hardware choices considerably.
What customers say
Jason solved a really complex problem for our house with excellent professionalism and workmanship. Highly recommend, would def work with him again. On time delivery and within budget.
He was a very kind and pleasant person. He fixed the internet issue very quickly, and didn't leave any mess behind. He will definitely be the first person I call for any electrical problem.
Jason onsite quickly and completed the work on the spot, giving us a good price and was very polite. Would highly recommend.
These are Google reviews for our team at Cync Electrical & Automation — the licensed contractor behind Hills Electrician. 5.0 from 20 reviews. — see the profile
Want cameras that actually produce usable footage?
Tell us the property layout and what you're worried about. Call 0422 253 379.
Get a quote