1. Do They Have Real Experience with Pretoria Installations?

Pretoria has unique challenges: thick walls, long driveways, heavy thunderstorms and high crime during load shedding. An installer with real Pretoria experience understands:

• Where criminals typically enter.
• Best camera angles for driveways and gates.
• How to avoid night-vision issues.
• How to protect equipment against lightning and surges.

Look for: someone who explains why each camera position was chosen – not someone who just “sticks a camera there”.

2. Are They an Accredited CCTV Installer?

Accreditation matters. A Hikvision HCSA Certified Installer is trained in:

• IP camera configuration and NVR setup.
• Basic network design for CCTV.
• Hik-Connect remote configuration and secure user permissions.
• Lens selection and motion detection zones.

Anyone can buy a camera. Not everyone can install and configure one properly.

3. What Cabling and Hardware Do They Use?

A CCTV system is only as strong as its cabling. Many cheap installers use poor-quality aluminium-clad cables, thin conductors or unprotected cable routes that fail within months.

A professional cctv installer pretoria uses:

• Pure copper Cat6 or better.
• Certified connectors and proper crimping tools.
• Conduits or trunking for protection.
• Labelled cable routes and neat routing.

4. How Do They Handle Surge & Lightning Protection?

Pretoria thunderstorms destroy hundreds of CCTV systems every year. A reliable installer includes:

• PoE surge protectors on outdoor runs.
• AC surge protection for NVRs and switches.
• Proper earthing and bonding.
• Safe mounting away from live electric fences.

If an installer does not mention surge protection, consider it a red flag.

5. Do They Configure Remote Access and Alerts Properly?

Many CCTV systems in Pretoria are installed but never configured. This leads to missing alerts, no remote access and weak security.

Your installer should:

• Set up Hik-Connect or equivalent app.
• Create custom motion zones and events.
• Configure user roles and permissions.
• Enable human/vehicle detection where supported.
• Test notifications on your actual phone.

6. What After-Sales Support Do They Offer?

A great installer stays available for:

• Remote support and app changes.
• System adjustments after a few weeks of use.
• Router changes and fibre upgrades.
• Yearly health checks and maintenance.

CCTV systems require ongoing attention – not an “install and disappear” approach.

7. Can They Explain Every Camera Position?

A professional installer can justify every camera angle:

• What it covers and what risk it addresses.
• How night vision behaves in that position.
• Which blind spots are avoided.
• How it supports evidence in a real incident.

Poor installers simply mount cameras wherever it’s easy.

8. Can You See Examples of Previous Work?

Ask for photos of previous installations, including cabling, brackets and real Pretoria projects. Neat work is instantly visible and shows whether the installer takes pride in their craft.

9. How Should You Compare Quotes?

Do not choose based on price alone. Compare:

• Cable type and quality.
• Surge and lightning protection.
• Camera specifications and night vision.
• NVR capacity and hard drive size.
• Bracket quality and mounting detail.
• Warranty, installation detail and support availability.

A transparent, detailed quote is the sign of a professional. A vague quote is a warning sign.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right cctv installer pretoria is about more than price. It’s about expertise, wiring quality, configuration, reliability and long-term support. Your CCTV system is an investment in your family’s safety – it deserves to be done right.

Working with an experienced CCTV installer helps ensure your system is installed correctly and performs when needed.