Home CCTV gives real peace of mind — you can check on your property from your phone, deter would-be intruders, and have footage if anything ever happens. But there’s more to a good system than buying a kit online. Here’s what to know before you install.
Use a PSA-licensed installer
In Ireland, the installation and maintenance of CCTV and alarm systems is regulated — it must be carried out by a contractor licensed by the Private Security Authority (PSA). That licensing protects you: it means the work is done to standard by an accountable, vetted business. Always check for a PSA licence number. (Ours is PSA No. 05846.)
Choosing cameras
A few things actually matter:
- Resolution — enough detail to identify a face or a number plate, not just a vague shape.
- Night vision — most incidents happen after dark, so good low-light performance is essential.
- Field of view — covering entrances, the driveway and approaches rather than just one spot.
- Weatherproofing — outdoor cameras need to handle Irish weather year-round.
We’ll recommend the right cameras and positions for your property rather than a one-size-fits-all bundle.
Viewing and recording
Modern systems let you view live and recorded footage on your phone, wherever you are. For recording, footage is typically stored on a local recorder (NVR) and/or in the cloud. Local storage keeps everything on-site; cloud adds off-site backup. We’ll set up reliable recording with enough retention to be useful.
The privacy rules (don’t skip this)
Home CCTV is brilliant for protecting your own property, but there are sensible privacy rules:
- Aim cameras at your own property — your house, driveway and garden.
- Avoid filming neighbours’ homes/gardens or large stretches of public footpath/road where you can. If some spill-over is unavoidable, minimise it (and modern systems let you mask areas).
- Be reasonable and proportionate — the goal is securing your home, not surveilling the street.
A good installer will position cameras to protect your property while respecting these boundaries.
Professional vs DIY
DIY kits exist, but a professional install gets you: the right cameras in the right places, tidy and weatherproof cabling, a properly configured recorder and phone app, and — importantly — a PSA-licensed, certified job you can rely on. It’s the difference between footage that actually helps and a camera pointing at the wrong spot when it matters.
Secure your home properly
We design, install and maintain PSA-licensed CCTV and intruder alarms for homes across Carlow and the South-East — set up so you can check in from your phone and rest easy.
See our CCTV & intruder alarms service or get a free, no-obligation quote and we’ll recommend the right system for your home.