CCTV, Burglar Alarm & Home Security FAQs

We design and install CCTV systems and security cameras, burglar and intruder alarms, and home security systems that combine an alarm and CCTV in one plan. Having one installer for everything means one point of contact and one system that works as a whole.

Yes. We work with homeowners, landlords and tenants (with the landlord’s permission), as well as shops, offices, warehouses and other commercial premises. Every system is designed around the property and how it is used.

Yes. Your survey and written quotation are free and there is no obligation to go ahead. We will explain what we recommend and why, so you can compare options with confidence.

Call us on 0800 888 6772 or complete the enquiry form with a few details about your property and what you would like to protect. We will arrange a convenient time to discuss your requirements and, where needed, visit for a survey.

Often, yes. Depending on the make, age and condition of your current equipment, we may be able to reuse cabling, add new cameras or detectors, or replace the parts that are letting the system down. We will tell you honestly what is worth keeping.

We cover the whole of Greater Manchester, including Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Trafford, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Tameside and Wigan. Send us your postcode with your enquiry and we will confirm we can help.

The cost depends on the number and type of cameras, how far cables need to run, how much recording storage you need and whether any specialist mounting is required. We provide a free, itemised quote after understanding your property, so you only pay for what you need.

Most properties need fewer cameras than people expect when each one is positioned well. We look at entrances, driveways, side access and blind spots, then recommend the smallest number of cameras that gives you clear, useful coverage.

Yes, you can use CCTV to protect your home. However, if your cameras capture images beyond your property boundary, such as a neighbour’s garden, shared areas or a public footpath, UK data protection law applies. You should be able to justify the coverage, tell people that recording is taking place, keep footage secure and only for as long as necessary, and respond to requests for footage. These rules come from UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, and if someone asks for footage of themselves (a subject access request) you normally have one month to respond. We position cameras to focus on your property and minimise capturing other people’s. The ICO’s guidance on using home CCTV systems explains your responsibilities in full.

Planning permission is not usually needed for domestic CCTV cameras. If your home is a listed building or in a conservation area, or you live in a flat or leasehold property, check with your local planning authority, freeholder or managing agent before installation. We are happy to talk this through with you.

Yes. The systems we install can be viewed live and played back through a smartphone app, and you can receive motion alerts when activity is detected. We set the app up with you and show you how to find and download footage.

Yes. Modern cameras use infrared night vision to produce clear black-and-white images in darkness, and colour night vision models can show colour images using low light or built-in illumination. We recommend the right type for each position.

Footage is stored on a recorder’s hard drive and the oldest recordings are overwritten automatically. How long it is kept depends on the drive size, number of cameras, resolution and recording settings. We size the storage to suit you and keep retention proportionate.

Wired IP cameras (often powered over a single network cable) are usually the most reliable choice for permanent installations because they do not depend on Wi-Fi signal or batteries. Wireless cameras can suit locations where running cables is impractical. We will recommend the best option for each camera position.

Wired alarms connect each detector to the control panel with cable, making them very dependable and low maintenance. Wireless alarms use radio signals and batteries, so installation is quicker and tidier, especially in finished homes. Hybrid systems combine both. We will explain which suits your property.

A bells-only alarm sounds its siren and flashes its strobe when triggered, relying on people nearby to respond. A self-monitored (smart) alarm also sends notifications to your phone. Monitored alarms connect to an alarm receiving centre that contacts nominated keyholders. If you are interested in police response, ask us and we will explain the requirements involved.

Pet-tolerant motion detectors are designed to ignore smaller animals, and careful positioning makes a big difference. Tell us about your pets during the survey and we will plan detection around them.

Yes, with an app-enabled alarm you can set, unset and check your system remotely, receive alerts and see which detector was triggered. Keypads and key fobs can still be used at home.

In the UK, intruder alarms are graded from 1 to 4 under the BS EN 50131 series of standards (applied here through PD 6662), based on the level of risk. Grade 2 is typically used for homes and lower-risk commercial premises, while Grade 3 is used for higher-risk sites. Your insurer may specify a grade, so it is worth checking your policy.

Some insurers offer different terms when a suitable alarm is fitted, and some require one for higher-value properties. Requirements vary, so check with your insurer before installation and we will make sure the system meets what they ask for wherever possible.

Yes. Regular servicing keeps detectors, batteries, sirens and signalling working correctly and helps prevent false alarms. We recommend at least an annual service, and some insurers or monitoring arrangements require it.

Only if the alarm meets the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) security systems policy. In short, it must be installed and maintained by a company certified by a UKAS-accredited body such as NSI or SSAIB, meet BS EN 50131 and PD 6662, use confirmation technology (BS 8243) and be monitored by an approved alarm receiving centre. The police then issue a unique reference number (URN), and you need at least two keyholders who can attend within 20 minutes. Bells-only and self-monitored alarms do not get an automatic police response, so if you see evidence of a crime, call 999. We will explain honestly which option suits your property.

It depends on your home, but a typical system combines an intruder alarm with CCTV cameras covering entrances and outdoor areas. Everything is planned together, so the cameras and detectors cover each other’s gaps and work as one system.

Where the equipment allows, we design systems so the alarm and cameras can be managed from as few apps as possible, ideally one. We will be upfront about which equipment shares an app and which needs its own.

Not always. An alarm detects and deters a break-in as it happens, while CCTV records what happened and lets you check in remotely. Many homes benefit from both, but we will only recommend what your property actually needs.

A well-designed system keeps protecting your home locally. Cameras can continue recording to the on-site recorder and alarms run on backup batteries. Remote viewing and app notifications resume when the connection returns. Ask us about backup options such as mobile signalling.

Yes. Wireless alarms and discreet cameras are well suited to flats and rented homes. Tenants should get the landlord’s permission first, and we can suggest options that minimise drilling and are easy to remove.

We walk the property with you, look at entry points, lighting, cable routes, Wi-Fi and power, and talk through your routine and concerns. You then receive a clear written quote explaining exactly what we recommend.

Many home systems are installed in a single day, while larger or wired systems and commercial sites can take longer. We will confirm the expected timescale in your quote and agree a date that suits you.

We plan cable routes carefully, use dust sheets, keep cabling as discreet as possible and tidy up before we leave. If any compromises are needed, we will discuss them with you first.

Yes. Before we leave, we demonstrate the system, set up the apps on your phones, and show you how to set the alarm, view cameras and find recordings. You are welcome to get in touch afterwards with any questions.