Cheap Install of Security Cameras (insurance, house, buy)

[maryjo313]

Not long ago I was lucky enough to get a nice security camera kit from Amazon (I'm a reviewer for them and get all kinds of products for free). Unfortunately though it's a wired system so needs to be installed by someone that can run the wires through the walls. None of the guys I know feel able to handle this and I really can't afford to pay much due to major medical issues I've been dealing with over the last year (even with insurance, deductibles and co-pays have sapped my savings). I hate to not use it, it's a $650 system and being a single woman that lives and works at home I certainly would feel safer having some kind of security system in place. If anyone knows someone that might be able to help me out without charging me an arm and a leg, please reply or drop me a PM.

Mary Jo

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by maryjo313

Not long ago I was lucky enough to get a nice security camera kit from Amazon
Unfortunately though it's a wired system...
None of the guys I know feel able to handle this...

Sell it.

If you actually need security cameras... buy a wireless system

[glazersight]

Originally Posted by maryjo313

Not long ago I was lucky enough to get a nice security camera kit from Amazon (I'm a reviewer for them and get all kinds of products for free). Unfortunately though it's a wired system so needs to be installed by someone that can run the wires through the walls. None of the guys I know feel able to handle this and I really can't afford to pay much due to major medical issues I've been dealing with over the last year (even with insurance, deductibles and co-pays have sapped my savings). I hate to not use it, it's a $650 system and being a single woman that lives and works at home I certainly would feel safer having some kind of security system in place. If anyone knows someone that might be able to help me out without charging me an arm and a leg, please reply or drop me a PM.

One way of looking at it -- if you get a bad painter, plumber, hvac tech or carpenter, you will usually know it long before there's any potential for harm, because there will be signs of shoddy work. House not cooling/heating properly, wood not lining up right, paint peeling, pipes leaking, etc.

Electrical work is different: it is possiblefor things to be working while unbeknownst to the homeowner, big dangers are looming as a result of unlicensed/shoddy work.

For that reason (security system aside), if you decide to do anything "wired", even simple electrical work, get a reputable electrician to do it, not just friends who know enough to get things working.

There's a long list of DIY'ers that took on electrical projects, feeling clever about it upon completion, but never got it permitted or checked by a pro only to burn down the house or electrocute someone later.

[Esteban Dime]

Does anyone have a recommended licensed electrician for residential work?

[Supernc42]

Originally Posted by Esteban Dime

Does anyone have a recommended licensed electrician for residential work?

Voltage Electric- Dennis Johnson 919-369-1272

[cheapdad00]

Originally Posted by glazersight

One way of looking at it -- if you get a bad painter, plumber, hvac tech or carpenter, you will usually know it long before there's any potential for harm, because there will be signs of shoddy work. House not cooling/heating properly, wood not lining up right, paint peeling, pipes leaking, etc.

Electrical work is different: it is possiblefor things to be working while unbeknownst to the homeowner, big dangers are looming as a result of unlicensed/shoddy work.

For that reason (security system aside), if you decide to do anything "wired", even simple electrical work, get a reputable electrician to do it, not just friends who know enough to get things working.

There's a long list of DIY'ers that took on electrical projects, feeling clever about it upon completion, but never got it permitted or checked by a pro only to burn down the house or electrocute someone later.

Does this really happen often - house burned down by DIY electrical work? House fires seem so rare and I hear more about cigarettes in trash cans, lightning strikes than electrical malfunction.

I'm also not sure it applies to OP's situation as the security system would be low voltage wiring which should not cause a fire even with exposed wiring.

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by cheapdad00

Does this really happen often - house burned down by DIY electrical work? House fires seem so rare and I hear more about cigarettes in trash cans, lightning strikes than electrical malfunction.

I'm also not sure it applies to OP's situation as the security system would be low voltage wiring which should not cause a fire even with exposed wiring.

My subpanel was (I assume) installed by a licensed electrician and (I assume) passed city inspection yet they didn't even put grommets on the holes when they ran wires in.

DIY'ing it I've done a few small projects and feel MUCH more secure about my work using folks on online forums for help than a quickie job by someone else. I did it "the right way" no expense spared because to do it right, only costs a couple bucks more yet it seems "the pros" skip it because it takes quite a bit more time.

[Bpobill]

Originally Posted by cheapdad00

Does this really happen often - house burned down by DIY electrical work? House fires seem so rare and I hear more about cigarettes in trash cans, lightning strikes than electrical malfunction.

I'm also not sure it applies to OP's situation as the security system would be low voltage wiring which should not cause a fire even with exposed wiring.

Homes burn down a lot due to poor electrical work. Cameras will need power in order to function which means it needs an outlet nearby.

OP just sell the system.

[maryjo313]

As cheapdad said, this isn't really a job you would need an electrician for as it doesn't actually involve the home electrical system in any way. It's pretty similar to wiring up a surround sound theater system, just needs someone able to fish wires through the walls and ceiling, etc. But yeah, I may just have to sell it and hope I get enough for a decent wireless system that doesn't require cutting through my walls.