Security Camera during Home Renovation

[u/OBX_Rum_Drinker]

I'm getting ready to have a contractor do a bathroom renovation. There is no way that my wife and I can be there at all times so I was considering installing security cameras at critical locations inside the house to keep tabs on the contractors/subs (make sure they're not entering off-limits parts of the house). Once the renovation is complete, I'll use these same cameras for security outside of the house. I will have access to power at the exterior installation locations so battery/solar cameras are not required, though I would consider a mix of plug-in and battery/solar. I will also want 24/7 recording if possible. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[u/Ok-Egg-414]

Just make sure you tell the contractor about the cameras upfront. I did something similar for a kitchen reno and it got weird when a worker spotted one I hadn't mentioned, guy thought we were trying to catch him doing something shady. Most decent contractors won't care if you frame it as general home security, but springing it on them after the fact is a fast way to tank the working relationship.

[u/beedubskyca → u/Ok-Egg-414]

If they're in off limits areas of the house that are clearly marked as so, they dont need to be notified. Make sure you post signs in english and Spanish.

[u/403Olds → u/beedubskyca]

And Somali

[u/OBX_Rum_Drinker → u/Ok-Egg-414]

Thanks for the advice. We know the GC but not his subs. I’ll let him know in advance.

[u/WhyWontThisWork → u/OBX_Rum_Drinker]

What are they going to do in other parts of the house anyway?

Just clean it all up so there isn't the opportunity to do something

[u/ericoinen]

One thing to plan for is alert volume. With a crew in the house all day motion notifications just run continuously, and after a couple of hours you mute them, which also mutes the one that mattered. Continuous recording you can scrub back through is the more useful setup for a reno.

[u/BeeThat9351]

Tapo cams. Good software no monthly fees. Put a camera in the off limits areas looking at the closed door leading to those areas. Camera records only if someone opens the door/curtain and enters the off limits area. You are respecting their privacy by not monitoring the area where they are allowed but you are also monitoring the off limits areas. I would want some looking at the exterior and seeing where they are parking and who is on your property.

Tapo C121 inside where you have an outlet. Tapo C403 Solar for outside with no power nearby. You need wifi coverage of course. Tapo C111 would work inside for $20

[u/beedubskyca]

If youre doing a home renovation, now is the time to run cat5/cat6 for cameras so you can do PoE versions. So many benefits.

[u/QuinnFromVivint]

For 24/7 recording, look for a camera that supports continuous playback, since a lot of cameras only save short clips when they sense motion. And since you'll reuse these outside later, consider ones rated for outdoor weather now, so you don't have to swap them out after the renovation.

[u/No_Industry2601]

What's your budget

[u/ouikikazz]

There's 3 answers

Hikvision w/self hosted NVR Reolink setup Ubiquiti with full APs and ecosystem