CCTV is easy to sell and hard to judge. Two quotes can look similar and deliver very different systems. A licensed, accountable installer matters most when something goes wrong: a camera fails, an inspector arrives, or you need footage after an incident.
1. Ask which approvals apply
Approvals depend on the emirate and your premises:
- Dubai businesses that fall under SIRA need work done by a SIRA-licensed company. See SIRA CCTV requirements.
- Sharjah businesses are commonly expected to use a company approved by Sharjah Police. See Sharjah Police CCTV requirements.
- Abu Dhabi has its own framework. See Abu Dhabi CCTV requirements.
- Homes do not usually need an approval process, but a registered company is still safer.
Ask to see the documents and the licence number, and check them with the issuing authority.
2. Insist on a site survey
An installer who quotes without seeing the site is guessing. A survey should produce positions, cable routes, mounting heights and notes about lighting and glare.
3. Compare camera schedules, not totals
Ask every company for a schedule listing each camera's position, model, resolution and purpose, plus the recorder model, disk size and days of recording. Then check:
| Item | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Cameras | Resolution and lens suited to each position |
| Recorder | Enough channels for future cameras |
| Storage | Surveillance-grade disk, days stated |
| Cabling | Conduit or trunking, not surface clips |
| Power | UPS for recorder and switch |
| Setup | Phone viewing and training included |
4. Check the warranty and support
Find out the warranty period for cameras, recorder and workmanship, who handles claims, and how fast they respond to faults. Local, reachable support beats a distant brand name.
5. Ask about maintenance
Cameras get dirty, disks wear out and firmware ages. Ask what an annual maintenance contract includes and how often visits happen. For regulated premises, ongoing maintenance is commonly expected. See CCTV maintenance in Dubai.
6. Look at recent work, not claims
Ask for references you can contact. Be cautious about unverifiable awards or huge project numbers, and look at real installation photos.
Red flags
- No written quote or camera schedule
- Pressure to pay a large deposit immediately
- "Approved by everyone" with no document
- Unbranded recorders with no model number
- Default passwords left on the system
- No mention of storage or recording days
Questions to take with you
- Which authority approves your company, and what is the number?
- What exactly will each camera see?
- How many days will the system record at these settings?
- What happens if a camera fails in month 14?
- Who owns the admin password at handover?
Our own position, plainly
We are a Sharjah-based installer with a Sharjah Police approval for installing surveillance and alarm systems; the certificate is on our Sharjah Police approved CCTV page. We serve Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman. We do not currently hold a SIRA licence. You can request a CCTV quote and ask us any of the questions above.
Conclusion
Choose on documents, a written schedule, support and maintenance, then price. That order protects you from the cheap quote that costs twice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check that a CCTV company is licensed?
Ask for the trade licence and the relevant security approval for the emirate where the work is, then check it with the issuing authority. Be wary of anyone who cannot show a document.
Is the cheapest quote usually the worst?
Not always, but a very low price often means fewer cameras, less storage, surface-run cables or no maintenance. Compare camera schedules, not totals.
