Count entry points, not rooms
The common mistake is to count square footage or bedrooms. Burglars do not come through the square footage. They come through doors and ground-floor windows, so that is what you count. A compact house with two doors needs fewer cameras than a sprawling one with four exterior doors and a detached garage, even if they are the same size inside.
The spots worth covering first
Start with the must-haves. The front door is non-negotiable, both for security and for seeing deliveries and visitors. The back door is where a surprising share of break-ins happen, because it is out of sight from the street. Then the driveway or garage, which covers vehicles and the most common approach, and finally any side gates or a second-story access point like a low roof or a deck.
Small home, large home, corner lot
A small home or townhouse often lands at three or four cameras. A typical single-family home with front, back, driveway, and a yard view sits comfortably at four to six. A large property, a corner lot with two street-facing sides, or a home with outbuildings can need more, and at that point the question shifts from how many to where, which is a placement conversation.
Why placement beats quantity
Six cameras aimed at the wrong angles leave more gaps than four placed well. A single camera covering the driveway, the front walk, and the garage approach can do the work of three poorly aimed ones. Before you buy more cameras, make sure the ones you have are pointed at the paths someone would actually take.
How we figure it out
Rather than guess, we walk the property, note the entry points and the blind spots, and recommend the smallest number of cameras that leaves no gaps. You end up paying for coverage, not for cameras, and you can add more later as your needs change.
Frequently asked questions
Is more cameras always better?
No. Good placement of a few cameras beats a pile of cameras pointed at the wrong spots.
Do I need a camera in every room?
Rarely. Focus on entries and main areas, and respect privacy in bedrooms and bathrooms.
Can I add cameras later?
Yes. We size systems so you can start with the essentials and expand.
