Why the Cheapest CCTV Quote Is Not Always the Best CCTV Installation in Kenya.
When a company, apartment, school, warehouse, hospital, farm or residential property in Kenya needs CCTV, it is common to request quotations from three different CCTV companies and compare the prices before deciding who gets the job.
Getting several quotations is a sensible procurement practice. It helps a customer understand the market price and compare equipment, installation costs and service options.
However, there is an important problem when the decision is based mainly on the lowest price.
A CCTV system is not simply a collection of cameras, NVRs, cables and hard drives. It is a security system that must be designed around what the customer actually needs to see, identify, record and retrieve later.
A cheaper CCTV quotation can sometimes look attractive on paper but leave important security gaps that only become obvious after the installation has been completed.
At Boardtac Solutions, we have seen this principle first-hand during CCTV site surveys and troubleshooting work in Nairobi.
One particular case involving Dahua ANPR cameras provides a good example of why the quality of the CCTV design and installation should be considered alongside the price.
A real CCTV installation lesson from a Nairobi site
A customer in Nairobi initially approached Boardtac Solutions for a quotation for a Dahua ANPR number plate recognition CCTV system.
Our team assessed the requirement and prepared a quotation based on the site and the intended use of the ANPR cameras.
The customer later decided to proceed with another CCTV installation company offering a cheaper quotation.
There is nothing unusual about this. Customers have every right to compare CCTV companies and choose the quotation they consider appropriate.
The important lesson came later.
One of our technicians was subsequently requested by the same customer to carry out another site survey within the facility.
During that visit, the technician observed how the installed CCTV and ANPR system had actually been positioned.
This revealed a number of issues that demonstrate why CCTV installation should be evaluated based on coverage and functionality, not simply the number of cameras or the price on the quotation.
The first problem was the direction of the ANPR cameras
The facility had two Dahua ANPR cameras installed around the entrance and exit gates.
At the entrance, the ANPR cameras were positioned outside the entry gate and facing vehicles approaching the facility.
For a normal car entering the facility, this arrangement could capture the front registration plate.
However, there was another important type of road user to consider.
Motorcycles.
Under Kenya’s registration plate rules, a motorcycle has one registration plate fixed at the rear.
This means that an ANPR camera positioned outside the entrance and facing the front of an approaching motorcycle is not looking at the motorcycle’s registration plate.
The motorcycle can enter the facility, but its registration number may not be captured from that camera position.
That is not necessarily a problem with the Dahua camera itself.
It is a system design and camera positioning problem.
The camera can only recognise what it is positioned and configured to see.
The exit gate created the same problem in reverse
The second ANPR camera was positioned at the exit gate, inside the facility and facing vehicles leaving the property.
Again, a car leaving the facility could have its front registration plate captured.
But consider what happens to a motorcycle.
The motorcycle entered the property with its registration plate at the rear.
The entrance camera was looking at the front of the motorcycle, so the rear plate was not visible.
When the motorcycle later leaves the facility, the exit ANPR camera is also looking at the front of the motorcycle.
The rear registration plate is therefore facing away from the exit camera.
The result is a significant gap.
The motorcycle can enter without its registration number being captured and leave without its registration number being captured.
From a security-management perspective, that is very different from simply saying, “There are two ANPR cameras at the entrance and exit.”
The important question is not:
How many ANPR cameras were installed?
The important question is:
What vehicles can those cameras actually identify, from which direction, and at what point in their movement?
This is why an ANPR site survey matters
ANPR installation requires considerably more planning than simply mounting a camera near a gate.
The camera needs a suitable view of the number plate, an appropriate capture distance, suitable mounting position and acceptable viewing angle.
Dahua’s own ANPR installation documentation emphasises the importance of planning the camera position before installation. Its documentation also specifies requirements around capture distance, detection width, mounting height and the angle between the camera and the licence plate.
Dahua documentation also provides different recognition settings and capture directions, including approaching vehicles, departing vehicles and both directions, depending on the camera and configuration.
This illustrates an important point for anyone buying ANPR CCTV in Kenya.
Buying a Dahua ANPR camera does not automatically create a good ANPR system.
The camera still has to be installed in a location where the number plate can actually be seen and recognised.
The CCTV coverage inside the gate was another concern
The site survey also identified another gap.
There was no CCTV camera covering the inside area of the gate and no CCTV camera providing dedicated coverage of the parking area.
This matters because an entrance ANPR camera and a general security camera do not necessarily serve the same purpose.
An ANPR camera is primarily concerned with identifying vehicle registration plates.
A security camera may be needed to establish what happened around the vehicle.
For example, if a vehicle enters a property, the customer may want to know:
Who was driving it?
Who was standing near the vehicle?
What happened after the vehicle entered?
Which parking area did it use?
Was anything removed from the vehicle?
Which person approached the vehicle?
Was there an incident around the gate?
An ANPR record can potentially answer which registration number was detected.
A properly designed CCTV system should also help answer what happened around that vehicle.
That is why ANPR should normally be considered as part of a wider security camera design rather than treated as the entire solution.
A vehicle entry and exit system should be designed as a complete process
When designing CCTV for a gate, we recommend thinking about the complete movement of people and vehicles.
Consider the following questions before installing the cameras.
What happens before the vehicle reaches the gate?
Where is the vehicle’s registration plate visible?
Is the vehicle approaching or departing?
What happens if the vehicle is a motorcycle?
Where does the vehicle stop?
Where does the driver interact with the guard or access-control system?
What happens after the vehicle enters?
Where is the parking area?
Which areas need identification-level CCTV?
Where could an incident occur?
What camera will provide evidence if something happens between the entrance and parking area?
What happens when the vehicle leaves?
These questions can completely change the CCTV camera layout.
CCTV design should consider motorcycles in Kenya
This is particularly important for properties that receive a mixture of cars, motorcycles, delivery riders, taxis, staff vehicles and commercial vehicles.
A design that works perfectly for cars may not provide the same identification coverage for motorcycles.
Kenyan regulations specifically provide for a single motorcycle registration plate at the rear.
Therefore, if the customer’s requirement is to record the registration number of motorcycles entering and leaving a property, the CCTV designer needs to account for the rear-facing motorcycle plate.
Depending on the site layout, this may require a different camera position, additional camera coverage, or a different entrance and exit capture strategy.
There is no universal camera placement that is correct for every gate.
The second issue was the way the Cat6 cable had been installed
The site survey also revealed a cabling concern.
The Cat6 network cable serving the cameras had been routed along the fence and attached using cable ties.
At first glance, the cameras may work perfectly.
The video may be clear.
The ANPR may be recognising plates.
The NVR may be recording.
So why should the cabling matter?
Because a CCTV installation should be designed for the environment in which it will operate, not only for the day it is handed over to the customer.
A network cable running exposed along a perimeter fence is potentially vulnerable to environmental exposure, physical damage, accidental cutting, tampering and deterioration.
A cable installation should consider the physical environment, particularly where the cable is installed outdoors, near a public access area or along a perimeter that can be reached by people.
Depending on the site, the appropriate solution may involve suitable outdoor-rated cable, conduit, trunking, protective piping, proper clips or supports, junction boxes and other mechanical protection.
The correct solution depends on the installation environment.
The important point is that cable management is part of the security installation.
A CCTV camera can be expensive while the installation around it is poorly designed
This is one of the biggest misunderstandings we encounter in CCTV projects.
A customer may compare two quotations and see that both companies are offering the same brand.
For example:
Dahua ANPR camera.
Dahua NVR.
Cat6 cable.
PoE switch.
Hard drive.
Monitor.
Installation.
The quotations may appear almost identical.
But the actual installation can be completely different.
One installer may spend more time on:
Site assessment.
Camera positioning.
ANPR capture testing.
Vehicle movement analysis.
Cable protection.
Network design.
PoE requirements.
Surge protection.
Earthing considerations.
Storage calculations.
Night-time testing.
IR and white-light performance.
Human identification coverage.
Parking-area coverage.
Gate coverage.
NVR configuration.
Remote viewing.
User permissions.
Recording verification.
System documentation.
The other installation may simply involve mounting the equipment and making sure everything displays an image.
Both systems may be “working”.
They are not necessarily providing the same level of security.
The cheapest CCTV quote can sometimes become the most expensive
This does not mean that the cheapest CCTV company is always bad.
It is important to be fair about that.
A lower quotation can be completely legitimate.
One company may have better supplier pricing, lower overheads, different equipment margins or a more efficient installation process.
The problem arises when price becomes the only selection criterion.
Suppose a customer saves KSh 100,000 by choosing a cheaper quotation.
Several months later, they discover that an important entrance is not covered, motorcycles are not being captured properly, cables have been damaged or the parking area has no useful identification footage.
Correcting the problem may require:
New cameras.
New brackets.
Additional network cable.
New conduits.
Additional switches.
Civil works.
Repositioning cameras.
Reconfiguring the NVR.
Replacing unsuitable equipment.
Additional labour.
Downtime.
In some cases, the customer effectively pays twice.
This is why the real cost of a CCTV system should be considered over its entire operating life.
What should be compared when requesting three CCTV quotations in Kenya?
Requesting three quotations is a good practice.
But instead of comparing only the final amount, ask each CCTV company to explain the design.
A good CCTV quotation should make it reasonably clear:
1. What is being protected?
Is the project for a home, apartment, office, school, warehouse, hospital, farm, construction site, retail shop or industrial facility?
2. What areas are covered?
Ask for a camera layout or site plan showing the proposed camera positions.
3. What does each camera cover?
A camera count alone does not tell you what the system can see.
4. What type of camera is being proposed?
Dome, bullet, turret, PTZ, ANPR, ColorVu, full-colour, thermal, 4G, solar or another camera type may have completely different purposes.
5. Where will the cameras be mounted?
Camera height and viewing angle matter.
6. How will vehicles be captured?
For ANPR, ask specifically how cars and motorcycles will be captured.
7. How will night-time identification work?
A camera that produces a good daytime image is not automatically suitable for night-time identification.
8. How will cables be protected?
Ask whether outdoor cables will be exposed or protected.
9. What happens if the network cable is damaged?
The installation should consider maintainability and physical security.
10. How much recording storage is required?
Storage should be based on camera count, resolution, frame rate, compression, recording mode and required retention period.
11. Has the installation been tested?
The installer should verify actual camera views rather than assuming that the design will work because the equipment is powered.
What makes a good CCTV site survey?
A proper CCTV site survey should not simply involve walking around the property and counting cameras.
The technician should understand the customer’s security objectives.
For example, for a commercial gate, the survey may consider:
The direction of vehicle movement.
The width of the entrance.
The position of the security guard.
The location of the barrier.
The stopping point.
The distance from the camera to the capture point.
The height of the camera.
The angle to the number plate.
Lighting conditions.
Headlights at night.
Sunlight direction.
Vehicle types.
Motorcycles.
Trucks.
Delivery vehicles.
Parking areas.
Pedestrian movement.
Network infrastructure.
Power availability.
Cable routes.
Potential vandalism.
Internet connectivity.
NVR location.
Storage requirements.
Future expansion.
This is where an experienced CCTV installer adds value.
ANPR is not simply “a camera that reads number plates”
ANPR, or Automatic Number Plate Recognition, is designed to detect and recognise vehicle registration plates.
But recognition depends on the scene.
A camera may have excellent specifications but still produce poor results if the installation conditions are unsuitable.
Dahua’s technical documentation, for example, specifies particular requirements relating to plate pixels, capture distance, mounting height and camera angle.
Dahua also documents different capture scenarios and vehicle-detection settings, including options relating to approaching and departing vehicles and motorcycle or bicycle recognition on applicable models.
This is why the correct question is not simply:
“Which ANPR camera should we buy?”
The better question is:
“How should the ANPR system be designed for this particular entrance and the vehicles that use it?”
The difference between equipment supply and security-system design
Anyone can sell a CCTV camera.
The more important skill is understanding where that camera should be installed and what evidence it needs to provide.
For example, a customer may request eight cameras.
A professional installer should not automatically say, “Yes, eight cameras.”
The installer should ask why eight cameras are required and where they are expected to provide coverage.
Perhaps six strategically positioned cameras would provide better identification than eight poorly positioned cameras.
Or perhaps eight are insufficient because the property has multiple blind spots.
The number of cameras should follow the security requirement.
Why camera placement matters more than camera count
Imagine two CCTV systems.
System A has 16 cameras but several cameras are pointed too high, some cover large areas where faces cannot be identified and the gate cameras cannot properly capture motorcycle plates.
System B has 12 cameras strategically positioned at entrances, exits, parking areas, corridors and critical access points.
Which system is better?
The answer is not automatically the one with 16 cameras.
Good CCTV is about useful coverage, not simply more cameras.
A good CCTV installation should be tested before handover
Before a CCTV project is handed over, the installer should verify more than whether every camera appears on the monitor.
For ordinary CCTV cameras, check:
Image quality.
Daytime visibility.
Night-time visibility.
Focus.
Field of view.
Blind spots.
Face identification.
Recording.
Playback.
Time and date.
Storage.
Remote viewing where applicable.
Motion detection where applicable.
Camera naming.
Network connectivity.
For ANPR, additional checks should include:
Vehicle capture direction.
Number plate visibility.
Capture distance.
Plate recognition.
Day and night performance.
Different vehicle types.
Motorcycle capture.
Vehicle speed and stopping behaviour.
Lighting and headlights.
Correct timestamping.
Event and plate data where supported.
These tests can expose design problems before the customer depends on the system for an actual security incident.
What happened in this Nairobi case is a useful lesson
The purpose of sharing this experience is not to attack the company that carried out the installation.
The customer made a commercial decision and selected the quotation they considered suitable.
The lesson is much broader.
A CCTV quotation can look cheaper because some elements of the design, protection or coverage have not been fully considered.
The customer may not discover the difference until after the installation.
This is particularly important with specialised systems such as ANPR, access control, perimeter security, intercoms and large CCTV networks.
The equipment specification is only one part of the project.
The installation design is equally important.
Questions to ask your CCTV installer before accepting a quotation
Before selecting a CCTV installation company in Kenya, ask:
Will you provide a camera layout?
What exactly will each camera see?
Can you demonstrate how the cameras will capture both cars and motorcycles?
Where will the ANPR capture point be?
Will the cameras work correctly at night?
How will the cables be protected outdoors?
What happens if someone damages a cable along the perimeter?
Which areas will remain blind spots?
How long will the system retain recordings?
Will the NVR have enough storage?
Will the system be tested before handover?
Will you provide documentation of the installed system?
What support is available after installation?
These questions can reveal a significant difference between two quotations that initially appear almost identical.
How Boardtac Solutions approaches CCTV installation in Kenya
At Boardtac Solutions, we believe a CCTV project should begin with understanding the customer’s security requirement rather than simply counting cameras.
Our approach can include site assessment, camera positioning, network planning, cable routing, equipment selection, installation, configuration, testing and after-installation support.
We work with CCTV systems from manufacturers including Hikvision, Dahua, Uniview, Tiandy, Ezviz and Imou, depending on the requirements of the project.
Our CCTV work covers different environments, including homes, offices, apartments, shops, farms, schools, construction sites and commercial facilities.
For specialised requirements such as ANPR, the site conditions become even more important.
The objective is not simply to install a camera.
The objective is to make sure the camera provides useful security evidence where the customer actually needs it.
The bottom line
If you are looking for CCTV installation in Kenya, do not compare quotations based only on the final price.
Compare the design, coverage, equipment, installation method, cable protection, testing, storage, support and experience behind the price.
A cheap CCTV system that misses the critical area may be more expensive than a properly designed system from the beginning.
The Nairobi ANPR case described above is a good example.
Two ANPR cameras can be installed at an entrance and exit and both can be working perfectly, yet the system can still fail to capture the registration number of a particular class of vehicle because of the direction in which the cameras are facing.
That is why professional CCTV installation is not just about mounting cameras.
It is about understanding what needs to be seen, from where, at what distance, in which direction, under what lighting conditions and for what security purpose.
Before you choose the cheapest CCTV quotation, ask yourself one question.
If something happens tomorrow, will the cameras actually capture the evidence you need?
If the answer is uncertain, the quotation needs another technical review before the installation begins.
Frequently Asked Questions About CCTV Installation in Kenya
What should I consider when choosing a CCTV installation company in Kenya?
Consider the installer’s experience, proposed camera layout, equipment quality, camera positioning, cable protection, network design, recording storage, night-time performance, testing procedures and after-sales support. Do not compare CCTV quotations on price alone.
Is the cheapest CCTV installation company always the worst option?
No. A lower price does not automatically mean poor workmanship. The important issue is whether the quotation provides the required coverage, equipment and installation quality. Compare what each quotation actually delivers rather than comparing only the total price.
Why is CCTV camera positioning important?
Camera positioning determines what the camera can actually see. Height, distance, viewing angle, lighting and vehicle direction can affect identification and ANPR performance.
Can an ANPR camera capture motorcycle number plates?
It can, depending on the specific camera, configuration and installation design. In Kenya, motorcycles have a single registration plate at the rear, so the camera must be positioned to see that rear plate.
Can one ANPR camera cover both cars and motorcycles?
It depends on the camera model, traffic direction, lane configuration, mounting position and capture requirements. The site should be assessed rather than assuming that one camera placement will work for every vehicle type.
Why does an ANPR camera need a proper capture distance?
ANPR recognition depends on the registration plate occupying enough pixels in the image and being viewed within suitable geometric conditions. Dahua’s installation documentation specifies capture-distance, mounting-height and plate-image requirements for its ANPR systems.
Should CCTV cables installed outdoors be protected?
Outdoor CCTV cabling should be installed with the environment and risk of physical damage in mind. Depending on the site, suitable conduit, trunking, protective piping, supports and outdoor-rated cabling may be appropriate.
Does a CCTV site survey really matter?
Yes. A site survey helps determine camera positions, coverage, lighting, network connectivity, cable routes, power requirements, storage and potential blind spots before equipment is installed.
Why can two CCTV quotations for the same cameras have very different prices?
The quotations may differ in cable length, cable protection, brackets, switches, storage, installation complexity, civil works, configuration, testing, warranty and support. Two quotations containing the same camera model are not necessarily offering the same complete CCTV system.
How many CCTV cameras does a property need?
There is no universal number. The required number depends on the property’s size, layout, security objectives, entrances, exits, parking areas, perimeter, critical rooms and required identification level.
Can Boardtac Solutions conduct a CCTV site survey in Nairobi?
Yes. Boardtac Solutions provides CCTV installation, repair, maintenance and security-system support in Nairobi and other parts of Kenya. A site assessment can help determine the appropriate camera types, locations, network infrastructure, recording requirements and installation approach for the property.
Boardtac Solutions. CCTV installation, security systems and ICT solutions in Kenya.
