One of the most common questions we get asked is: "How many cameras do I actually need?" The honest answer is that it depends on your site - but there are well-established principles that guide every survey we do.
Start with entry points, not camera counts
Every effective CCTV system starts with a survey of your entry and exit points. For a typical three-bedroom semi-detached house, that usually means:
- Front door (including driveway and gate if present)
- Rear door or patio
- Garage or side access
That's typically 2–4 cameras for a domestic property. A larger detached house with outbuildings or a long driveway might need 4–6. An average small business unit - a shop, office or workshop - typically needs 4–8.
Coverage zones vs entry points
Entry points are the minimum. You may also want coverage of:
- Car parks and vehicle storage - vehicle crime is a major driver of CCTV installations across Wales
- Internal high-value areas - safes, server rooms, stockrooms
- Common areas - reception, corridors, loading bays
Each additional zone adds cameras. A retail unit might add internal aisle coverage, a warehouse might add loading dock cameras, a pub might add both internal and external coverage.
Resolution changes how many you need
Higher-resolution cameras can cover wider areas without losing detail. A 4K turret camera positioned correctly can cover an entire car park where two lower-resolution cameras might have been needed previously. When we're doing a survey, we always balance camera count against resolution to get the most out of your budget.
Practical rules of thumb
- Domestic property: 2–4 cameras
- Small business (shop, office, workshop): 4–8 cameras
- Medium commercial site: 8–16 cameras
- Large site (industrial, multi-building): 16+ cameras, often with a dedicated NVR and managed switching
Our advice: Don't try to cut costs by using fewer cameras and pointing them at wider areas. A blurry image of a wide scene is far less useful evidentially than a sharp image of a key entry point. Budget for fewer, higher-quality cameras covering the right spots.
What about Welsh planning permission?
In most cases, domestic CCTV in Wales doesn't require planning permission. There are exceptions - listed buildings, conservation areas and properties within national parks. See our separate guide on CCTV planning permission in Wales for full details.
Get a free site survey
The most reliable way to get the right number of cameras is a professional site survey. We'll walk your property, identify risk areas and give you a system design with clear recommendations - completely free, with no obligation. Book yours here.