Choosing the Right Construction Camera for Your Jobsite

In recent years, construction cameras have become a cornerstone of modern construction sites. The last decade has witnessed a remarkable evolution in camera technology, making them not only more durable and energy-efficient, but also packed with advanced features such as real-time monitoring, time-lapse capabilities, and motion alerts. Project managers know that implementing the right cameras on your site can greatly improve site safety, reduce risks like theft, and enhance project documentation, unlocking opportunities for marketing and communication.

However, selecting the ideal camera for your construction site can be overwhelming. The market offers a variety of choices, with multiple vendors, camera styles, and features, often leading to decision fatigue among project managers who have to invest considerable time in finding the perfect fit.

At TrueLook, our goal is to make choosing the right camera easy, so we’ve broken down everything you need to know and consider when it comes to researching and buying construction cameras.

1. What are your jobsite requirements?

First, it’s important to define the requirements of the jobsite at hand. Start by considering the following questions:

All of these factors will influence your decision on what camera system is the best fit for your project. Many cameras specialize in only certain features, such as time-lapsing, so knowing which features you want to prioritize is essential for picking the right camera. You can also look for cameras that include all of these features for a flat service fee.

2. What type of camera do you need?

Fixed-Position Cameras vs. PTZ Cameras

Fixed-position cameras are great for focusing on specific areas of your jobsite such as entry points or storage locations. Although PTZ cameras are typically more expensive than fixed-position cameras, project managers can often use fewer total PTZ cameras to monitor their site since they are dynamic and can provide footage from multiple angles.

If you choose a PTZ, just make sure the vendor is giving you one with true optical zoom. Discount vendors are increasingly offering knockoff PTZs which look similar, but don’t have the robotic parts necessary to achieve optical zooming.

How Do You Pick Between Fixed-Position and PTZ Cameras? 

One major thing to consider is the size of your jobsite. Smaller jobsites can often be covered with one fixed-position camera, while larger jobsites may need one PTZ camera, multiple fixed-position cameras, or even a combination of the two. In fact, using both PTZ cameras and fixed-position cameras is a common practice on many jobsites.

Exterior vs. Interior Cameras

One last thing to consider is exterior versus interior cameras. While these cameras will often offer most of the same features, a key difference is that they’re built for different conditions. Camera ratings help identify a camera’s resilience to certain environmental conditions, and since they’re protected from the elements, interior cameras don’t need as high of ratings as their exterior counterparts. 

These lower rating requirements allow many interior cameras to be lower cost and lighter weight. That makes it easier to purchase as many as you’d need for large interior spaces and means they’re easy to relocate as needed in the case of multi-phase projects. Many interior cameras also offer wider-angle views, allowing you to capture an entire room with one camera.

3. Do you have certain concerns or requirements that need to be addressed?

Once you have narrowed down the type of camera and features that you are looking for, the next factor to consider is constraints and requirements. Consider the following questions.

Every insurance provide has different Builder’s Risk requirements so make sure to check with your provider before selecting a camera solution. You can also look at investing in a professional jobsite monitoring service for extra peace of mind. This service will watch your jobsite during set hours (typically at night), investigate motion alerts, and alert you in the case of an incident. 

4. Choosing a Construction Camera Vendor

The last factor to consider when choosing a construction camera is the vendor. It’s important to work with a construction camera vendor who can support your needs both short-term and long-term. 

When evaluating vendors, don’t hesitate to reach out to ask questions. Cameras are a substantial investment, so find a vendor who openly and transparently provides answers to all of your questions — from cost structure and warranty stipulations to customer support and post-project data access options. Write your questions down ahead of time so you can put the vendor to the test.

Here’s a list of things you might want to inquire about:

• Equipment
  • What features are available?
  • What installation and mounting options are available?
• Software
  • Will I need to install software?
  • Is your software mobile-friendly?
• Support
  • What is your warranty?
  • Do you provide 24/7 customer support?
• Cost
  • Will I be leasing or purchasing the camera?
  • Are there add-on features that I will need to pay for?
  • Are there hidden fees that I should be aware of, such as data caps? 
• Post Project
  • How long will I retain access to my data after a project is completed?
  • What do I need to do to get a camera up and running on my
  • next project? 

TrueLook is proud to offer 24/7 support, Free-Forever Media Storage, and a variety of add-on services to make managing projects easier. Want to learn more? Reach out to our team today for further discussion and assistance.