A Side by Side Comparison of Construction Camera Costs and Benefits

The true cost of owning a construction camera goes beyond a price tag. Along with the camera and equipment, it’s essential to consider not only features, support and pricing — but how much of your time and energy you’re willing to “pay” to install or troubleshoot cameras on your own. 

In order to guarantee a return on your investment, start by considering how much a lack of visibility from a camera costs you.

• How many days does your team spend on the road, traveling to jobsites?
• How many teams and corporate partners need to stay connected to the site from anywhere?
• How much easier would it be to review progress in seconds, rather than in more meetings?

A construction camera costs only as much as it doesn’t solve for. Among industry-leaders, the cameras provide answers for a variety of issues. Take KDC as an example, the Texas-based developers have used construction cameras for 15 years, stating the value is “worth its weight in gold” and “doesn’t make an impact on costs.” For Peachtree Hotel Group, the 24/7 visibility ensured several thousands of dollars were saved when a break-in was captured on camera. General contractors at Juneau state that the cameras help keep clients informed and reassured projects are on time while helping the team monitor progress with ease.

This type of value from jobsite cameras varies just as much as the pricing options from different service providers. On a practical level, hardware can range from $200 - $20,000 and the differences are more than just the quality of the camera itself. 

DIY options, like using an off-the-shelf smart camera, claim quick and easy setup and instant visibility, but there’s a reason for the bargain deal. Often these low-cost solutions require extensive manual labor to ensure set up, removal, refurbishment and replacement as the job continues. While one camera may be at a lower cost, each feature is typically an extra charge. 

Many service companies may claim straightforward pricing — but may be hiding monthly fees for software, installation or other services. These budget-friendly options traditionally mean a one-size-fits-all approach and locked-in contracts that leave you in the dark with little to no flexibility.

It’s important to remember that what may seem like a leading-solution for others may not be the best for construction projects. CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras are widely used for general security to deter theft and are designed for general surveillance. However, they often lack extensive security features, rely on hard-wired power-sources and localized review of the footage. CCTV providers who offer a digital cloud service typically don’t monitor their data servers, making them vulnerable to hacking. However, with the right construction camera, many of the benefits of CCTV, like motion detection, may already be included.

What’s needed for a skyscraper rarely will align with what’s needed for an interior renovation. Leading service providers will take into account the size of the jobsite, the scope of the project, length of the build and what views you’re trying to capture. A quality service provider knows that flexibility must be built-in, as things constantly change on site. With OxBlue, there’s a stark difference.

Camera providers can be critical partners for jobsite documentation. With busy teams, it’s not always possible to take the time and coordinate installation, setup and long-term camera management. This means customer support is crucial to ensuring you’re getting what you need from your camera. Many providers off-set customer service through third-parties abroad or “smart” chat apps that can only guess what you need help with. OxBlue takes a different approach and acts as your partner throughout the process. Our team are in-house experts and handle everything from shipping, installation, relocations, power, user setup and so much more. 

Ultimately, the way to guarantee good service is to look at all features and benefits to ensure you get what works for your project.