What happens on a free security walkthrough, step by step

Step 1: the ten minute call

The first step is a phone call of about ten minutes. We ask what prompted it, what kind of property it is, which town it is in, and whether there is something happening now or you are planning ahead. Call (805) 800-8163 or email jacob@keithsystems.com.

We do not quote a number on this call, because a fair number depends on what is actually on the ground. Cable runs, mounting surfaces, the distance to a gate, and how the internet reaches the building all change the work. If you want a general sense of what moves the total, the guide on what drives security camera cost in Santa Barbara County explains it without pretending to know your site.

If your concern is the network rather than cameras or doors, the review can start remotely, from anywhere. A visit is still useful when devices, cabling, or wireless coverage need to be seen in person.

Step 2: the walkthrough on site

The walkthrough is free and happens at your property. We walk the grounds and the building with you, map what the current setup covers, mark the entry points, and note the gaps. We take photos as we go so the plan can refer to real spots rather than guesses.

For cameras, we look at where people actually approach, how far away they will be when they reach a spot worth recording, and where light comes from at night. Backlit doorways, fog, wind-shaken mounts, and long gate drives all affect whether a camera will identify someone or only show that someone was there. The page on security camera installation covers the identification standard we design to.

For doors and gates, we check how each one closes, what it opens onto, and what needs to happen if the power or the internet fails. The page on door access control explains how that works. We also look at where the internet enters the property and where the router and any switches sit, since that decides how devices get separated from your computers.

Step 3: the written plan and the fixed number

After the visit, you receive a written coverage plan. It shows where each camera goes and what it is meant to see, such as a face, a plate, or a wide view. It also lists the doors and gates involved, how the recorder is sized for retention, and how the network will be separated so cameras and devices sit apart from your computers.

Any optional recurring costs, such as professional alarm monitoring or cellular service at a remote site, are listed separately so nothing is buried. The plan comes with a fixed price quoted before any work begins.

The plan is yours to keep. If you decide to hire someone else, or do the work yourself, you still have a written map of your property's gaps.

Step 4: install, app walkthrough, and support

If you go ahead, the install is done by one person, Jacob, with no subcontractors on your property. Cables are run and dressed cleanly, cameras are aimed and checked against the plan, and segmentation is part of every install, not an add-on.

When the work is finished, we walk you through the app on your own phone, including how to view footage and how to export a clip. You also get a local phone number to call if something does not behave the way you expect.

How to prepare

You do not need to prepare much, but a few things make the visit more useful. Think about past incidents: what happened, roughly when, and where on the property. Gather any existing equipment information, even if it is only what is mounted and where the recorder sits. Know where your internet service comes into the building.

List the gates, outbuildings, barns, and detached garages you care about, because those often need wireless links or solar and cellular power. If doors are part of the job, write down who needs access, such as family, staff, cleaners, or contractors, and when. If you rent, or you live under an HOA, find out whether the landlord or the association must approve mounting locations, and bring that person into the conversation early.

Someone who knows the property should be present. That person can answer questions about how the place is used and point out the spots that worry them. For larger parcels, a map or satellite printout is handy but not required.

You can stop after any step

Each step stands on its own. You can stop after the call, after the walkthrough, or after reading the plan, and nothing further is owed. There is no pressure to decide during the visit.

We serve Santa Barbara County and southern San Luis Obispo County. See the service area page if you are not sure your town is covered, or review the network security service if your first concern is how your devices are connected.