Security Cameras - Am I the Asshole Retiree

[Snoopy59]

In 2024, I wanted to have some home security cameras installed on my 2 story home for three reasons. First, it will give me something to tinker with. Second, the cameras have AI tracking of cars, faces, people, pets, and license plates. I will be able call out neighbors who think my lawn should be their dog's urinal. Why? I grow my lawn through a germination process called overseeding. I essentially select the best cultivar of grass seeds to use based on a national study that grades the grass on characteristics like color, germination rate, drought and disease resiliency. I don't use sod. Third, I was going to invest in a robotic mower and the cameras would serve as a second layer of security.

I received a few estimates for running the CAT6 and installing the cameras from business owners. One guy who gave me an estimate had a  terrible camera and installation plan. A second guy was going to use cheap materials. 

The third estimate I received had a solid installation plan. However, the sales representative had some minor issues. He gave me an estimate for 17 hours of labor. I raised the bullshit flag so he revised it to 11. He tried to tell me that I will need to be trained on my cameras, which drove the 17 hour estimate. I told him, "How are you going to train me on cameras I hand selected myself and purchased?  Cameras for which you don't even sell? You can literally watch a 5-10 minute video on how to set the cameras up via YouTube." I won that debate. I remember him telling me I'll need a cloud key and they could run an HDMI cable for my system to one of my big screen tvs. I told him that my UNVR acts as a cloud key. You can bring up the live feeds for all your cameras through Ubiquiti's app for smart tvs and cell phones. I am for certain I crushed his soul at that point. At some point, he mentions being a "retired Army colonel." I raised the bullshit flag again.

I selected the third estimate. They had great installers who installed everything in 11 hours. I haven't had any issues in over a year with their work. There was two minor issues like not leveling the doorbell camera and not wiping silicone off the base of two cameras. 

Ubiquiti came out with a new camera in September 2025 that I wanted. I attempted to receive an estimate from the same small business to install my 6th camera. Apparently, my sales representative was fired. They told me he was wanted by the FBI and he was no retired Army colonel. "I was shocked, I tell you 🙄. The small business gave me a different "installer/sales representative" named Mike.

Mike tried telling me it will take 5-7 hours to install one camera for $1.3K-$1.6K. I called him out on his estimate. Mike's first excuse was that he has been installing cameras for 20 years and he is a veteran too. Then he tried to use some lame excuses to pad his estimate by telling me the technicians have to go up and down a ladder and load cable before visiting my home.

I torched Mike's ass. First, I told him that I have my own cable just like last time. I sent this to him in my highly detailed contract requirements before he issued his estimate. Second, I informed him that my solar company installed a fully functional, 23 panel solar system on my 2 story roof in 6 hours with 3 technicians. His 2 camera technicians are only going up to the first level eaves, which is half the distance that the solar technicians had to travel up a ladder. Third, it took 11 hours to install everything last time for a grand total of $1.6K. Around 10 hours was spent on running CAT6 and installing 5 cameras, which equates to 2 hours per camera. I told Mike that he must be doing California high school math because it's not accurate. Mike tried to tell me that he likes to give higher estimates so customers feel like they're receiving a deal when they have to pay less.

Needless to say, I hired a different small business. The owner told me it will take 2-3 hours maximum. 

Am I the retired flying asshole here? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 19 minutes ago by Snoopy59

[FlyingWolf]

Probably.

It's true that it is difficult to find good help....  but that story took long enough to put together... Why not do the work yourself?

[Snoopy59]

1 hour ago, FlyingWolf said:

Probably.

It's true that it is difficult to find good help....  but that story took long enough to put together... Why not do the work yourself?

I live in an area with a lot of retirees. At least 3 of my neighbors on all sides of me are retired. I'm the youngest at age 43. Anyway, we live by a golf course where a lot of elderly chose to retire. You're right, there are a lot of dishonest people out there. The elderly get taken advantage of by lots of business owners from what I garner on the Nextdoor app. It's kind of pathetic and sickening. 

Why I don't install the CAT6 and camera myself?

#1. My home's exterior is stucco. Having someone with experience doing the drilling matters in my opinion. I can drill into wood easily, but I'm not willing to practice on my stucco. I doubt I have the drill bits too.

#2. I don't do ladder work unless it involves a step ladder. I leave ladder work to the professionals, especially at heights of 11-16 ft. 

On a separate note, these camera installers will try to put cameras well above 15 ft. It's intentional so you'll have to call the camera technicians for any repairs. That installation height would interfere with any AI features. The sweet spot is 10-11 ft.

During my retirement, I have learned about lawn care, plants, electrical, and construction. I had an electrician swap out 3 Arc-Fault Circuit (AFCI) breakers. He looked over my bedroom paddle switch installation. He says, "I thought an electrician installed this based on how you turned your face plate screws. You didn't do anything wrong, the one breaker that's tripping is just old. It's smart that you purchased 3 new AFCIs from Lowe's in order for me to swap out the 3 old breakers." I told him that YouTube taught me how to install light switches. YouTube taught me how to turn the screws like an electrician. I have installed a motion sensing light switch in my bathroom as well. I have gotten really fast at electrical installations.

Edited 29 minutes ago by Snoopy59

[brickhistory]

Quote

I will be able call out neighbors who think my lawn should be their dog's urinal.

Making assumptions to get to my question - subdivision-like environment/sidewalk/public road and easement beside property, etc.  and dogs are being walked on a leash/controlled.  If these aren't valid, then please illuminate.

What, exactly, will you say to neighbors who own urinating dogs?  How are the neighbors, again assuming dog is being walked and not running loose, to prevent said dog from peeing on your superty-duperty bionic grass?  If it's just dogs running loose throughout neighborhood and targeting your prize Mexican sensamilla, then I get it.  Otherwise, WTF?