When Your Camera Installer Disappears: Taking Over and Upgrading an Orphaned System

Dome security camera and floodlight on the brick wall of a home

A GTA homeowner’s original camera installer disappeared three years after the job, leaving no one to call for service. Owl Vision Solutions took over and upgraded the home to a full AiColor system with a smart doorbell and active-deterrence cameras, and stays on for ongoing support.

A problem we see all too often

The system was put in by another company, and three years later that company was gone: no answer on the phone, no one to fix a camera or reset a password. It’s a frustrating spot to be in, and more common than people think. Security equipment needs occasional service, and an installer who isn’t around in year three leaves you with a system nobody will touch.

Dome security camera and floodlight on the brick wall of a home
New dome camera covering the back of the house.

What we installed

  • A full AiColor camera system with an 8-channel 4K PoE recorder
  • A smart video doorbell
  • Active deterrence cameras that can react with light and sound when they detect a person, for round-the-clock surveillance
Dome camera mounted under a white soffit
Soffit-mounted dome camera.

Taking over someone else’s system

When we inherit a system, the first job is finding out what’s there and what can stay: which cables are reusable, what the recorder is, and whether the existing cameras are worth keeping. Reusing good cable keeps the cost of an upgrade down.

Network cables coiled at floor level during a camera system upgrade
Sorting out the existing cabling.

Questions to ask any installer

  • Who do I call in two or three years if something stops working?
  • Will I get the admin passwords for my own system?
  • Is the equipment standard, or locked to your company?

We believe in looking after customers long after the install. If your installer has gone quiet, call (647) 588-9688 and we’ll take a look.

Frequently asked questions

Can a new installer take over a system someone else put in?

Usually, yes. We identify the recorder, cameras and cabling, sort out admin access, and work out what is worth keeping before recommending any new equipment.

Is it cheaper to upgrade than to start over?

Often. Running cable is a big part of an installation, so if the existing cabling is in good shape, reusing it can make an upgrade cost less than a new system.

Owl Vision Solutions is a low-voltage and security installer based in Markham, Ontario, serving homes and businesses across the GTA. Book a site visit or call (647) 588-9688.

Related: security camera installation · upgrading old camera systems

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