So, you want to DIY a security system because you don’t want to pay hundreds if not thousands of pounds of installs, but you haven’t picked out the right system yet. Well congratulation you’re in the right place, because this article explains exactly where to start. Whether you are looking to deter opportunistic intruders on a quiet street or simply want to keep an eye on your delivery parcels while you are away from home, the ideal setup looks different for everyone.
That is because the perfect system for you is entirely based around your personal goals. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but taking a DIY approach to security allows you to customise everything to your exact specifications.
When designing your ideal home defences, the decision-making process generally stems from two distinct starting points (Which you can skip ahead to if you chose):
Performance: determining your goals, and curating a system that perfectly achieves them with no exception.
Budget: Setting your maximum spend you’re comfortable with and building your ideal system withing that price range.
In this guide, we will break down both of these core methods. By exploring real-life scenarios and practical walkthroughs, we will visually explain how to map out your property's vulnerabilities, ensuring you can confidently choose the exact devices that match both your lifestyle and your wallet.
The Performance Spec Method
If your primary objective is absolute security, zero blind spots, and undeniable forensic evidence, a performance-led strategy is your best route. This DIY setup ensures every piece of equipment is selected for its technical capabilities rather than price constraints alone.
1. Performing a site survey
Begin by walking the perimeter of your property to identify where you want your cameras to go and what features you might want them to have (white lights, sirens, red and blue strobes). Count exactly how many entry points, driveways, and blind spots require coverage. Then, measure the distance from the intended mounting position to where you need to be able to identify or recognise someone. A driveway gate 15 metres away demands vastly different security specifications than a back door just 3 metres away.
Our Example: James start his DIY plan by walking around his 2 bed house, he decides he wants external cameras covering the garage, front door, back door and alleyway. He wants at least two way audio out the front and strobe lights to protect the car on his driveway which is 7M long. His back door doesn’t need two way audio or vehicle classification but he wants to recognise a target from as far as possible.
Requirements:
Front door: 7M Identification & two way audio
Garage entrance (driveway): 7M Identification, two way audio & Strobe lights
Back Door: human identification & as far a recognition number as possible
2. Meet your security requirements using the DORI standard
This is the easiest part; we would hardly even call it DIY. Once you know your distances, check the product listings for DORI specifications: Detection, Observation, Recognition, and Identification. This international industry standard defines exactly what a lens can achieve at given distances (which you can read our article on here). Whereas other sites will have you diving through spec sheets or online calculators trying to find these DORI numbers, all our camera product pages have them openly available.
Our Example: James heads over to CCTV Outlet to find cameras that meet his requirements, he easily spots the DORI numbers on their product page and saves himself plenty of time. After some short research (it doesn’t need to be DIY, we can help); he finds that the 6MP & 8MP Active Deterrence PRO security cameras have the strobe lights and 2 way audio he wants out the front of his home. For his back garden the 8MP economy camera is enough to provide long distance recognition without paying extra for features that he doesn’t need.
3. Finding a sufficient recorder & HDD
Your premium cameras require a matching Network Video Recorder (NVR) with sufficient processing power and enough channels for your cameras and maybe even a few extra. Next, it’s time to calculate the hard drive size. Continuous ultra-HD recording consumes storage space rapidly; 30 days of stored footage is the usual retention time for things like insurance premium and has become standard in the security industry. DIY’ing this calculation is impossible so contact us and we can help you find the right one.
Our example: James looks at the features on his cameras; the Active deterrence PRO cameras have a feature called AcuPick. In order to use this feature James needs an SPRO A8 NVR, so the lower models are out of the question. To calculate his hard drive size he calls up CCTV Outlet on 02039 071578 and asks for a calculation. He has 3 x 8MP cameras. After doing the calculation, CCTV Outlet quote him a 4TB HDD for him to get his full 30 days recording.
4. Keep your security system protected with Bases/ Wall brackets
Even a DIY hobbyist knows an exposed cable is an easy target for tampering. For all externally installed cameras, always add weatherproof bases or wall brackets. These vital accessories serve a dual purpose: they cleanly house and conceal the connection cables from wet weather or intruders, while giving the camera the ideal physical tilt for a superior viewing angle.
Our example: James knows he 3 external cameras, so he adds 3 additional wall brackets to his basket so he can mount his cameras horizontally and keep the cables away from anyone brave enough to approach his home.
By choosing this feature first, performance-oriented configuration, your security system becomes tailored to your exact property with only the features you really need. Taking control and turning this into a DIY process ensures you bypass the compromises of standard off-the-shelf retail bundles, while still meeting the industry gold standard.
The Working to a Budget Method
Not everyone can afford to just throw money at a system until they have exactly what they need, we get it. So if you want the best protection you can get for a budget that works for you, then you have come to the right place. This approach shines by letting you prioritise your most important devices to build a highly reliable security setup that fits your exact financial limits.
To get the absolute most out of every pound spent, you need to follow a tactical, step-by-step DIY plan that balances cost against performance.
1. Setting your budget
Before browsing any product lines, set a hard, realistic budget. Be reasonable, don’t set a £200 budget for an 8 camera system when your recorder will cost £150.
Our example: James ideally would like to spend less than £400, but knows there can be some difficulties fitting in a whole system for that much, so could stretch to £500 if it meant getting all the security cameras and features he wants.
2. Performing a site survey
Much like the performance based method you need to go around your home to create your own DIY site survey. Begin by walking the perimeter of your property to identify where you want your cameras to go and what features you might want them to have. Count exactly how many entry points, driveways, and blind spots require coverage. Then, measure the distance from the intended mounting position to where you need to be able to identify or recognise someone.
Our example: James lives in a shared property, so he immediately needs cameras for shared spaces in the house internally as well more advanced security cameras protecting the property externally. He walks around the property and identifies the cameras he needs.
Requirements:
Camera on the front drive: 5M of identification range, two way audio, motion activated while light, high priority camera, 8MP
Camera for the alley way/ backdoor: motion detection, siren, white light, high priority camera, 8MP
Internal cameras: DIY free Installation, internal grade camera, lower priority, 5MP
Kitchen, lounge, hallway by front door
3. Prioritise Your Features
Be brutally honest about features. Do you truly require ultra-high-definition AI facial recognition for a side alley, or do you just want it? Prioritise high-value baseline traits - like dependable infrared night vision and crisp 4K resolution - over expensive extras.
Our example: James knows that a functional security system with cameras in all the places he needs is better than one of two cameras with all the bells and whistles, he is prepared to sacrifice additional premium features for full coverage and protection.
4. Cross-Reference with DORI Numbers
Take your recorded distances and check our product pages for the DORI metrics. Match your DIY target zones to a camera model that delivers the required level of visual clarity at that range. This is where you put your system together and choose the make and model. For now, this follows the same techniques as the performance method.
Our example: James needs cost effective internal grade security cameras that can be easily placed and moved if need be. This requirement means he needs a Reolink system; he starts by choosing the E1 zoom internal cameras. These internal hardwired WIFI cameras are perfect for the shared areas for his house. To save money on cabling, James decides to stick the theme and choose the E1 Outdoor Pro WIFI Cameras for his 2 external cameras. This gives him all the features he needs plus more and allows for a DIY setup without having to run cables.
5. Choose a recorder with appropriate hard drive
Pick a recorder with just enough channels for your current cameras to save on hardware costs. For storage, choose a hard drive capacity calculated specifically to maintain security tapes for the typical length of time you go away for, such as a standard week long holiday.
Our example: James is using WIFI cameras, so he needs a recorder fit for purpose, Reolink recorders come with the ability to do so. The most cost-effective option is the RLN8-410 POE & WIFI NVR. This way James can put his DIY WIFI cameras on there and still have HDD capacity. This recorder comes with a pre-built 2TB HDD so James doesn’t need to calculate the size he needs and can just use this one.
6. Price Audit and Assess Non-Essential Specs
Add up the total cost of your selected items. If the sum exceeds your baseline limit, look closely at your lower priority security camera —like one not monitoring a boundary—and downgrade their individual specifications to a more affordable model. Repeat this step as many times as necessary until your system is within budget.
Our example: Here are the costs of James’ DIY system;
2 x E1 Outdoor Pro = £223.98
3 x E1 Zoom = £239.97
RLN-410 Recorder = £259.99
This tally’s up to a total of £723.94, way over budget for what James is willing to pay. So, James changes the specs of his cameras, he looks at what is nice but not necessary and finds a more budget friendly option without those features. He replaces the E1 Outdoor Pro with a non PTZ Lumus PRO and saves £74! He also switches the E1 zoom for the standard E1 and saves £150! Just by switching his security cameras to perfectly capable but more realistic cameras James reduces his total cost to 499.94, Just within Budget!
The Next Steps?
By breaking down your property's physical layout and understanding how to Find the best cameras for every location around your property, you now have the exact blueprint needed to piece together a correctly configured, budget-friendly system. Taking a DIY approach to your CCTV means you are no longer at the mercy of rigid, off-the-shelf retail bundles that either leave blind spots or paying an installer hundreds of extra pounds to do it themselves.
If you haven’t already, check out the products provided in our examples as they provide accurate DORI numbers and pricing (at the time of posting) which you can use to get a sense of what you can expect from a security system or budget of your own. If you're ready to plan your system out, go and complete your site survey and shop our range of cameras and recorders here. If you want to know what the next steps would be after buying a system for yourself, check out our very own CCTV installation guide.
