Fixed CCTV vs Mobile Security Trailer — Total Cost of Ownership
A fixed CCTV install on a Houston jobsite typically runs $18k–$60k in hardware, trenching, and integration — plus 60–90 days of lead time — and gets ripped out at project close. A monitored mobile trailer deploys in 24 hours, costs $2,800–$4,500/month, and moves to the next project. TCO favors the trailer by 3–5x on any project under 18 months.
The hardware and install stack for fixed CCTV
A permanent CCTV install spec for a mid-size Houston jobsite typically includes: 8–16 IP cameras, PoE switch, NVR with 30-day retention, cellular backhaul, power drops with trenching, and integration with a monitoring center.
Turnkey install by a licensed integrator: $18,000–$60,000 depending on coverage. Lead time from PO to armed: 60–90 days including permits.
- Camera hardware + PoE + NVR: $8k–$25k
- Trenching + power drops: $5k–$18k
- Cellular backhaul + integration: $3k–$8k
- Permits + labor + margin: $2k–$9k
- Total install: $18k–$60k
- Lead time: 60–90 days
What happens at project close
Permanent installs are 70–90% written off at project close because pulling and reinstalling hardware costs more than a new deployment. That is a real capital loss, not a soft cost.
Mobile trailers move to the next project with zero write-off — the same asset generates revenue for 7–10 years across many projects.
The TCO math on an 18-month project
Fixed CCTV: $40,000 install + $600/month monitoring × 18 = $50,800, with $30,000+ written off at close.
Mobile trailer: $3,600/month × 18 = $64,800, with $0 written off and zero lead time.
On a longer or shorter project the numbers shift, but the trailer wins on any project under ~30 months on a straight-line basis, and always wins on flexibility.
When fixed CCTV actually wins
Owner-occupied permanent facilities. Long-term (5+ year) storage yards. Regulated environments (data centers, ports) that require documented permanent infrastructure.
For temporary jobsites and rotating vacant properties, the trailer wins on both cost and speed.
- Owner-occupied permanent facility → fixed CCTV
- 5+ year static yard → fixed CCTV
- Regulated permanent infra → fixed CCTV
- Any temporary or rotating site → mobile trailer
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