Job Site Web Camera

MikeTheBuilder

You all have been helpful to me so, I thought I would pass along something that has made my life much easier. I am a custom home builder. Three or four homes per year. We install a web camera on each home building site. I can view each job right from the office 24/7. The cameras even have night vision. I can't tell you how much easier it has made my life. The camera loads an image on my hard drive every 15 minutes so when I return from the field I can check deliveries and progress on the jobs that I have not visited. Meeting the plumber on the job in the morning? No problem! Just wait until you see his truck and then leave for the job. Roofer not on the job as promised? Just look at the camera from the office and make the call. I can't tell you how much I enjoy the silence on the other end of the phone when I tell them that my web camera tells me that the roofer is still not on the job, after they tell me he is. I still visit the jobs every day, but much more efficiently. At the end of the week, I forward one picture from each day to our Clients along with a weekly status report. They store the images in a picture portfolio. This way the can enjoy a time lapse view of the building progress. This system helps me get a number of new jobs. Out of the area Clients just love it. Cost of camera $2,500 on first job. House completed, camera guys picks it up and installs it on the next job. Cost to install on the 2 ND job, $400. Camera is hooked up to DSL for on line monitering $50 per month. Theft was never a problem before, but is non existent now. The camera has a 360 degrees vertical and horizontal view capability. The images are in color and the detail is awesome. You can zoom through the front door and count the blades of grass in the back yard through the rear windows. We even give the Client the web site address to the camera. They can watch the home being built from any place in the world 24/7. It's awesome!

Cole

Can we see one of the pictures that it takes?

Who built the system?

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GregS

I've installed these on a few job sites. Mostly as a security measure so they can watch who walks off with stuff.

As long as you have an internet connection you are good.

MikeTheBuilder

Hi Cole:

I'm still new to the site, but I will attempt to upload pictures for you to see. The company that puts these together for me is GWB Electric out of Central Florida. The phone number is 407-489-5938. This is a small Company, but I'm sure that he can send you one. I can't tell you how pleased I am with the set up. It's like before we had cell phones and computers. Not sure that you needed one until you had on. Now you can't imagine living without one. I feel like I'm running my Company blind when I don't have a camera on a job.

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MikeTheBuilder

The camera uses the available light for night shots. It's made by Panasonic, but Sony makes them too.

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dougchips

Cool stuff!

You might want to edit out the guy working on the plank in photo #2.

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Susan Betz

Workman's comp will subpoena the pics after the claim.

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ABLE1

Mike,

Would you happen to have the model number of the unit??

Thanks,

Les

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ABLE1

MattCoops

I need one of those.
How long does the battery last?
Can you pan it left or right remotely?

ah, never mind, I'm going to Best Buy

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MikeTheBuilder

I don't know the model number for the camera, but you can call the supplier, listed above.

The camera can be directed right from your office, 360 degrees vertical and horizontally. It's really the coolest thing! I forgot to mention that it is hooked up to the temporary electric pole on the job. I set the camera at the same time as I set the T pole. The DSL is run in advance.

It's also a great way to check the site drainage too. The camera records the rain storm and you can tell by reviewing the pictures how long it took for the ground to absorb the rain (perk).

One other feature that I enjoy, is thinking if I ever have to go to court with a Client, the look on the Judges face when we show the time lapse photography documenting everything that happened on a day to day basis. Hard for a Client to say that my Builder did not keep the job moving when you have the pictures and the weekly status reports to prove it. I only save the pictures that show a lot of action on the job site.

bobcaygeonjon

Nice one. I've been thinking about web cams for a while now I know its a must.

GregS

Call any CCTV security camera company in your area and they will be able to install something for you. Security cameras are very common now. PTZ cameras cost a bunch more, but still much less than they did a few years ago.

MikeTheBuilder

Soon, Subcontrators will send their guys to a job site and a web camera will be mounted on the roof of the truck. The office will be able to see what's happening as the job progresses. The pictures will be beamed by satellite. Imagine how much that would help a paver company.

Next time your out driving, look for the cameras. They are all over the place. Major intersections, interstate highways, super market parking lots. They look like mini street lamps with a black globe on the bottom.

POOLMANinCT

how do your sub teams react, when you tell them they are now "movie-stars?"

ray

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MikeTheBuilder

Hi Ray:

That's an interesting comment. Frankly, I was initially concerned about that. I have a great relationship with my team and I did not want to do something that would undermine that. I actually offer the web site address to my team so that they can use the web camera to schedule and coordinate their work too. The workers really don't mind. In fact they think it's really cool. They give the web address to their family so they can show off their work.

The most embarrasing result of having the camera was it's impact on me, the Builder. As a Builder, you cannot be on every job, at every moment that work is happening. You show up on the job, resolve issues, check the quality and then move on to the next job. You are only seeing a slice of time. With a camera, you can review the images in 15 minute segments if you are unable to see it live from the office or in person. You really know a great deal more about what's happening. Now I know how hard my team is really working and it's way more then I thought it was. Frankly, I'm embarrased by that! Now I know that my tile guy was working until 9:00PM with the lights on. On thanksgiving, the roofers were trying to get a jump on the work and laying roof tile. My team is awesome! Now I can better appreciate how dedicated they are! I walk around now giving each team $10 gift certificates to the local supermarket, in appreciation of their efforts. Believe me, buying the guys lunch goes along way in an industry that hardly says thank you!

POOLMANinCT

that's great mike. make it a positive right out of the gate. well done!
"perception is reality."
ray

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......Less with the jaw & More with the paw.....