Video doorbells like Ring, Nest, Arlo, and Eufy have become incredibly popular — and for good reason. See who's at your door from anywhere, get alerts when packages arrive, and have a record of everything that happens at your front door.

But should you install one yourself? Let's look at the options.

Two Types of Video Doorbells

Battery-Powered Doorbells

These are designed for DIY installation:

  • No wiring required
  • Mount with screws or adhesive
  • Rechargeable battery (lasts 1–6 months depending on activity)
  • Can be installed in about 15 minutes

The catch: You'll need to remember to charge it, and battery life drops significantly in cold weather or with lots of motion events.

Wired Doorbells

These connect to your existing doorbell wiring:

  • Continuous power (no charging)
  • More reliable in extreme temperatures
  • Can power your existing doorbell chime
  • Requires compatible low-voltage wiring (16–24V AC)

The catch: Installation is more involved, and not all homes have compatible wiring.

The DIY Reality Check

Battery-Powered Installation

This is genuinely DIY-friendly for most people:

  1. Download the app and create an account
  2. Charge the doorbell
  3. Mount the bracket (drill two holes or use adhesive)
  4. Attach the doorbell to the bracket
  5. Connect to WiFi through the app
  6. Adjust motion zones

Where it can go wrong:

  • WiFi signal doesn't reach the front door well
  • Mounting surface is brick or stone (harder to drill)
  • Angle doesn't capture what you want
  • You forget to charge it and miss important events

Wired Installation

This is where things get more complicated:

  1. Turn off power to the doorbell circuit
  2. Remove your existing doorbell
  3. Check voltage compatibility (most need 16–24V AC)
  4. Connect wires to the new doorbell
  5. Mount the doorbell
  6. Configure the app
  7. Possibly install a compatibility module for your chime

Where it can go wrong:

Voltage issues. Older homes might have incompatible transformers. Some doorbells won't work — or won't work reliably — without the right voltage.

No existing doorbell. If your home doesn't have doorbell wiring, someone needs to run new wire. This isn't a simple DIY job.

Wiring condition. Old, corroded, or damaged wiring can cause intermittent problems that are frustrating to diagnose.

Chime compatibility. Not all doorbell chimes work with smart doorbells. You might need a bypass module or a separate plug-in chime.

What a Professional Installation Includes

When we install a doorbell camera, here's what you get:

Proper Placement

We'll position the camera at the optimal height and angle to capture faces (not just the tops of heads) and cover your porch area effectively.

WiFi Assessment

Before we start, we check that your WiFi signal is strong enough at the door. If it's weak, we can discuss solutions like a WiFi extender or mesh system.

Clean Mounting

Especially on brick, stone, or stucco — we have the right tools to mount securely without cracking or damage.

Wiring Verification

For wired doorbells, we verify your transformer voltage and wiring condition. If there's an issue, we'll let you know before you're left with a non-working doorbell.

Complete Setup

We don't just mount it and leave. We'll help you set up the app, configure motion zones, adjust sensitivity, and make sure everything is working before we go.

Recommendations

Based on your home's layout and your goals, we can suggest whether battery or wired makes more sense, and which features you'll actually use.

Important Note About Electrical Work

Here's something many people don't realize: installing a wired doorbell that requires a new transformer or new wiring is electrical work that requires a licensed electrician in Colorado.

At High Plains Home Tech, we can:

  • ✅ Install battery-powered doorbells
  • ✅ Install wired doorbells using existing low-voltage doorbell wiring
  • ✅ Install PoE (Power over Ethernet) cameras

We cannot:

  • ❌ Install or replace doorbell transformers (120V electrical work)
  • ❌ Run new doorbell wiring from your electrical panel
  • ❌ Modify any 120V electrical circuits

If your installation requires electrical work, we'll let you know and can recommend a licensed electrician to handle that portion.

When DIY Makes Sense

  • ✅ You're installing a battery-powered doorbell
  • ✅ Your mounting surface is wood or vinyl siding
  • ✅ You have strong WiFi at your front door
  • ✅ You're comfortable with basic tools and apps

When to Call a Pro

  • ❌ You want a wired installation and aren't sure about your existing wiring
  • ❌ Your mounting surface is brick, stone, or stucco
  • ❌ Your WiFi is weak or unreliable at the front door
  • ❌ You've tried DIY and it's not working right
  • ❌ You want the camera positioned for optimal coverage
  • ❌ You'd rather spend your Saturday doing something else

The Real Value of Professional Installation

A doorbell camera is only useful if it:

  • Actually captures what you need to see
  • Stays connected reliably
  • Alerts you when it should
  • Doesn't become another "smart" device that frustrates you

A bad installation means missed deliveries, false alerts at 3 AM, or a camera that's always "offline." Professional installation ensures you get the security and convenience you paid for.

Ready to Secure Your Front Door?

We install Ring, Nest, Arlo, Eufy, and most other popular video doorbells. Give us a call or text to discuss your setup — we're happy to answer questions even if you decide to DIY.

View our full Doorbell Camera & Security services or read our electrical work limitations to understand what we can and can't do.

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