We've answered every question we've been asked more than once.

No. The camera is solar-powered with onboard battery backup, so it doesn't draw from site power and doesn't need to be connected to any site infrastructure. No electrician, no cable run.

The camera connects over 4G LTE, so it needs no site Wi-Fi, no on-site network, and no IT setup. We confirm the SIM and data arrangement for your region when we scope the project. On sites where Wi-Fi is available and preferred, the camera can connect that way instead.

No. The camera arrives pre-configured and the only task on site is mounting it. Installation takes under an hour with no specialist knowledge or tools required. The team is available by phone on install day if you need a hand.

The camera runs on solar with battery backup sized to carry it through extended overcast conditions. The livestream and Pro systems add a large-capacity external battery pack in the mount for longer low-light stretches and higher-draw operation, so the power system holds up through overcast spells without intervention.

The Buildcam TL is a 24MP timelapse camera: the documentation-first choice. The Buildcam LS is a 4K livestream camera for sites that need real-time visibility as the primary use case. The Buildcam Pro combines both in one system. All run on solar, connect over 4G, and feed the same platform.

Indefinitely, for the duration of your subscription. Cameras have been on continuous deployments for 5+ years. The hardware is rated for long-term outdoor installation and the power system is self-sustaining.

The housing is IP66 rated, sealed against dust and driving rain, and built to hold up to constant sun exposure. It is designed to run outdoors, unattended, for the full length of a project without a protective structure around it.

Yes. The camera is built for continuous outdoor deployment across full seasons, from freezing winters to peak summer heat. It has run on multi-year installations in a wide range of climates without site intervention. Note that battery charge and capacity can be affected by extreme weather conditions sustained over extended periods.

The Buildcam TL captures at 24MP, which is enough resolution to zoom into a specific part of the frame, read signage, check rebar placement or trace a defect, without the image breaking up. That detail is what makes the footage useful for verification, not just a wide progress shot.

The camera connects over 4G LTE. We confirm the SIM, data, and connectivity arrangement for your region when we scope the project, so you know what it covers and what it costs before you commit. On sites where you would rather use existing Wi-Fi, it can connect that way instead.

Most technical issues are captured remotely and caught without a site visit. Housings can be subjected to moisture ingress in humid environments. We recommend regular site visits to replace desiccant sachets (moisture absorbers) periodically to prevent excessive build-up. Housing windows can also get dirty or attract spiderwebs, so maintenance visits should be factored in to a project.

Region-specific hosting is available in the US, AU, and EU. Per-project data residency can be configured during onboarding. Flag it on the quote form if relevant to your project.

Yes. SAML 2.0 and OIDC are supported, allowing the platform to be brought under your existing identity provider (Okta, Azure AD, Google Workspace, etc.). Multi-factor authentication is enforced by default for all accounts.

A REST API and webhook system providing read access to images, projects, capture events, and timelapse exports is available for our partnership and enterprise accounts. Speak to one of our team for more information.

All images and project data are retained for the full duration of your subscription, across three independent copies. Projects archived on completion remain accessible read-only and stay retained as long as the parent account is active.

We confirm vantage point selection, sun angle suitability for solar, cellular coverage at the specific location, and the capture schedule. We'll also agree on the mount type and any access requirements. The call usually takes 20 minutes.

Your site team. Installation requires no specialist tools or knowledge. The camera ships fully configured with the mount hardware, and the only on-site task is positioning and securing it. We're available by phone on install day if you need a hand.

We use four criteria: bounding box (does the frame capture the full site footprint?), sun angle (will the solar panel receive enough direct sunlight?), sky line-of-sight (clear cellular signal?), and physical security (is the camera position accessible to the public?). We work through this with you on the pre-install callback.

Yes. Cameras can be relocated between sites or repositioned within a site. Each relocation creates a new vantage in the same project record. For multi-stage projects, cameras can move as each stage completes while the timeline reads continuously.

We confirm coverage before the camera ships. If 4G coverage is insufficient, we'll recommend an external antenna or Wi-Fi as primary. For very remote sites, we can provide satellite connectivity options. Discuss during the pre-install call.

Cost depends on your camera type, project duration, and location, so there is no single sticker price. Our pricing page is the single source of truth for how our pricing works, and our instant quote feature turns your project details into a specific number in a couple of minutes. Refer to our pricing page for a full breakdown of our pricing.

Yes. Timestamped, continuous site imagery is one of the most direct ways to demonstrate what work was done, when it was done, and under what conditions. Footage from PhotoSentinel has been used in dispute resolution, variation claims, and insurance submissions.

The critical factors are timestamps, continuity, and storage integrity. PhotoSentinel footage is timestamped at capture, stored in tamper-resistant cloud infrastructure, and retains full metadata. There are no gaps or edits in the record unless a capture event is legitimately missed.

From Sentinel OS, you can export any date range as full-resolution images or as a compiled timelapse. Exports include original EXIF data and capture timestamps. Your solicitor or quantity surveyor can work directly from the exported files.

Yes. Sentinel OS has role-based access. You can create a read-only project user for any external party. They see the timeline and imagery for the project scope you define, without access to your account or other projects.

Standard timelapse capture runs continuously on a set schedule throughout the day, so the record is built from consistent, regular intervals across the working day rather than one-off triggers. We set the capture schedule with you during onboarding so the coverage matches what your site and stakeholders need to see.

Footage is retained in Sentinel OS for as long as your account is active. When a project subscription ends, the project moves to read-only archive status. Your footage remains accessible and exportable. Specific retention terms are documented in your master service agreement.

A REST API and webhook system providing read access to images, projects, capture events, and timelapse exports is available for our partnership and enterprise accounts. Speak to one of our team for more information.

Yes. Bulk image export is available to S3-compatible storage (AWS, Azure Blob, Google Cloud Storage). Exports can be scheduled or triggered manually. Full-resolution originals and platform-generated timelapses can both be exported.

Via webhook or API, yes. Common integrations include Procore, Aconex, and general S3 storage for document management systems. We provide the API endpoints and connection guidance. Your team implements the integration with your stack.

Raw, unprocessed images are written to the camera's onboard SSD and retrieved periodically. They are not uploaded to the platform in bulk, and the raw originals are not viewable in the gallery, which works from processed images. If you need the raw files for a specific project, talk to our team about the retrieval process that suits it.

The platform is fully responsive and works in any mobile browser. A native mobile app is on the roadmap. Discuss availability during the quote callback.

By phone, email, or platform ticket. Phone: US +1 (970) 999-0040, Australia +61 (0) 3 9434 7352, or UAE +971 (0) 56 436 2244. Email: support@photosentinel.com. For non-urgent issues, the platform has a built-in support ticket system accessible from any project.

For customers on a subscription plan, camera-down issues (no images received) are treated as urgent: response target within 2 business hours. Platform issues: same business day. General queries: next business day. Response targets are documented in the master service agreement.

We ship a pre-configured swap unit under a same-week SLA. The replacement inherits your project metadata so the timeline reads continuously, with no gap in the record. The failed unit is returned for assessment and repair.

Yes. Platform uptime SLA is 99.9% (monthly). Camera swap SLA is same-week for defect failures. Both are documented in the master service agreement, available on request.