Intercom & Buzzer Systems
That Actually Work

An audio intercom lets you speak with visitors through a handset or speakerphone and release the door remotely — the classic apartment buzzer setup. A video intercom adds a camera at the door station so you can see who's there before answering or buzzing them in. For most buildings we install today, video is the right call: the cost difference is modest, and being able to see a visitor — especially a delivery person, an unfamiliar face, or a package left at the door — adds real practical value. That said, audio-only systems remain the right fit for certain retrofit situations where existing wiring limits options.

Yes — IP-based and cloud-connected intercom systems push calls to a smartphone app over the internet. When a visitor presses the button at your door station, your phone rings, you see the live camera feed, speak with the visitor, and press a button in the app to release the door. This works whether you're upstairs, in the office, or anywhere with a data connection. The key is using a system designed for this — not a consumer video doorbell bolted onto a commercial door. We install SIP and IP intercom systems (Aiphone, 2N, BAS-IP, and others) where remote answering is built into the platform rather than hacked on as an afterthought.

Yes, and this is one of the most important parts of the job. An intercom without door release integration means a visitor still needs a physical key to enter after you buzz — defeating the purpose. We wire electric door strikes or magnetic locks to the intercom system so pressing the release button actually unlocks the door. For buildings that already have access control (key fobs or cards for tenants), we integrate the intercom to handle visitor entry while tenants enter using their credentials — the cleanest setup for multi-unit residential buildings. We assess the door hardware during the site visit and specify the right electric strike or mag-lock for your door frame and fire code requirements.

A single-door residential install — door station, one indoor monitor, electric strike — typically takes half a day to a full day. A multi-tenant apartment building with a lobby panel serving 10–30 units takes one to two days depending on the building and how much rewiring is involved. Large commercial buildings with multiple entry points, IP network integration, and access control pairing can run two to three days. The biggest variable in NYC is existing wiring: if your building has usable 4-wire or Cat5 already run, installation is faster. Pre-war buildings with no existing intercom wiring take longer because conduit runs or wire fishing add time. We give you a clear timeline in the quote.

Yes — this is a significant portion of what we do. Pre-war buildings in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx often have existing 2-wire or 4-wire intercom infrastructure that's decades old. In many cases, we can reuse that wiring with a new audio system. For video or IP upgrades, we typically need to run new cable — either fishing wire through walls, running surface conduit in basements and risers, or pulling through existing conduit if it's available. We've worked in buildings with original knob-and-tube plaster walls, tight masonry chases, and co-op boards that require advance approval for any work. We know how to scope these jobs honestly so there are no surprises on installation day.