A video intercom is a doorbell, a camera and a door release in one. For homes that usually means a wired video doorbell. For offices, gated drives and apartment buildings it means a station at the door or gate that rings your phone or front desk. We run the power and cable, wire the door or gate release, and tie it into your cameras and access control.
What we do
- Video doorbellsPoE or doorbell-wire models, with transformer upgrades when needed.
- Door stationsWith a directory, card reader and door release.
- Gate stationsWired, Wi-Fi or cellular, with conduit and power at the gate.
- Apartment entryResidents answer on their phones.
- IntegrationCalls, snapshots and unlocks logged with your cameras and doors.
- Indoor stationsScreens at a desk or front office.
How a video intercom works
- A visitor presses callAt the door or gate station, they pick a name from the directory or press the button.
- You answer anywhereVideo and voice ring your phone, an indoor screen or a front-desk station.
- You let them inOne tap releases the door or opens the gate. Or tell them to leave the package.
- It’s recordedThe call, the snapshot and the unlock are saved in the log.
Video doorbells for homes
A wired doorbell records around the clock, doesn’t need charging, and can include a second camera aimed down at packages (Ubiquiti).
Which intercom fits?
| Type | Good for | How residents answer |
|---|---|---|
| Video doorbell | Single-family homes | Phone app, chime |
| Door or gate station | Offices, shops, estates, gated drives | Phone app, desk station; with access control (Ubiquiti) |
| Apartment entry | Multifamily buildings and HOAs | Phone app, often no in-unit wiring needed (ButterflyMX) (2N) |
| Cellular call box | Remote gates with no network | Phone call to residents (DoorKing) |
Apartments, townhomes and HOAs
For a recent multi-building townhome property, we planned the cameras and gate access together, on one platform. Cloud intercoms let residents answer on their phones and open the door or gate, without wiring every unit (ButterflyMX).
Choosing a system
We pick the intercom for how your visitors and residents arrive. What we compare:
- Video and audio quality, day and night
- Answering from a phone app, an indoor station or both
- Door or gate release tied to your access system
- Resident directories and apartment entry for multifamily buildings
- Subscriptions, and what still works if the internet is down
From our jobs
How the job goes
- 1Call or send a quote request
Tell us the doors or gates and who answers.
- 2Walkthrough
Power, cable routes and the door or gate hardware.
- 3Options and estimate
Station choices and how calls are answered.
- 4Install
Mounting, wiring and release hookup.
- 5Set up
Directories, apps and a test call.
Permits and approvals
Doorbells and intercoms are usually simple low-voltage work. Door hardware changes on exit doors and gate work can involve fire and building rules, which we check first.
Inside Auburn city limits, electrical permits come from the City of Auburn Building Division, which takes permit applications online. In unincorporated areas, such as North Auburn, it’s Placer County Building Services. Elsewhere it’s that city or county’s building department. We pull the permit, schedule the inspection and meet the inspector.
It may seem odd to describe electrical work as beautiful, but that’s precisely what Walter’s work is—beautiful!
Common questions
Can I use my existing doorbell wires?
Often, yes. Many video doorbells run on doorbell wiring at 16–24 VAC. Older transformers can be too small, so we check and replace them when needed.
Wired or battery doorbell?
Wired doorbells don’t need charging and can record continuously. Battery models are easier to put up but need recharging and usually record only on motion.
Can an intercom open my gate?
Yes. Gate stations can release the gate from your phone and log the call. At a remote gate with no network, a cellular call box is an option.
Do apartment intercoms need wiring to every unit?
Not always. Cloud intercoms ring residents’ phones, so many buildings skip in-unit wiring.
Request a free quote
Free estimates, no pressure. Tell us a little about the job and we’ll get back to you. Or call (530) 401-7419, answered 24/7.
Sources
- City of Auburn Building Division www.auburn.ca.gov
- Placer County Building Services www.placer.ca.gov
- Ubiquiti: UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro tech specs techspecs.ui.com
- Ubiquiti: UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro PoE Kit tech specs techspecs.ui.com
- Ubiquiti: UniFi Intercom tech specs techspecs.ui.com
- ButterflyMX: Multifamily video intercom butterflymx.com
- 2N: Solutions for apartment buildings www.2n.com
- DoorKing: Cellular control box for telephone entry systems www.doorking.com
Product details come from the makers’ own pages and can change; we confirm them before we quote. Checked against the sources above in November 2026.