In this article:
House Security System Options
House Alarm Monitoring Companies
Non-Monitored House Alarm & Security Systems
Best Home Security Companies
There are a handful of house alarm companies that also manufacture monitoring equipment. These companies then provide their products to thousands of dealers that sell the equipment and install the alarm systems.
Be wary of companies that install proprietary systems that they claim only work with their licensed monitoring systems. Also alarm companies that will not allow you to change your pass code on your own or switch to another monitoring company when your contract has ended. A good rule of thumb: Make sure your system uses non-proprietary components and you have access to all codes and programming features.
Talk to three or four alarm companies and have them do a risk assessment to determine what your security challenges are and how to address them. Make sure the company offers to do an on-site inspection free of charge. Don’t even consider a company that tells you it won’t need to send a representative to your home.
Get some references from previous clients. Did the company install the equipment within the given time frame? If there was an equipment problem, was it dealt with promptly? Was the system explained to everyone living in the home? If a client had an intrusion, were the police contacted immediately? Will the company send you notice before it sells your contract to another monitoring station?
Get price quotes in writing and make sure they include set-up, equipment, monthly monitoring fees, and warranties. Expect to pay $1 to $2 per square foot of your home for a basic system installation and $25 to $40 per month for monitoring. Add an extra $10 per month for intercom communication. Add an extra $50 to $300 per month for dual-tech sensors and pet alleys. Add an extra $5 per month for fire protection. Add an extra $75 to $100 one-time-only fee for a remote control.
Set-up/installation fees vary according to the type of equipment installed, number of individual security devices included, and the size of your home. Expect anywhere up to $1,500 for a 3,000-square-foot house with a multiple set-up. To add fire protection, add $200 to $500.
Be wary of alarm companies that charge an additional fee to connect to a central station. Typically, those fees are built into the pricing.
Installation time varies, of course, with bigger homes taking up to three days, especially if no previous alarm wiring is present. In smaller homes (approximately 1,200 square feet), it generally takes a day or less if any pre-wiring exists. Wireless installation takes only one to three hours.
Once your system is in place, you may be required to sign a three- to five-year contract with the alarm company. Make sure the contract guarantees no fee increase during its duration, and ask if breaking the contract before the expiration will result in penalties.
After the expiration of a contract, you usually get to keep door contacts, motion detectors, and glass-break sensors. Make sure this is part of your contract.
Many police departments require two permits to have a monitored home security alarm system installed. The first is a state monitoring permit with the local police and the second is an electrical permit to install and monitor the system. Charges for false alarms vary by area; check with your local police about the policy.
House Security System Options
Alarm systems come with the following options:
* Standard for all systems, the hidden control panel, with its power source, is the brains of the system and is connected to all other components, including one standard phone line.
* A security keypad is also standard and designed for easy arming and disarming. For convenience, the keypad tells you whether your system is armed correctly or not. For an additional cost, you may have additional keypads installed.
* PIR (Passive Infrared) Detectors, commonly known as motion detectors, use sensors to detect changes in infrared energy levels in the form of heat and motion. Typically, they are installed high up on walls, or over doors or windows. Look for sensors that meet American National Standards Institute and SIAC standards. Installers should be certified with The National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association and/or by state.
* Door and window contacts are magnetic devices placed along door jambs and window frames to trigger the armed alarm system if doors or windows are opened. Some systems include a chime that goes off whenever a door or window has been opened—very useful if you have young children with the urge to explore the great outdoors.
* Audio discriminators are sensors that convert the acoustic shock waves of glass breaking into an electrical signal that sets off the system.* Sirens come in the form of bells, horns, or strobe lights. Sirens can be installed inside (usually in an attic) or outside the home and usually draw immediate neighborhood attention to an intrusion.
* Signs and stickers usually come as part of the alarm system package. Both are useful as warnings to potential intruders your home is protected.
* A 24-hour back-up system kicks in if your phone line is cut or your power is shut off.
There is also a back-up system that can maintain your alarm system using a battery for up to 72 hours. Back-up systems are essential if your home uses a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) primary phone system because most alarm systems are not compatible with VoIP. A cell phone back-up allows the monitoring station to contact you on your cell phone.
* Certain keypads act as two-way intercoms with your monitoring company, allowing for instant voice communication. Instead of phoning the house to verify an alarm, the monitoring company simply speaks to you over the intercom.
* A remote control can disarm your system from a few feet away and without the need to enter a code into a keypad. The disadvantage of a remote control is that you cannot confirm if your system is on, which makes tripping the alarm possible. Also, if the remote control is stolen, thieves have an easy way to disarm your system.
* A monitored smoke detector will send a signal to the central monitoring station if smoke is present in your home. Units usually have separate channels or zones for burglar and fire sensors.
* There are two options if you have indoor pets. One is a device that can identify the difference between a human and a pet that weighs up to 100 pounds. It has a dual-element sensor, which requires two sets of beams to be tripped simultaneously. It is difficult for one pet to trigger both alarms; however, be aware that multiple pets playing or fighting could accidentally set off the alarm. The second option is creating a pet alley by placing beams high enough above the floor so that movement by a pet won‘t be detected.
* A single video camera and monitor can be added to your system, as well as a complex closed circuit television (CCTV) with several cameras, multiple operators, and digital recorders.
House Alarm Monitoring Companies
Alarm companies charge a monthly fee in addition to the installation fee. The monthly fee is based on the options you have chosen and the length of your contract.
Monitoring companies receive an intruder signal when the system is tripped and the control panel sends relevant information to the central monitoring station over standard phone lines. You are then contacted by the station within 10 seconds, either by telephone or over the intercom system. The station asks you to verify yourself using your name and pass code. If you cannot provide the pass code, the monitoring station sends the police.
When you sign up with a monitoring station, you provide information on the primary, secondary, and tertiary contacts to be notified if you are not at home. Smaller alarm companies often contract with third-party monitoring stations. Typically, this arrangement costs you less but is riskier because smaller alarm companies do not have to adhere to the same standards as the large ones.
Large home security monitoring companies usually have in-house central stations that simultaneously watch over thousands of homes and businesses. These services cost more because they are verified by the independent non-profit Underwriters Laboratories (UL), which tests their products and services for maximum safety and reliability. Larger, internally managed stations must also contact authorities within 45 seconds and have a reliable back-up system of 10 to 15 days in case of a power outage.
Non-Monitored House Alarm & Security Systems
A non-monitored alarm system, which is not linked to a central monitoring station, costs a lot less. This type of system dials the local police directly when your system detects an intruder or sounds a siren and/or flashes your home’s exterior lights.
If you want to skip paying the monthly fee to have a central monitoring station, you run the risk of being fined by local police per false alarm. In addition, response time by the police is not guaranteed, and, if you live in an urban area, you may not be able to count on neighbors responding, especially given the time of day of the break-in.
A standard warranty should come with your contract and a 90-day guarantee on parts and labor. For an extra $100 to $200, you might want to consider adding an extended warranty for maintenance and repair that would cover any needed parts, labor, or base fees.
Best Home Security Companies
There are three major home security companies, offering a range of packages. All meet UL and National Fire Protection Association standards.
ADT Home Security
ADT has been around for over 100 years and has multiple central monitoring stations, so if one center is interrupted, another station takes over. All of its stations have multiple back-up systems.
ADT offers a Web special that includes a quick-connect control panel, two door or window contacts, a motion detector, a wireless key chain remote, one power supply and 24-hour battery, plus signs and decals. This offer lists for $299 (with a $200 rebate). The monthly monitoring fee is $42.99.
The Essentials Plus package comes with a Pro 3000 hardwired control panel, a Pro 3000 standard touchpad, two door or window contacts, a motion detector, an indoor sounder, one power supply and 24-hour battery, plus signs and decals. The cost is $315 (no rebate). The monitoring fee is $33.99 per month.
Both packages offer the company’s Quality Service Plan with a three-year commitment.
Brinks Home Security
Brinks has been in business since 1983. It is a full-service provider with emergency back-up facilities and does not contract out its monitoring services.
The basic package starts at $49 and includes a standard keypad, two door or window sensors, a motion detector, an interior siren, a master control panel, plus signs and decals. The standard keypad allows you to enter simple numeric numbers to arm or disarm the system and has three emergency buttons.
The premium packages start at $155 and include a premium keypad, three door or window sensors, a motion detector, an interior siren, a master control panel, plus signs and decals. The premium keypad has a backlit, user-friendly digital keypad that uses a large display to walk you through the system’s functions. The master control panel includes an enclosed back-up battery in the event of a power outage.
Monitoring services run $29.99 a month if you sign up for a three-year contract.
Alarm One
Alarm One has been in existence since 1996 and is a full-service provider as well.
Its Secure Family Package is completely wireless and ideal for small or medium-sized homes. System equipment and installation are free, for the activation fee of $99. It comes with a master control panel (with two-way intercom), two door or window sensors, a motion detector with pet immunity, a back-up power supply, plus signs and decals.
The A One Premium Package offers the same activation fee with the option of an upgrade to three door or window sensors, wireless remote controls, and an extended repair service.
Both systems require a three-year monitoring contract.
