Is Your Home Security System Protecting You
Monitoring your home security system has never been easier but
there are several things you need to consider before committing
yourself to a long term monitoring agreement with any alarm company.
Alarm companies don’t make the majority of their profit from
selling security systems; it comes from accumulating a large base
of alarm-monitoring contracts. If fact, these monitoring contracts
are so profitable that they are frequently bought and sold like
mortgage notes.
Tip #1
Ask if they are an authorized alarm dealer or represent
a marketing company.
Marketing companies have learned to flood a market with fantastic
offers on security systems with the sole purpose of selling the
contracts at a profit. They often use any sub-contractor available,
which can lead to poor customer service once the marketing company
leaves town.
Once you find a reputable alarm company, ask them to come out to
your home and give you a quote. You’ll find that most will
quote you a basic security system at a reasonable price. These basic
security systems generally include a control panel, keypad, motion
detector, a couple of door contacts, inside siren, a yard sign and
warning decals.
Tip #2
Make sure the equipment can be monitored by any alarm company,
not by just the one selling it to you. If they use proprietary security
equipment, you could be left in a bind should you become dissatisfied with their service for
any reason. Ademco, DSC, & Caddx are well known manufacturers
and can be monitored by any one.
Some companies offer a low installation charge of $99.00 or
will give you a “FREE” security system. Many do so if
you put a security sign in your yard for advertising purposes and
commit to a long-term alarm-monitoring contract.
Since the installation charge doesn’t cover the true cost of the
equipment and labor, you are charged a substantial monthly fee to
recoup their investment. These “deals” or equipment
leases aren’t necessarily bad but make it hard to evaluate the true
cost to you over time.
The best way to evaluate your contract is to ask the salesperson to
give you a quote to purchase the security system outright and show
the home alarm-monitoring fee separately. Most of the time you are
better off buying the alarm system because your monitoring fee will
be much less.
For example: Say for $99, your monitoring fee is $35 per month for
3 years, your total cost for monitoring your home alarm is $1359.00. Your fee
will remain $35 per month or even increase.
On the other hand, say you pay $599.00 installation and $20 dollars
a month, your total cost is $1319. Not only is your overall cost
less but from year 3 on, you will be saving $180 per year. This
saving would be better spent on upgrading your alarm system to
include fire monitoring and added perimeter protection.
Tip #3
Don’t pay additional charges for medical or fire monitoring.
It’s ok to pay for the equipment needed but some companies
charge $2-$5 extra for these services. These options are easily
programmed into the alarm system and don’t require any additional
effort to monitor.
Is A Basic Security System For You?
The answer is probably not. Basic systems only cover your doors
and are supplemented by the use of a motion detector. This detector
is usually mounted in the main hallway to catch a burglar crossing
the center of the home. If they come through a bedroom window and
never pass by the motion detector, the alarm system will never sound.
Imagine being home at the time this happens. Basic security systems
are best used as a deterrent to a break in and to notify the authorities
when an alarm condition exists.
Adding perimeter protection, such as window contacts or glass break
detectors should be high on the list of upgrades. These types of
upgrades not only activate the alarm system instantly but also will
give you piece of mind while you are home.
Protect Your Financial Interest Not Just Your Home
Get all quotes in writing and make sure the quote is a binding
quote.
At a minimum, the following should be included in your contract.
Length of contract and if / how it renews. Does it renew automatically?
What type of notice do you have to give to terminate the monitoring
agreement?
Will your fee increase and is there a limit on the increase? If
at all possible, lock in your monitoring fee for the entire contract
otherwise you could see an increase every year.
Don’t be afraid to walk away on this point alone.
Do you own the equipment or is it a lease? A lease means lower
initial installation cost but high monitoring fees.
Warranty:
Most of the alarm equipment comes with its own warranty in
addition to what is offered by your company. Specify the warranty
for each item so that you aren’t charged if it fails.
Also, specify how long the warranty on labor is. Expect to pay some
labor cost for replacing under warranty items.
Service Calls
Alarm technicians are usually well trained to diagnose and fix problems
with your security system. Be prepared to pay in the neighborhood
of $55 per hour. The fee can seem high when compared to your original
installation cost but is not out of line. Think about how much you
pay for your car or computer to be worked on.
How long is the response time to service your alarm system?
48 hours is a reasonable time.
Do they provide an installation certificate for your home owner’s
insurance?
Many insurance companies offer a discount for monitored
home security systems.
Don’t Wait Until
You Have A Break-In To Get An Alarm System!
You can replace most things but you may never replace your sense
of security in your own home.
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