Home security companies are growing by leaps and bounds these days. With all of the crime that is going on, it’s easy to see why homeowners need for home security. But how do they choose the right company to provide their home protection? The first thing you should consider is what kind of home security system you need. There are basically three types of systems: home surveillance, access control and integrated security. Most home security companies will offer all three.
Most home security companies charge an average of $100 to install an alarm and up to $50 a month for professional monitoring. However, most security companies do not make you pay for all of the equipment upfront, which may be as much as $1,000 or so. Instead, the cost for most equipment is contained in your monthly fees. For example, you’ll only have to pay for the alarm if you ever need it, and that’s about it. There are also some alarm systems that will come with access control panels, cameras and key pads for you to enter your password into remotely.
Before you choose one home security company, it’s important to understand exactly what kind of equipment costs. Remember, there’s no such thing as a cheap alarm system. Instead, what you’re looking for is the alarm with the lowest total cost. The best home security companies offer equipment at competitive prices, so you won’t have to pay a fortune just to protect your home. Here are a few things to consider before choosing a provider:
*The cost of installation. Some home security companies include installation in their fee, while others do not. It’s important that you understand exactly how much installation will cost and what options you have if you don’t want to hire a technician to install the system for you. Most medical alarm systems come with pre-installed components, but some installation should be done by a technician if you don’t have them in your home already.
* Fees for emergency personnel. Each home security company has different policies on whether they will dispatch emergency personnel if an alarm is activated. Some simply dispatch a member of their staff to the incident site as soon as an alarm is heard, while others will dispatch emergency personnel right on the scene. The policies may also vary depending on how many medical alarm systems are installed in a home. Many home security companies will provide monitoring services free of charge, but several may require monthly or yearly fees.
* Actual number of monitored locations. While each home security company will claim that they offer the best monitoring service available, they’re still not going to be able to guarantee that all of the rooms in your house are covered by their equipment. A good company will be able to give you an exact number of monitored locations in your home, so you can better check into your coverage requirements. If you don’t have a lot of rooms covered, you may not need to pay the fee for extra monitoring positions.
* Features offered by each home alarm system. All home security companies will offer certain features on their devices. For example, some companies will bundle up the installation of the home alarm system with the use of their app. This feature is convenient for someone who doesn’t want to have to call out a representative to help them set it up. However, most home alarm systems come standard with one main button, which makes for easier button pushing during the actual installation process. If you’re interested in having your home alarm system connected to your personal smartphone device (such as an Android or iPhone), you may want to check out what each app offers in terms of added features. Some home alarm systems include video footage of the person trying to enter the home, so you’ll have more evidence should someone try to break in while you’re home.
If you are considering investing in burglar alarms and other property protection systems, you should make sure to choose a home security company that offers both services. Many companies only have one monitoring station, which means if there’s a break-in at one location, it will affect all monitors. This can lead to false alarms being sent to different areas of the property. Also, with only a single control station, a home security company may not have the ability to send notification to other security elements such as the police or fire department. Make sure that you get a package deal that includes multiple levels of protection.
