Your home alarm is protecting everything that’s important to you. Do you really want to risk it all by installing one yourself?
Professionally Installed Monitoring Alarm System
A monitoring alarm system installed by a professional will come with a few obvious advantages. For example, you don’t have to do any of the hard work or climb any ladders. Simply call a dealer, set an appointment, and they’ll take care of it for you. In addition, a professionally installed system can have a few other advantages as well, such as:
- Knowledge and Experience: Professionals have installed numerous systems and are able to advise you on the best equipment to use and most secure possible layout for your alarm system. A pro can make sure your equipment doesn’t pick up motion from pets, for example, and that all of the components of the system are placed for optimal coverage.
- Lower Equipment Costs: Many times professionals are able to give you deep discounts on equipment. They get much of their equipment at a wholesale discount and are able to pass those savings on to you.
- 24-Hour Monitoring: Professionally installed monitoring alarm systems come with round the clock monitoring service, so you’re truly protected in case of an intrusion.
There are not many disadvantages with a professionally installed alarm system, but there are some potential drawbacks such as:
- Higher Up-Front Costs: You may pay for labor with many professionally-installed alarm systems – keep an eye out for discounts on installation fees.
- Scheduling an Appointment: Many times you’ll have to schedule an appointment during the day when you would normally be at work. It can sometimes be difficult to get an appointment that is convenient for your personal schedule.
DIY Monitoring Alarm System
On the surface, DIY systems seem to have the advantage of being less expensive, and that is the primary draw for most homeowners. Some other advantages include:
- Do It On Your Schedule: If you plan on installing it yourself you can install it whenever you want. There’s no need to make an appointment, or wait for someone to arrive.
Although saving money and installing at your leisure are nice advantages to a DIY system, you may also encounter the following disadvantages:
- It’s All Up To You: Unless you have someone to help, installing a DIY system will be completely up to you. You won’t have any guidance or expertise to guide you. You’ll also have to make sure you have all the tools and knowledge required to install it correctly. You’ll have to figure out how to position the sensors correctly, comply with local laws regarding surveillance equipment, and come up with a distribution of components that covers your entire property.
- It May Not Work Properly: If you’re installing a system yourself, you also take over the management of the system – making sure all the components are working properly. If a camera or sensor fails, you’ll be faced with figuring out what’s wrong and replacing equipment yourself.
- Higher Costs for Equipment: The money you save by not paying someone else to install your monitoring alarm system may not completely offset the higher equipment costs. As stated above, equipment is usually less expensive when installed by a professional because of their discounts.
Takeaway: It is likely going to be better in the long run to have your monitoring alarm system installed by a professional. Most homeowners find the best value in hiring a professional to install their alarm system for them.