topic Re: Home security system questions? in Community Chat

Home security system questions?

Shorty2U — Wed, 07 May 2014 18:22:56 GMT

If you don't mind can you tell me the best security system company (I am in SE PA) and answer some questions?

My DD said that her friend just paid only $121.00 for installation (I don't know the companies name she is going to find out), and its like $32.00 a month which to me seems very affordable. She said they set her friend up and they do a test for the first week to see the movements in the house.

So my questions are; Does that sound like a decent price and FOR that price is that accurate security? Also, what do they do about pets? We have 3 cats (one of whom likes to jump at windows. lol). Would that set the system off? Lastly- I stay at home during the day, so how does the system affect me moving around when my DH leaves for work early and sets the system?

I take it they know someone's in the home and you JUST set the system when going out OR to bed, yes? no? PS I don't need the home to have video when we are out because like I said I am mostly home and when DH and I go out its in the early afternoon (mostly) for errands and appts. and then we are back home again.

TIA!

Re: Home security system questions?

chickenbutt — Wed, 07 May 2014 18:28:05 GMT

I cannot be certain if it is 'the best', but we've had ADT for over ten years and they have been excellent.

They are very responsive. If you need to call them for general help they are helpful and knowledgeable. One thing I didn't know in the beginning is that if one of your batteries dies you can just call them to replace it. I was buying (not cheap!) and replacing my own for the first couple of years until one of the reps told me that I don't have to do that - they will bring and install the new battery. They are always able to be here within a day.

Re: Home security system questions?

Elstongunn — Wed, 07 May 2014 18:35:59 GMT

On 5/7/2014 chickenbutt said:
I cannot be certain if it is 'the best', but we've had ADT for over ten years and they have been excellent.

They are very responsive. If you need to call them for general help they are helpful and knowledgeable. One thing I didn't know in the beginning is that if one of your batteries dies you can just call them to replace it. I was buying (not cheap!) and replacing my own for the first couple of years until one of the reps told me that I don't have to do that - they will bring and install the new battery. They are always able to be here within a day.

We've had ADT for at least 10 years and it was in our contract that battery replacement was included. No more. We just talked to them about renewing our contract, and they are no longer going to replace the batteries. That is a huge expense. We have quite an expensive and involved security system that we had them set up.

Shorty2U: Yes, you can set your system for "Stay," which allows you/pets to move about the house as long as you don't open any of the doors or windows that are attached to the alarm system.

Re: Home security system questions?

scotttie — Wed, 07 May 2014 19:06:05 GMT

I don't know a whole lot about this but my friend's husband used to install them. 2 things I remember her mentioning was to be sure to alarm more than just the doors. Sometimes you will be quoted a price but that doesn't include windows.

Another issue is will it still work if your phone lines are cut?

Re: Home security system questions?

Preds — Wed, 07 May 2014 19:17:46 GMT

Answering the door with a large butcher knife and a barking dog help, too. Sorry ... had that happen yesterday and scared the poor man to death. He wanted to invite us to his church ... now I'm not so sure.

Re: Home security system questions?

Elstongunn — Wed, 07 May 2014 19:19:54 GMT

On 5/7/2014 scotttie said:
I don't know a whole lot about this but my friend's husband used to install them. 2 things I remember her mentioning was to be sure to alarm more than just the doors. Sometimes you will be quoted a price but that doesn't include windows.

Another issue is will it still work if your phone lines are cut?

Excellent reminder to ask about that. We did, and we had to pay extra for a wireless communication device in case our lines were cut. We also had an outside beacon that would flash to warn us as we drove up to the house if our windows/doors had been breached while we were gone.

Re: Home security system questions?

scotttie — Wed, 07 May 2014 19:21:37 GMT

On 5/7/2014 ktlynam said:
On 5/7/2014 scotttie said:
I don't know a whole lot about this but my friend's husband used to install them. 2 things I remember her mentioning was to be sure to alarm more than just the doors. Sometimes you will be quoted a price but that doesn't include windows.

Another issue is will it still work if your phone lines are cut?

Excellent reminder to ask about that. We did, and we had to pay extra for a wireless communication device in case our lines were cut. We also had an outside beacon that would flash to warn us as we drove up to the house if our windows/doors had been breached while we were gone.

Oh hey! That sounds like a great addition also.

Preds: Only you buddy, only you!!

Re: Home security system questions?

ROMARY — Wed, 07 May 2014 19:30:25 GMT

ADT often has 'special' rates for a year. (Last year) $19.99 a month 'rings a bell', but I'm not completely sure. I would call the company, asking for special deals, or check out their site.

Re: Home security system questions?

KathyPet — Wed, 07 May 2014 21:00:59 GMT

Is this all because of that female sales person who knocked on your door? I don't think,that there are alarm systems that will help if you open the door to talk with someone. are you now afraid she is going to return and break in to force you to,show her your electric bill?

Re: Home security system questions?

RedTop — Wed, 07 May 2014 21:43:04 GMT

Shorty,

My suggestion is to find a reputable local company who installs security systems in your area, and deal strictly with them. You most definitely want a system that includes sensors on all your doors and windows, motion detectors (which are adjustable if you have inside pets), and heat sensors (your homeowners insurance will give you a premium break with this feature). When your husband leaves for work, he can set the system to protect you inside. However, if you open a door or window, you must remember to disarm the system first, or it will alarm as soon you open it. If you live out, I suggest a booster siren to help alert neighbors of a trouble alarm at your home. When a home system is installed, you will receive a certificate (give a copy to your insurance company) and lifetime warranty on your system. A good system is going to cost at least $1200+ for what I have mentioned above; we actually have about $2000 tied up in ours. If you're going to spend the money, please don't go cheap, as you will get exactly what you pay for with security systems.

ADT is simply a monitoring company that you pay monthly to monitor and respond to alarm activity at your home. A monitoring fee of $32.00 a month is a good deal. An installation fee of $121.00 is not a bad deal, BUT the key is what kind of system was installed for that amount of money---that is the main thing you need to know. The local company that installed our security system was dealing with ADT at the time our system was put online. In the years since then, this local company started working with another monitoring company that is substantially cheaper, so we left ADT and went through our local company. ADT raised rates 3x on us in 6 years, which to me was outrageous. ADT also changed their policy on service calls; if I called the 800# for ADT and scheduled service, they were not sending the local company to my home---they were sending service technicians from more than 100 miles away to my home for service. I didn't like that at all, as I wanted only the local people we know, and who know our system, to service my system, which was another reason we got away from ADT.

Please let me know if you have other specific system questions, or you could talk to your insurance company for suggestions as to reputable local companies to deal with. Good luck with your decision!

Re: Home security system questions?

Lipstickdiva — Wed, 07 May 2014 21:50:44 GMT

My DH's best friend owns a local alarm company. We had a system put in and our cost for just the equipment was close to $1,000.00 and he gave the stuff to us for his cost. That did not include installation which we didn't have to pay. He told us had we been Joe Customer from off the street and got what we got for an alarm system, with installation we would have been looking at close to $3,000.00.

He and DH installed it and everything is run through our walls. There are no wires running down the outside of our walls like some companies do. And this is the way he installs for everyone, not just us. Our smoke detectors are hard wired with the alarm system so we no longer have to worry about chirping batteries. LOL

We had 2 panels installed. One of the panels alone was $250.00 because we are able to upload photos and they scroll constantly across the panel. I wouldn't have spent the money on that, it was DH's idea. LOL

Our monitoring is a little less than $30.00 a month but it's paid quarterly.

Re: Home security system questions?

straykatz — Wed, 07 May 2014 21:53:44 GMT

We have ADT....all our windows and doors are on the system...it also includes fire/carbonmonoxide detection....we do not have motion detectors inside the house because we have cats.

Re: Home security system questions?

Shorty2U — Wed, 07 May 2014 21:59:50 GMT

On 5/7/2014 KathyPet said: Is this all because of that female sales person who knocked on your door? I don't think,that there are alarm systems that will help if you open the door to talk with someone. are you now afraid she is going to return and break in to force you to,show her your electric bill?

NO I am not afraid she is going to return! She was trying to scam us on the spot but it didnt work. I want an alarm for years and due to the recent increase in burglaries and scams in our county I thought its time.

I am alone in early mornings as my husband works early and we are getting older. I am not in great health so I cant fight off an attacker. So you can never be too safe, and we cannot have a dog because my husband is deathly allergic. And I don't want guns in my home. My friends/family either have guns, dogs or alarm systems. We have cats. What are cats going to do? Scratch them? lol

Thanks for the replies. I am calling ADT tomorrow and still waiting for DD to tell me about her friends service. They have a discount now.

ETA I will check with our insurance company too. Great idea, thanks Red Top and everyone else who replied. I appreciate it!

Re: Home security system questions?

terrier3 — Wed, 07 May 2014 22:05:45 GMT

When I bought my home, the previous owner had installed ADT. She had lots installed - all the windows have alarms, the doors, fire, carbon monoxide and cold (in case your furnace goes out when you are gone and your house gets too cold). There were also 3 motion sensors, living room, kitchen/dining and master bedroom. I have 23 windows and 4 doors that have alarms.

There is a board that allows me to turn off or turn on areas and types of alarms...I keep some windows on the 2nd floor open in the summer and didn't want the alarm to go off if they were open. I have the motion sensors off unless we are on vacation.

The previous owner spent well over $1000 for installation...I think it was closer to $2000. She spent $12,000 on California closets too (and now I get to enjoy them!). I have an annual contract and pay extra to have the battery replacement included - it comes to about $450 a year. Battery costs can add up with all the windows and doors and monitors...they come once a year or so and just replace all the batteries at once at no extra charge.

When one of us leaves the house, they punch in the code at a keypad near each of the two main doors. If you forget and try to leave, the door chimes in a way to remind you to activate the alarm. Same thing when you get home...just come in, go to the keypad and enter the number.

I'll admit I only have it armed at night...I usually feel safe and can't be bothered when I am throwing garbage or getting the mail. There is a secondary "chime" that goes off when the system isn't armed but someone is entering or leaving one of the main doors....kind of like "Honey, I'm home!"

If you have cable, many cable companies now offer alarm systems. If you "bundle" it with cable, you'll get a discount.

Re: Home security system questions?

corita — Thu, 08 May 2014 01:23:08 GMT

On 5/7/2014 Preds said:
Answering the door with a large butcher knife and a barking dog help, too. Sorry ... had that happen yesterday and scared the poor man to death. He wanted to invite us to his church ... now I'm not so sure.

True story...doorbell rang and I answered, screen door between me and a young man. He was selling something - can't remember what it was. I told him "no", was not interested. He became enraged, started yelling at me and pulling on the doorknob of the screen door. Thank goodness, I had locked the screen door!! I closed the door and moved away from it, but he scared the heck out of me. There is no telling what he might have done had he been able to get to me!! From that day on, I never close the front and back doors without locking the screen doors. Edited to add -- and when someone is at the door, I never open the front and back doors without making sure that the screen doors are locked!!

Re: Home security system questions?

missy1 — Thu, 08 May 2014 01:30:23 GMT

I would really check out who installs this system. They need to be trustworthy.. I would use other means of protection.,

Re: Home security system questions?

raven-blackbird — Thu, 08 May 2014 01:35:54 GMT

on ours we can unlock our doors, see who is at our front door, from our phone.................... we're hard wired into the fire department, that one is a mixed blessing...........I actually love this system....................................raven

Re: Home security system questions?

gazelle77 — Thu, 08 May 2014 01:42:39 GMT

I got tired of the bill every month.... We got a big dog....works great!

Re: Home security system questions?

Kalli — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:00:52 GMT

I paid almost $3000 to have ours installed about 10 years ago. Our windows and doors are armed. Plus we have a few motion detectors in the busy areas. At night, everything is armed and the pets are in their crates so they can't set it off. We have "part on" and "All on". Part on is for the perimeter, doors and windows. All on includes the motion detectors. Of I can turn the whole system off.

I set the system to make a sound if doors and windows are opened. We live in a small town and it's not unusual for someone to stop unannounced for a visit so I like knowing when someone's coming in. These sound notifications are always in use whether the system is armed or not but if I didn't like them, I can turn them off.

I have a "fob" that I can take outside the house on our property so if I get attacked or see something suspicious while I'm outside on our property I can set that off and the cops will be notified right away. Otherwise, when the alarm goes off the company calls me and if I don't give the code, they'll call the police.

Ours is $275 a year.

-Kalli

Re: Home security system questions?

makeup addict — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:04:49 GMT

I have Protect America. I did the installation myself. I paid 22.00 for shipping and 39.95 a month. I got rid of my landline and this was one if the first companies that offered service using cell towers; didn't need a landline. You can also buy accessories like key fob for quick entry. With a home security system, you do get a discount on your home owners insurance. They have different packages depending on if you want security with fire and carbon monied protection. Easy setup, you just call them up and input number in the control panel.