Home security system questions?

Shorty2U · ‎03-09-2010

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!

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make~ The Beatles

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

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.

Elstongunn · ‎03-12-2010

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.

Money doesn't talk; it swears. --Bob Dylan

scotttie · ‎03-09-2010

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?

Preds · ‎12-17-2012

Answering the door with a large butcher knife and a barking dog help, too. ${#emotions_dlg.devil2}$ 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.

Fate whispers to her, "You cannot withstand the storm." She whispers back, "I am the storm."

Elstongunn · ‎03-12-2010

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.

Money doesn't talk; it swears. --Bob Dylan

scotttie · ‎03-09-2010

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!!

ROMARY · ‎04-28-2010

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.

'More or less', 'Right or wrong', 'In general', and 'Just thinking out loud ' (as usual).

KathyPet · ‎03-09-2010

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?

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

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!