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Can anyone out there recommend home security systems/providers or a company I should stay away from?
Thanks.
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Can anyone out there recommend home security systems/providers or a company I should stay away from?
Thanks.
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Replies
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Daniel,
I'd suggest riding around your neighborhood and look for those little signs security companies like to post on the properties they are servicing. Talk to the homeowners. Check with your local police department for their recommendations. Locksmiths are another good source of security information. Look in the Yellow Pages under Security Consultants and pay for an analysis of your property. Security is more than just wiring the windows and doors with alarms (that may just give you a false sense of security - pun intended). With the increase in home invasions by gangs, security needs to start with proper lighting and passage-resistant plantings, breakage-resistant glazing may need to be considered for some areas, etc. Do you have a 'safe room'?
If you're gonna do it, do it right!
*Daniel-Don't know what area you're in, I live in the west suburbs of KC. As a professional handyman, I'm in a lot of customers homes and see a lot of systems. Can't make a recommendation on what to get, but, my customers have had a lot of problems with ADT systems. Seems that some of the installations are by sub-contractors, then the contract is sold to ADT. I''ve heard reports of sloppy installation, then, poor service after the sale, including slow response and poor communication. Several customers have had the systems removed, after frustrating responses from the company. I guess it would really pay to check references on any company you might select, including ADT, in your market. Recent customer installations and existing customer monitoring experiences would be something I'd check out. Good luck.
*BobI live on the east side (Blue Springs). I would not take an ADT system if they gave it to me. There marketing is sleazy and they have a number of "independent" sales companies that all use the same speal. One of them threatened me with legal action when I complained that they where ignoring the telemarketing laws.From what all I have heard is to separate out the alarm system from the monitoring. BUY the alarm system and use a UL approved montioring station. You can get the monitoring MUCH cheaper than the $30 a month that ADT wants with a "FREE" alarm system.
*Another to avoid is Protection One. -- J.S.
*Avoid Guardian. I used to sell for Rollins Protective Services.......check out your local....but they were one of the tops here. I'd avoid any of the cheapies.......if I know their "get in the door" special consists of a front door, back door, motion in the center hall.......don't ya think most burglars would have figured that out too! We sold both wireless and hardwired. Hardwired have slightly more false alarms....wireless ya gotta replace the batteries every decade or so......I'd choose wireless......but really not that much of a difference.....aside from the install. Go with a full perimeter system as the primary.....all first floor doors and windows. Second floor if they are easily accessible. Walk around the think like a burglar. Motions and glass breaks are secondary. A room with just lotsa plate glass.......or all casements.....can get by with glass breaks......hard to crack a casement w/o making alot of noise. Even then......an interior motion is a backup. The whole idea.......of perimeter vs interior motions........is you wanna know when they're at the outside of the house....and keep them outside......as opposed to a motion letting you know someone is already INSIDE the house! Run from any company offering way to low prices for a system......and locking you into a contract. If you get a 5 year contract....and you are unhappy because it takes them forever to service you......you are still locked into that contract.....and they could care less how unhappy you are........they already have your money! Consider a monitered system, and having the smokes tied into it. Good luck, let us know what you find in your area.......and Guardian(residential) sucks big time. Jeff
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Can anyone out there recommend home security systems/providers or a company I should stay away from?
Thanks.