Personal security is important and it’s time to make some positive steps in that direction, do you have the do-it-yourself skills to install a home alarm system?
You’ve decided you need a home alarm system and now you need to decide if this is a project you want to tackle on your own or with help from an equally skilled do-it-yourselfer. Or do you need to have a professional come in and do it for you? The manufacturers of home alarm equipment say this is a project that can be completed successfully if you have modest skills. What exactly does modest mean? And is this really worth your time?
Before you decide if you can or want to install a home alarm system on your own, there are things you need to consider.
Stand-Alone or Monitored
A stand alone system means that the alarm capabilities are solely contained within the house and any monitoring of the system is done by you and you alone. There is no company watching for alarms to go off in a monitoring center. It might autodial the fire department, but it has to initiate that call. Some home installed systems may allow you to monitor rooms that have cameras over the internet. You may be able to use your phone to check settings or alarms, but no one else has your back.
A monitored system on the other hand means that you have contracted with another company to monitor alarms at your house. What alarms they monitor depend on what you’ve contracted for. Are they monitoring break-ins only? Or are they watching for carbon monoxide levels and for fire? If you want a company to monitor your alarm system, check with them before you install a home alarm system. There may be specific requirements as to who can install and what equipment needs to be used.
Why Do It Yourself?
Why do we do anything ourselves? Really, would you spend all night putting together a bike for your kid for Christmas if you didn’t save $50 doing it? Home alarm systems can cost from about $100 to thousands of dollars. Labor costs to install a home alarm system can be the same or more than what the equipment costs to purchase. The biggest reason to do it yourself is to save about 50%.
Another reason to install it yourself is that once you’ve done it, you’ll know how it works, what the options are and how to use it. How many features does your cell phone have? How many do you use?
Intrusion Only or Intrusion with Fire Protection
The first option you need to decide on before you purchase a home alarm system is whether your system is focused only on intrusion protection or if you are going to install a combination home alarm that protects against fire.
Having a home alarm can possibly lower your home insurance premium. One website I read said that you had to have a combination alarm to do that. My recommendation is to call your insurance provider and find out what your policy requires. Are there different discounts for different types of alarms? Is the discount affected if you install it yourself? What proof does the insurance company require that you have a working system installed? Check before you buy, not after, and avoid any complications or missed discounts.
Wired or Wireless
Now decide if you want a hardwired or wireless home alarm system. Obviously a wireless system will be easier to install and less invasive on the house, but there are drawbacks. One of those drawbacks is getting false alarms that can be caused by other wireless signal sources. What other wireless sources? The interference could be as simple as a garage door opener or someone’s wireless internet connection.
On the other hand, a hardwired systems means you need to fish wire through floors and walls. This solution is more dependable, but is more labor intense and may not be possible. Especially if you don’t own the home but are renting.
Features
There are other considerations. Do you want a local alarm to sound if someone breaks in? Do you want the alarm and the system to dial the local fire department if the fire alarm goes off? If you want the authorities called, you need to make sure the system has some type of auto-dialer feature or you purchase the additional system for auto-dialing.
Some auto-dialers will call multiple numbers and allow you to program in different messages for different alarm reasons. The numbers will be called in order. Another great feature for the auto-dialer is a listen in function. This allows the receiver of the call to listen to what’s happening in your home after they’ve heard your programmed message.
There are all types of sensors to choose from. Motion sensors, hardwired sensors, glass-break monitors, ultrasound or infrared, there are even sensors that are pet friendly. This way if you have a pet, they won’t be tripping the alarms every time they jump up on the table.
You Can Do It
Last thoughts, do some reading. Make sure you research the equipment and think about your options and your circumstances. Many of you can probably install it yourself.