Comparing Home Security Equipment
Comparing the best home security equipment is based on multiple factors. Price and personal requirements form the basis of the same.
Costs & Prices
There are three different costs you need to consider before investing in the right equipment for your home.
Cost of the equipment
The first thing you need to consider is the cost of your equipment. Equipment cost can vary based on the kind of equipment you choose. For example, hardwired equipment can cost anywhere from $700 and go up to $1,800; while wireless equipment can cost you as low as $50.
Cost of additions
While a basic home security system can cost you an average of $600, the price for the system can be increased as per the additional features you add to the same. For example, a smoke detector addition can increase the price by almost $60 in some cases. If you are looking to add a panic button, the price can increase by over $30.
Cost of Installation
The average cost of installation of any home security system is $500. The installation cost will vary from person to person, household to household, depending on the requirements, specifications, and size of the house. If you opt for extensive equipment and take some extra time to install, the cost will naturally increase. The same happens if you want to add extra components like a siren and alarm system or even an atmospheric sensor to your security system.
Cost of monitoring
If you have children or pets at home and are looking for 24/7 surveillance by authorities, the prices will increase. Trained professionals can be hired to monitor your home from their monitoring center. In cases of burglary and mishaps, authorities will be alerted with just a press of a button, and help shall be sent your way. The cost of getting your security system and home monitored by professional authorities can go up to $60.
Other factors
There are 4 additional factors based on which you can determine the best home security system for you and your family.
1. Reviews
Home security systems are continuously brought under scrutiny since they are the primary source of defense for millions of homes in the US. You can start by checking out the ratings and reviews for all equipment available to determine the best for your home.
Check out reviews that are unbiased and give you all the information, along with all pros and cons of a particular system. Reviews that only talk about the pros and persuade you to invest in a particular home security system should not be trusted. On the other hand, reviews that talk about things you might not even think about or wouldn’t consider at first should be trusted! Those are the reviews that will actually help you determine the best security system for you and your loved ones.
Checking out trusted sources for your home security equipment purchasing is essential since all the homework is done for you. Just go through and understand what will work best for you.
2. Warranties
While researching home security systems for your requirements, checking out the best companies that offer value on warranties is also a great idea! Don’t fall for the false advertisement claims that state a “money-back guarantee.” Read between the lines, understand all the fine print carefully, and look out for all the coverages and warranties you will be getting upon purchasing a home security system.
On average, warranties on some of the best home security products can range anywhere from a month to three months from the date of purchase.
Other things that you need to be aware of when it comes to warranties on home security systems are extended warranties, whether or not your desired system comes with one. Understand the extra cost of this warranty and whether it is worth it. If it sounds too good to be true, tread away quietly.
Some home security systems offer you free periodic inspections for a few years as a part of your warranty, while others offer free battery replacements.
Check out everything before you finally invest in a home security system.
3. Features
All home security companies come with their own set of pros and cons. There are, however, a few features that you should consider before purchasing the right one for the safety of your family.
Ensure that your home security system has a loud enough alarm, pet-friendly motion sensor (if you have pets), a tamper-sensitive panel, panic buttons, entryway sensors, and medical alerts. These fundamental features must be a part of every home’s security system.
Other features that you should consider for your home security system include:
- Glass breakage sensors
- Security cameras
- Home automation
- Water leak sensors
- Heat detection
- Atmospheric and smoke detection
- Biometric voice control
An ideal home security system must have these features embedded in it to keep you and your family safe and secure. Cover all grounds for the safety of your loved ones with these features and some more.
4. Availability
Another great way to determine which home security company is the right choice for you is their proximity to you. Having a good home security service provider near your home is a great way to get better services. You can always have a professional answer all your queries and concerns at the earliest and get assistance quickly in time of emergency.
Look for options that are nearest to your home. Make an educated decision based on not just the features and reviews but also their distance from you! You do not want to have a system for your home in New York while your security company is located in Texas. In cases of emergencies, it will have grave implications for you and your loved ones.
