Best (and budget) home security system?

[Dakota731]

After a few attempted break-ins in our area, I 'm biting the bullet. Any experiences you'd care to share?

 

[Ranger111]

A rottweiler. Hey, it worked for me, seriously!

But, I understand that not all want to go that route. First, most of the alarm companies make little or no money on installation. Indeed, many of them install the system for free.

They make cash on their own, overpriced, monitoring, which you are forced to buy via a two-year contract. Usually at a cost upwards of $50 per month or more.

You can install your own system. bit of a pain, but possible. You can also, most likely find some system that some firm will install for a reasonable price -- rather than "free" and then charge a reasonable monitoring fee.

Now, you don't have to have a system monitored. If you DIY the install, you can just have alarm sirens and flashing lights, no monitoring. Radio Shack used to sell a decent kit. I am sure you can find them around.

Or, you can do what I did, way back before the rottweiler. I got some "Protected by XXXX Security, 24-hour monitoring/armed response" and placed them around the house and drive. I had NO alarm system.

You can buy such signs on the Web.

Finally, this is exactly an issue that Consumer Reports writes about periodically. I would go to the local library and ask the people there how to look it up....or.....if your library is like mine, you can actually access all back (and current) issues via your home computer. IIRC, last time I read one of their reviews, they went through the whole thing. DIY, alarm companies, signs, alternatives to alarms (dogs), etc.

 

[supersnoop]

A fake sign in the front yard will make the most difference. And turn on your porch light.

 

[AquaDame]

We went with Simplisafe - $25 a month but you do have to buy the system and set it up yourself. We like that it is internet connected so I can arm it from my phone if I forget to set it. They have been good about calling us when it is set off so we can avoid a charge if it is a false alarm but if you miss the call it will cost you since the police then come immediately. I am sure you can waive that if you would rather them have an immediate response (it saved our butt since the 'pet friendly' sensor was kicked off the first weekend we left the cats home alone... not doing that again!). We have replaced one sensor under warranty without any issues.

 

[tvguy]

Nothing that I am aware of will prevent an attempted break in. A loud alarm or loud dog will scare off someone who attempts to break in. Around here, if you are home and you suspect your home is being broken into, you will be a police response.
An alarm on an unoccupied home will not, it's a priority zero call. Now, if your alarm does not reset, you may get a visit about the noise eventually, and a fine.

 

[afan]

I've had Vivint for a long time. They have good customer service. It's 40 a month. I have a smoke detector as well. Any time it's gone off or the alarm they always call me first and see if they need to call and have emergency respond. Luckily I never needed that, but they were always prompt with their calls.
The city I'm in has a false alarm thing so you have to register that you have an alarm with the city and then if they go out to a false alarm they'll fine you. I think you get one freebie though.

 

[si-am]

Another vote for Simpli Safe. It was easy to set up, and we've had a few false alarms (our own fault) with prompt response. Our cats have never set off the motion sensor while we're away, so that's another plus.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

Another vote for Simpli Safe. It was easy to set up, and we've had a few false alarms (our own fault) with prompt response. Our cats have never set off the motion sensor while we're away, so that's another plus.

This. Setup in about 90 minutes, no holes in the wall, monitoring is not outrageously expensive, we can add additional sensors as needed, and prompt response.

 

[mommyk8]

We have Vector. It was about $400-500 up front and then 45 a month with 2 year contract

 

[Pooh2]

We went with Simplisafe as well. Our subscription is $14.99/month for monitoring service with no contract. The only time the dispatcher called us was when a deflated balloon set off the motion sensor. It was easy to install and customize for your needs.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We are with a small local company and just pay $19.95/month. Our alarm was already in the house when we moved in, so I don't know what the installation cost the previous owners.

 

[aprilgail]

I've had Vivint for a long time. They have good customer service. It's 40 a month. I have a smoke detector as well. Any time it's gone off or the alarm they always call me first and see if they need to call and have emergency respond. Luckily I never needed that, but they were always prompt with their calls.
The city I'm in has a false alarm thing so you have to register that you have an alarm with the city and then if they go out to a false alarm they'll fine you. I think you get one freebie though.

That is who I have too and am very satisfied. When my original contract was up I called them and gave them the "is my contract up? I am going to check around to other companies" speech. Well they knocked 5 dollars a month off my bill, came and installed motion detectors in my basement where I previously had not wanted them and also upgraded me to premier customer. So with this premier customer thing if a battery in one of the sensors goes dead instead of me having to buy one and change it on my own I call them and they come that same day to replace the batteries- very simple!