You know you need home security to protect yourself and your family. But how do you find the perfect security company for home protection?
Here are a few tips to consider in order to help you find the best home alarm company for your family.
Tips in Choosing Your Perfect Security Company
Ask for Licenses and Certifications
Make sure the company you are considering is licensed especially if your state requires alarm companies to be licensed. Furthermore, see if certified employees compose the alarm company’s personnel.
The Electronic Security Association certifies electronic security professionals. You’ll also want to check whether the technicians are employees of the company or independent contractors.
Rather than being people who are working for themselves, you will probably have more peace of mind knowing that the people installing your alarm system represent the company.
Check Reviews and Work History
With the resources available to you today via the internet, there’s no excuse for not looking up a security company and seeing what other people have to say about it.
See how long they have been in business and whether or not they have satisfied customers who have left reviews of their service online. For instance, from most reviews, Frontpoint Security offers one of the best work histories in the industry.
Avoid Vague Contracts & Agreements
Don’t get lured into signing an agreement that isn’t made for your best interests. Be aware of marketing gimmicks that promise free or low-cost services, but then raise fees or add on extra costs once you sign on.
Make sure that the rates you are being offered are unalterable for the contract agreement, or find out if they will grow and by how much.
Be mindful to the commitment length, automatic renewals, cancellation terms and capability to move services to another property when reviewing your contract.
Find Out About Warranties
See what kind of warranty the company offers on its equipment, and find out if installing the equipment yourself affects the warranty.
Quality Service and Vast Knowledge
How quickly will the provider be able to offer support and maintenance should something go wrong with your security system?
Make sure that all services are spelled out in writing with repercussions to expect if the provider fails to deliver, and evaluate the company’s service level agreements to make sure your home won’t go unarmed for long.
Moreover, although these costs aren’t automatically a part of your monthly bill, it is best to look into the fees associated with on-site visits and ongoing maintenance.
When distinguishing prices among different security providers, be extra mindful of these costs. Also, opt for the provider that offers customized, knowledgeable support.
See the Range of Services and the Level of Equipment
Your security system is reliable only if the technology that goes with it is also top of the line. Consequently, it is best to choose a security company that works with well-known and trusted manufacturers.
Today’s home security systems are quite advanced. They can include high-quality video cameras and wireless technology that allows you to control the entire system from your smartphone or other digital devices.
The ideal home security monitoring company you find should have a system in place for verifying your alarm has been tripped and notifying the authorities within a manner of minutes.
Opt also for a cellular system over a wired one when evaluating technologies. To transmit emergency signals, these systems don’t rely on your telephone line—which burglars frequently just cut. Thus, making them more reliable.
If you prefer to use a landline, backup your system with wireless technology.
While you may have modest needs when it comes to home security, you will usually find the best alarm system company available to you can offer a lot of services.
From monitored smart alarm systems to smoke alarm systems and medical alert systems and features like panic buttons and fire-suppression sprinklers, it is best if the company you favor has them all.
The monitoring station, not the police, is immediately notified when your security alarm goes off. If an actual threat is present, the station then contacts fire and police officials to respond to the emergency call.
Always communicate with the security company and know what disaster and backup recovery plan they have in place in addition to having personnel on hand around-the-clock.
Even if there are power outages or telephone service interruptions, solid security providers can guarantee uptime.
Takeaway
There are dozens of home security providers on the market, all vying for your patronage.
When evaluating your options, it’s easy to just go with the lowest-price point; however, that decision may not always be in your best interest.
When vetting security vendors, it is wise to consider important criteria to guarantee you’re safe and satisfied in the end.
Author’s Bio
Tyler Pack is a real estate consultant and journalist, with a passion for smart homes technology. He is keen on writing about home and property security, and cybersecurity.
