Many people are interested in buying home security systems. But what is the best option for you? There are a few different options that we will explore below, as well as the pros and cons of each to help you make your decision.
The DIY system may be better for those who want to save money on installation fees and other costs, but it does require a little bit of technical know-how to install. There are, however, many companies such as SimpliSafe, Ring, and Nest that offer products that are easy to use and come ready to go. You could also consider hiring someone to do it on an app like TaskRabbit.
If this isn’t something that you feel confident doing yourself or hiring someone to do for you, then a DIY system might not be the best choice for you. These systems also don’t offer any kind of monitoring or alerts if there is an issue with your system. What this means is that if you are not by your mobile devices, you will likely miss out on getting alerts and having the ability to see what’s going on at your home in the case of an emergency. If a medical emergency happens and you are alone, there may also be no way of calling for help.
On the other hand, traditional alarm systems can include monitoring and alerts, and they do come with installation fees which typically means that there will be a higher upfront cost than that of a DIY alarm system. While this is an added cost, companies like ADT and Vivint offer highly professional individuals who set up your system, show you how to use it, and come back to ensure that you know what’s going on at all times. But, it is worth noting that these professional installations typically require alterations to be made to your home. If you rent a home or apartment, your landlord may not allow this type of adjustment to be made.
In addition to added system reliability, another added benefit is that you can link your system to other devices, such as lights or locks. These systems are also able to be configured with smart home applications such as Google, Amazon, and other technology. This allows you even more control over what’s going on at home while you are away and it also provides a more integrated solution for the safety of all family members.
The best part about traditional home security plans is that they almost always offer professional monitoring, which means that not only will you get emergency alerts if something is going wrong, but there will be someone on the other end to contact the police or fire department in case you can’t respond right away. If you are alone in the event of a medical emergency, this may be the difference between life and death.
All of these features do come at an added cost, though. ADT, for example, starts at over $30 per month, which is more than double some DIY plans like SimpliSafe. For many, this is a worthwhile price to pay for the reliability and peace of mind that comes with a professional home security system but for others, it is an unnecessary cost.
If you are a beginner to home security and are looking to compare different types of systems, learn more at: https://www.home-security.com
