A home security system is a great way to give yourself the peace of mind of knowing that your property and most importantly your family is protected. To be clear, we are talking about security systems, and a burglar alarm is not a security system. A real security system is a big investment, so you want to make sure that you are selecting the right one for your property and your family. When choosing your home security system there are a number of things to consider that will help you to make the right selection.

DIY Installation or PRO Installation

If you decide to go for a DIY set up, then you have full control over the number and placement of all the sensors. You’ll also save a bit of money as you won’t have to pay for the installation. Generally, it’s not too hard to set up your own system as the kits are wireless and if you get stuck you can always call the company help line. Typically, it’ll take a couple of hours to be up and running. If you are looking to save a bit of money, then you can look for a DIY system.

With a system installed by a professional locksmith you do have to pay an installation fee. For this cost though you do get to sit back and know that the sensors are going to be placed to maximum effect. You have the expertise of the professional to ensure that everything is going to work. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions face to face and get some knowledgeable answers. Installation can take anywhere from a few hours to half a day, so you will need to plan this in. If you are really looking for peace of mind, then going with a professional locksmith is probably the best choice.

Monitoring

Home security systems are continuously monitored so that you can be alerted as soon as there is problem. There three different monitoring systems available and they are not all secure. Your options are landline, broadband or mobile monitoring.

  • Landline monitoring

Landline monitoring systems rely on using you phone line. They need to be connected to the landline at all times because this is how they signal that there is a problem. This is the old-school method of monitoring a home security system and frankly it’s outdated. It is still the cheapest option going, but that’s because it is inherently insecure. All it takes is a single cut wire and your system is rendered useless. The only situations in which you would really want to consider using a landline-based system is if you live somewhere without access to broadband and where the mobile reception is spotty, but otherwise you would be best of steering well clear.

  • Broadband systems

Broadband systems are faster than landline systems so any issues will be flagged up much quicker making them a much better choice. If you go for a broadband based system you also have the option to include some Internet of Things type item at the same time, you can link up a whole range of systems that you can control automatically. For instance you can control lights and curtains from anywhere. The thing to be aware of if you choose to go with a broadband based system is that if the internet goes down then so will your security system. If you are concerned about this you can pay a little extra to have a landline back up system as well. Really this comes down to the question of how good your internet connection is. If it’s reliable then no worries.

  • Cellular monitoring

The most secure option is to have cellular monitoring. This means that your home security system is connected to a mobile phone network. This makes it very hard to tamper with because there is no wire that can just be cut. It is in continuous communication with the security center and response times are much faster as a result. For security this really is your best option, which is why it is more expensive but this is a case of you get what you pay for, and when it’s about the security of your home, it’s worth it. The only reason to not go with a cellular connection is if the mobile signal where you live is very poor.

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Do you want a SMART home security system?

As mentioned earlier if you have a security system that is internet enabled, so runs through either broadband or cellular systems then you have the option to integrate it with other SMART systems in your home. If you have Nest, or Alexa for example, there are some home security systems that will integrate into these systems.  Some security systems will offer this along with a wide range of upgrades for your home as part of their installation service. This will of course increase the price though.

Even if you don’t want to go for the full on SMART house experience there might be some extras that are offered that would be worth looking into. These include things like fire alarms and carbon monoxide sensors. Both of these options are often well worth the small extra cost and can give you real peace of mind that you house is truly secure.

Additional sensors

Optional extras that will be very much dependent on where you live are items like motion sensors, security cameras and asset protection devices. If you have a large number of ground floor entry points such as large windows and patio doors then a motion sensor can be a sensible choice. If you live in an apartment on the second floor or higher for instance then a motion sensor is an unnecessary extra cost. Security cameras can be useful if you are concerned about intruders. If you are often away from your home for long periods you can install solar powered security cameras that you can check up on from anywhere giving you that peace of mind when you check up on everything. If you have a number of high value items such as works of art or a valuables safe, then an asset alarm will allow you to monitor if these items have been tampered with as you might expect prior to a theft. Even if you can’t see any evidence of tampering, the alarm will let you know when the item was moved.

Contract

Some companies will offer a long term contract along with a nice low price. This can be tempting for sure. However, before you get caught up in the saving take the time to consider your future. If you are planning to move within the contract period it could ultimately end up being very expensive.  You should either find a company that will allow short term contract of around a year. Or, check how much the transfer fee is. These fees vary wildly from company to company so it is worth checking before you settle on a provider.

Selecting the Provider

Before you settle on a provider just based on the cost and the services they offer, try contacting their call centers. You want to know that the company you choose to protect your home are people who share your values and will be responsive. A quick chat about what you need and are looking for will often give you some valuable insight into which company you will be comfortable with. It is also worth having a look at what other customers say about each company.

Choosing a provider is a big decision. Take your time over it. Talk to other people about who they use. Make sure that you are choosing for the right reasons because you’ll be trusting your safety to these people.

Consult an expert

Once you’ve thought about all of these factors then you are in a good position to begin looking for the home security system that suits your home and lifestyle needs. A great first step is to talk to some professionals about the services they provide. Talking to a professional locksmith can help you get some unbiased advice and they will even be able to help you with installation as well, after all security is their business. If you want to investigate your best choices for a truly secure home security system, then why not go to prolocksmiths-247.com today. They’ll give you the advice and guidance that you need.