If you have already installed a sophisticated security system, be it wireless, or wired, you may feel more secured. However, the journey to unparalleled home security is yet to be over. You need a monitoring service, to ensure that your home is under surveillance at all times.  Although, some homeowners opt for self-monitoring, if you have a busy schedule or a business, you certainly do not want to channel all your energy into your system. It is best to hire a home security alarm monitoring company. This way you can concentrate on your work, while the company takes over your security system.

Factors to consider when choosing a monitoring service provider

•    Determine how much you can afford – It is important to have a budget in mind, when you are shopping for a monitoring service.  The service is charged and the rates will vary depending on the kind of security system you have.  Usually, every month you will have to part with a certain amount of money as a subscription. Hence, before you set out to the market, assess how much you can afford.

•    Contact a number of monitoring companies for quotes- These will help you in determining the most suitable and cost effective package for your case. It is impossible and time involving, if you have to call hundreds of firms to get the best home security alarm monitoring company.  Get a list of a few companies, from the state alarm association.  Quotes from three companies, will be perfect. From the three providers, request for references.

•    For each of the three companies, assess their efficiency and reliability, get to know how their monitoring centers work and allow them to visit your home to determine the best security system for your property.

•    Contact a business bureau about the performance of the three monitoring companies.  Inquire whether there are any complaints, which have been lodged against the firms. This will tell you whether you should continue looking.

•    Find information about service plans, warranties, contract length, maintenance agreements, alarm response times, and other contract details.

•    Request for a demonstration of their monitoring equipments from each, home security alarm monitoring company. This will give you an idea, whether the system will offer the security you want in your home.

•    Negotiate with them, whether it is possible to tailor the alarm system to your individual needs. This way, you will be able to get only what you need and in the end, save cost.  It would also be wise to look out for those willing to give discounted offers on your monthly fee.

With the many monitoring companies in the market today, you might wonder where to start your search for the right home security alarm monitoring company. However, if you follow the above guide, this may stop feeling like a wild goose egg chase.  Finding a good company is an important step of achieving improved home security.

Every homeowner wants to have the best security system in place. Unscrupulous manufacturers see this as an opportunity to sell faulty systems.  Especially during summer and winter seasons, salespersons are sent in vast numbers to conduct door-to-door sales.  Using their sales and marketing skills, they are able to coax homeowners into buying the systems, which in most cases they are counterfeits.  They are likely to overcharge you on different systems, which may be substandard.  To avoid being a victim of home security systems scams, determine their credibility.

Signs of a potential home security scam

Salespeople, who are out there to make some money out of unsuspecting homeowners, use a number of approaches to get them buying their products.  Here are some signs you may be led into home security systems scams:
 
1.    The salesperson, gives you an ultimatum that you must act now or never. For instance, the sales agent may try to get you into signing a contractual agreement, saying that the equipment or device is free. In most cases, such contracts are for entering you into long term and pricey monitoring agreement.

2.    They may refuse to leave your home, until you bulge in.  It might seem impolite, to show no interest into what they are trying to say, but it is a better way than allowing them in and looking for ways to send them out. If the salesperson refuses to leave, then it is wise to call the local police. Sometimes, burglars come in the guise of salespeople.  Unless, it is very necessary consider buying home security systems from online sites or visiting the local providers.

3.    The sales agents may also scare you about certain reported cases of burglaries in your neighborhood. This is only meant to make you feel vulnerable and buy their products.

4.    If you have a notice, displaying that you have security systems with a certain company, salespeople may come in the name of the company. They are likely to tell you that they are there to replace or upgrade your existing home security system, after which they will install their own and make you sign a monitoring contract.

5.    Some will go to the lengths of claiming that your current security company is no longer in operation. Usually, they will tell you that they have taken over the business and you have to sign some new papers. In this case, do not sign the documents, before you contact the company, to ascertain that what the sales agent is saying is the truth. Furthermore, if your provider were to make such as a drastic move, they would certainly notify you.

6.    Last but not the least, before you enter into an agreement with a salesperson selling a home security system, ask for the following information:

•    The name of the company
•    Physical address
•    Telephone number
•    Contractor’s license number
•    The state which issued the license
•    The name under which the license was issued

If you note that they are reluctant to give this information, it is a sign, they are scammers. Home security systems scams have become rampant. Surprisingly, of all the reported cases, a good percentage is made by door-to-door sales people.  Ensure to use the above tips, if faced with such as a scenario.

With the rampant cases of home burglaries, you may be wondering what to do to jump start your security status. You have a patrol dog already and a fully established alarm system. Research depict that most burglars enter homes through the back or the front door. Hence, if you want to keep thieves away from your property, then you must employ burglarproof home security doors.  Here is how you can prevent your doors from being susceptible to break-in:

1.    You need to assess whether you have the right door. By a right door, it simply means you need a door that will not bulge easily to any pressure.  Hence, doors, which comprise of sheets of veneer, sandwiching a cardboard should not be installed at your entrances. Preferably, a back or front door should be made of solid materials such as wood, metal, and fiberglass. If you install one of these sturdy doors, burglars will have a hard time trying to break in.

2.    If you are planning to install or remodel your security doors, consider investing in a fiberglass door, which swings outwards instead of inwards. Remember also to install hinges. When a door opens outwards, it helps a great deal in cases of forced entry.

3.    Replace all doors on the exterior, which have windows. In addition, do not place a window so near to the door, since burglars can easily access the door. Hence, if you have sliding doors or glass panels consider putting a security grill on the outside. This is the only way of achieving burglarproof home security doors.

If you have installed an alarm system, as part of your home security, there is a need for regular monitoring. Either you can choose to DIY, or you can engage professional services.  It may seem cheaper and convenient to handle the system on your own, but it is safer to leave it in the hands of the experts.  However, whether to go with self or professional home security alarm monitoring, is a matter of personal preference. Let’s assess the two options and by the end of the argument, you will have known what to choose.

Self-monitoring

By monitoring the alarm system on yourself, it means you are in full control of the system and incidences of interferences are minimal. You can know the status of your system, right from your phone or the computer. It is also allowable to set the system to contact your cell phone number in case of an emergency. In addition, using the system, you can know what is going on at home, when you are out working or shopping. If you have kids who get home from school, earlier than you do, it would be comforting to watch them, from your work desk. Once the alarm is triggered, you can receive alerts inform of text or email. The alerts will include information about where the device has been triggered in. The alarm system you select may have these features, primarily, or you can install them afterwards. Self-monitoring has some drawbacks too. For instance, if thugs invade your home and force you to deactivate the alarm system, you will nobody coming to your rescue.

Professional alarm monitoring

On the other hand, professional monitoring exposes you to features, which are not present in most self- monitored systems. To begin with, it has the ability of alerting the monitoring company, any time there is an emergency in your home. It also allows you to set a distress code, which notifies the monitoring service center that you are in need of assistance, without activating the alarm system.  This essential feature may help solve the quagmire of either choosing self or professional home security alarm monitoring.

Strength of professional monitoring is the fact that it responds instantly, just what you need to ensure maximum security and safety. Just as in self-monitored alarm systems, the professional monitored versions, allow you to receive alerts from any place you might be via your phone. It is also possible to receive video feeds from IP enabled cameras in your home. However, the systems attract some monthly charges, although some companies offer discounts.

The decision of whether to use self or professional home security alarm monitoring, depends on the control you want for your system and the magnitude of security you want for your home. For enhanced security, it is best if you choose an external company to monitor your alarm systems, whereas where you do not want to expose your systems to the Internet or hackers, it will be better if you monitored the system yourself.

With hundreds of companies in the market, all-claiming to be the best home security provider, it might feel overwhelming to select one.  However, it can be easier if you use the right channels.  There are certain things; you should look for in a security company, to ensure you get the most out of your home security investment.   All you need is time and patience, since you will have to do some research, so that you get best provider there is.  Here are some of the factors that should guide your search for a home security firm:

Do your own research

The Internet has vast resources on various home security providers. It will also enlighten you on what to look for when selecting a home security provider.  The more information you can get the better for you.  During this period, do not let anybody coax you into signing a contract, unless you are convinced they have what you are looking for. Use comparison websites, to make your work easier. These sites help you to trim the list of the companies available for hiring.

Assess their skills and expertise

Depending on the kind of home security system you are installing, you need the right man for the job.  From the initial list, get at least three and concentrate your research on them. Evaluate whether they have the appropriate knowledge base. Remember security for your home is of utmost importance; it has to be entrusted to people who have the know how, to manipulate the systems and solve any arising anomalies.

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