With so many choices, it can be quite difficult and stressful in selecting the right security provider. You may have asked yourself, “Who is this company, I’ve never heard of them before?” or “There are really bad reviews on the internet about this company, so how do I know I can trust them?” or you might have even had a representative out to your home to give an estimate and have thought “This is just another sales person who is after a sale and not my best interest.” I know we have all felt that way at some point in our life but don’t worry because there truly are some professional security providers out there, that are concerned about providing you with excellent service and protection. So here are some key factors to consider when making the important decision of securing your home and family that will make your buying decision much easier.
Years in Business
This key factor guides you in assuring that the company in question has been in business long enough to stay in business. Why is this important? Many local home alarm companies build their subscriber base only to sell it to a larger company after a very short period of time. This usually ends well for the owner of the local company but bad for the consumers who are now under a new contract. A new contract under a new company, mind you that may increase your monthly charges or add a few more years to your existing agreement. All of this is legal of course in the fine print of your contract, but was never revealed to you. Choosing a company that has been well established in the community will lead to fewer surprises during the term of your monitoring service.
Do a personal survey
Simply take a look around your neighborhood, or on your way to work. Ask yourself “Have I ever seen this company in someone else’s home through a yard sign or a sticker on a business’s door? What major corporations does the security provider help protect? How about the employees scheduled to visit your home, are they licensed, insured, and background checked? Many smaller independent companies use sub-contractors to install the security system in a home, are they insured in case they break something or cause damage to your home? It is important to know whether the person installing your system is a sub contractor or employee of the company. It’s your safety and it begins from the moment you open the door.
Monitoring Center
Since all companies offer monitoring services it’s important to note where the monitoring centers are located and how reliable the service is. The reason you need to be concerned about the location is due to the fact that natural disasters do occur. If the monitoring center is located in a state or city that is known for its extreme weather conditions it is only natural to assume that the staff, hired to route emergency calls to the appropriate authorities, will need to evacuate the facility. So who will handle the emergency calls as they come in? Most companies claim 24 hour protection, but really how is that done with only one monitoring facility? ADT Security Services offers 5 monitoring centers located nationwide. In the event of an emergency all calls are rerouted to the nearest facility assuring that not one emergency is left unattended.
Price Comparison
Which company offers the best service at the best price and with the lowest installation costs? Well I say we do, but every company has its strengths and weakness. Some Security providers offer lower monthly rates at higher cost of installation. Others only offer a limited amount of equipment for free before they start to increase the cost of parts and labor. We recommend comparing 3 companies and making a decision based on what fits your needs and budget. Make sure that the costs of the equipment include installation and that you have everything in writing before you sign on the dotted line. Also make sure you own the equipment and that you are not signing a lease.
Warranty
More than likely a monitoring agreement is usually signed for more than the term of a year. It would be a great idea to make sure you have warranty on parts and labor for as long as you are a paying customer. It is extremely unpleasant to have to pay for repairs to a system installed in your home. Most reputable companies offer a warranty. Check the fine print to see what it entails.
