Who Owns ADT Alarm Systems After Install?
You’ve paid to have an alarm system installed in your home. Do you own the equipment? Most likely, but not yet if you contracted with a big-box home security company like ADT.
Payment Plans for Equipment
Most people sign up on special offers in which they will pay an installation fee for the equipment, but not the equipment itself. The equipment is paid for over time, as part of the monthly monitoring fees, and usually for a minimum of three years.
This arrangement can work out well if you know you’ll be in your current home for a long time and are 100 percent certain you will be happy with the monitoring services provided by the company with which you are contracting.
If you are renting a residence, intend to move within a few years, or want the flexibility of choosing the company that monitors your alarm system, this type of arrangement might not be the best option. You’ll be locked into a long-term contract that you will be required to fulfill, including monthly monitoring charges, and you won’t be able to take the alarm system equipment with you when you move. In this situation, you might want to consider purchasing your equipment. Your up-front cost will be higher, but your monthly costs will be lower, and it may well work out to be the better bargain in the long run.
Another downfall of package pricing can be the fact that you don’t get to choose the equipment you want. Most starter packages come with specific options, such as a control panel, alarm sound, and two entryway sensors. If you want to add additional equipment, such as window sensors or cameras, the monthly costs jump way up. Before locking into a long-term contract, you should price out the equipment separately and make sure you don’t end up overpaying. Also, make sure the monthly monitoring costs are fixed for the entire length of the contract. Many times, the introductory rate is only good for a short period and then a much higher rate kicks in.
A benefit of purchasing your equipment from the get-go is that you also get what you want. Not all sensors and cameras are made equally. You may be paying a premium price for equipment that’s not top-of-the-line or not the best fit for your lifestyle. With the enormous range of options and features available to homeowners today, it’s worth it to check out the options that are available rather than just assuming all home security system components are the same.
There are a lot of options to think about when choosing an alarm system – equipment options, monitoring, experience, contract length, convenience, usability and much more. Take the time to do your homework and compare several different providers.
Explore Our Other Blogs
DIY Security Systems
DIY home security systems have been on the market for years, offering homeowners the ability to order and install a simple-to-use system for their property. A DIY system often boasts cheap and easy security solutions for a home but are not the right fit for all homes. Cost-Benefits As with almost everything in life, cheaper isn’t…
Fire Safety for Kids
Setting up fire alarm systems and fire monitoring are fundamental elements in your home’s fire safety plan. However, that is only the beginning. Educating your children on fire prevention, fire safety, and how to manage an emergency are vital in keeping your family safe. According to the American Red Cross, not only are children under five…
What Kind of Certifications Make Our Team Security Experts?
At FSS Technologies, we pride ourselves on the fact that we are not your typical fire safety or security company. When people call us, they don’t want a one-size-fits-all solution — they want our experts to design a system that perfectly fits their needs. We take “First in Security, First in Satisfaction” seriously to ensure every…
How Security Cameras Work at Night
Security Camera Night Vision Light is crucial for a camera to work. Without light, the camera can’t see anything, so how do security cameras work at night? Infrared radiation (IR), or infrared light, is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is invisible to human eyes. It is essentially energy, a heat, that all objects emanate….
What to Do if Someone Breaks into Your House
Arriving home to find that your home has been burglarized is one of the worst feelings someone can have. You’re left feeling raw, vulnerable, and angry. In this time of high stress, it may be hard to put your thoughts together to remember everything that now needs to be done. We have put together a list…
Ins and Outs of Contract vs No Contract Security Systems
Many people see signing a long-term contract with a reputable alarm company as a stressful experience. In truth, contracts are in place to benefit both the alarm company and the homeowner. Developing a relationship and signing a long-term commitment to a security company allows you to get to know a team and benefit from the peace of mind that…
What Do Villages Require to Add a Security System?
What Is a Village? A village in the United States is defined as a small municipality with limited corporate powers. A village government usually consists of a village board made up of trustees and a village president. Village Building Codes Have Minimum Requirements Every village adopts its own building codes to establish minimum requirements for…
How Commercial Security Monitoring Benefits Your Business During Quarantine
Instating work from home policies to protect your employees and help to stop the potential spread of COVID-19 is one step that organizations are taking to keep their company safe. But, with all your employees at home, how can you protect the other assets that make up your business? Regardless of the type of company…
7 Tips For Small Business Security
We hope it never happens to you, but workplace crime is something that all business owners should be prepared to encounter. With one-third of our life spent at work, it is an important place to secure and monitor for your safety, and that of your employees. Luckily, there are many simple, proactive steps you can…
How to Maintain a Commercial Security System
Updated May 2023 With the latest advances in security technology, it’s becoming easier for small businesses to find a security system that works for their needs. Whether your business just installed your commercial security system or has been utilizing security measures for some time, proper maintenance will increase the life of your system and provide…