Why Cheaper Isn’t Better When It Comes to Security
What is DIY Security?
The development of home security technology using wireless transmission connections and battery power has made it possible for DIY options to enter the home security market. One of the biggest misconceptions about DIY home security is that it is so easy that a person with absolutely zero background on audiovisual equipment can do it.
Prior Experience Matters
It’s important to think about a home security project like any other DIY home improvement project you might consider:
- Would you feel confident enough to remove the tile in your bathroom and install new flooring if you have never done it before?
- Would you rip out your kitchen cabinets and install new ones?
- How about constructing a new deck on the back of your home?
If you or a helpful friend have previous construction experience, then you may feel quite confident about pursuing these tasks.
The Risks of Doing-It-Yourself
If you don’t have construction knowledge, then you probably wouldn’t take on the projects above without professional assistance. They are too large of an investment in time, materials, safety, and the future equity of your home to risk starting the project and not finishing it or finishing it and hating the final product.
The same goes for a home security improvement project. If you don’t have any experience installing and operating audiovisual equipment, or anyone with the expertise to help you, installing a quality, effective home security system may turn out to be a much bigger ordeal than you anticipated.
Consult with an Expert
Before you jump in headfirst and purchase a DIY system, it’s worth the time to talk to a professional security company in your area. Local security companies are NOT like national corporations. These corporations might advertise a super low price on equipment, upsell you on more equipment that you may need, and then lock you into years-long monitoring contracts.
A reputable local security professional will offer numerous home security components from a wide variety of manufacturers. Local security professionals are trained and certified to install the equipment they represent. The equipment meets all NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) standards, offering the highest level of protection from exploitation and hacking.
It’s worth taking time to speak with an expert and get an estimate. You may be surprised at the wide variety of options that are available to you from a local home security company.
Explore Our Other Blogs
What is the Difference Between Dome Cameras and Bullet Cameras?
Security cameras are an integral part of a security system in any home or business. They give you access to a video stream of what is happening inside a building or on your property while also giving the owner the ability to look back on footage if necessary. There are many different types of CCTV cameras out…
ADT Home Security Settlement
ADT home security is facing a class-action lawsuit. The plaintiffs allege that ADT failed to disclose wireless sensors’ vulnerability to evasion and jamming. Why should you care? Although this settlement is for ADT, this is a vulnerability all wireless security systems face. Let’s talk about wireless technology for a second. All home Wi-Fi networks are…
How Often Should You Check Your Smoke Detectors?
Fire Alarm Testing Whether your fire alarm is protecting your home or a commercial facility, regular testing of your fire alarm system is critical to ensure it is working correctly. This test guarantees that everyone occupying the home or office understands what to do when the fire alarm sounds, gives you a chance to check…
What Are Fire Alarm System Zones?
Fire alarm zones are standard in conventional fire panels. Each zone represents a different area in the building to help firefighters and professionals pinpoint the source of an alarm. However, it can be confusing to research fire alarm zones because they are not as common as they once were. Conventional and addressable systems handle communication for fire…
Wired vs. Wireless Security Cameras
Wired or Wireless? When we talk about wired versus wireless in-home security, it has little to do with whether a piece of equipment has physical wires attached to it. The terms wired and wireless refer to the communication signal that is transmitted from one piece of security equipment to another. For a security system to…
Where Should Smoke Detectors Be Placed?
Smoke Detector Placement Fire can spread extremely fast. In just minutes, a building can be fully engulfed in flames. Smoke detectors are critical to give people inside homes and commercial buildings early warnings so they have time to get out. Proper smoke detector placement is also key when it comes to keeping your home or business safe. Residential Smoke Detector Placements At a minimum, The National Fire Protection…
Is the Use of CCTV Cameras in the Workplace Illegal?
Know the Law Business owners are responsible for the security and well-being of their employees and company property. Many companies use technology such as cameras, motion detectors, and other tools to keep an eye on their building or cash areas. Many new businesses and employees may be wondering: Are CCTV cameras illegal in the workplace? Let’s…
Types of Fire Suppression Systems
Fire suppression is one of the most important layers in a commercial building’s life safety plan because it is designed to control a hazard early, often before conditions spread beyond the point where occupants or staff can safely intervene. That matters for more than just damage control—it affects potential interruptions, compliance issues, and emergency performance….
Can You Get in Trouble for Breaking into Your Own House?
Is it legal for you to break into your own house? Yes, you can get in trouble for breaking into your own house—at least temporarily. If the police are notified that there is a break-in at a residence, either by a neighbor or a security alarm, they can detain or arrest you until you can…
Alarm Monitoring Services: How They Work
An ear-piercing siren and flashing strobe lights create an immediate sense of emergency and indicate an alarm of some sort has been triggered. Now that the alarm has been triggered and the warning sirens have sounded, what happens next? If you have a monitored security system, it won’t just be the neighbors or passerby alerted to…