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
How is a Fire Sprinkler System Designed?
While fire sprinkler systems seem the same at first glance, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for all commercial properties. Depending on a structure’s needs and circumstances, fire sprinkler systems use different combinations of various components. The ideal design should accommodate the unique features of each industry, layout, and operation. Whether you’re looking to install a fire…
What is an Emergency Action Plan?
The purpose of an Emergency Action Plan is to inform employees of what actions they should take if an emergency occurs at work. It’s required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and it can be critical in preventing the loss of property, or lives, in a crisis. If an emergency alarm went off…
Types of Fire Suppression Systems
What is a Fire Suppression System? The goal of a fire suppression system, also known as a fixed extinguishing system, is simple, reduce the risk of a fire and extinguish it by using a substance. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a fire suppression system has detection tools that can sense the early…
Why Night Staff Should Have Fire Alarm Training
In the years that I traveled as a Sales Representative, I experienced many times when a fire alarm would go off throughout the night. As the hotel guests evacuated, I often found that the night staff didn’t know what to do. In almost every case, it was an accidental alarm, and in many cases, night…
Spring Cleaning Your Security System
The unofficial countdown to summer begins for many of us each year as we “spring forward” into daylight saving time, moving the clock forward one hour to give us an extra hour of sunlight at the end of every day. Since this is the time of the year when we change our clocks, it is important…
Will CCTV Work Without Internet?
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is a TV system where the signal isn’t publicly broadcast but is watched and monitored, usually for surveillance and security purposes. From city streets and highways to retail stores and banks, CCTV cameras are placed in most places to protect property and deter crime. Learn whether a commercial CCTV system can work…
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…
Types of Fire Alarm Systems
How Does a Fire Alarm Work? Fire alarm systems have two main functions: Alert the occupants of a building to a fire emergency enabling a safe evacuation Notify firefighters of the fire emergency. Options for Fire Alarms Manual Fire Alarms Manual fire alarms, also known as manual pull stations, are a way for people to alert…
How Landscaping Affects Your Security
Visibility When it comes to the landscaping around your home or business, there are several considerations to keep in mind that could affect your visibility and overall security. While some suggestions to increase visibility and reduce obstructions may seem obvious, others are more subtle and could have a considerable impact. Lighting Having adequate lighting around…
Can Video Surveillance Be Used In Court?
You should talk to a law enforcement professional in your area to know for sure what is admissible in your local court, but here are some general guidelines about criteria that law enforcement will take into consideration regarding your security camera video. Authenticity A digital watermark is undetectable to the human eye, but it can…