Questions to help determine the best home security solution

5 Questions to Ask Your Home Security Company

June 22, 2020 by Anas Mustafa

Many people assume that burglars are professional criminals who find a target, study your movement, and then plan when to strike. However, in reality, the typical burglar is usually an opportunistic person looking to make a quick profit without getting caught.

They want an easy way to get into your home and leave without being disturbed or seen. Once the first successful burglary occurs, studies show that thieves are likely to strike again within a short amount of time unless you stop them.

Modern home security systems provide all kinds of solutions to help deter burglars from breaking into your home. With their range of security features, from surveillance cameras to door and window sensors to home monitoring, you can substantially reduce the risk of burglars targeting your home, thus keeping your loved ones and valuables safe.

But before you proceed with signing a home security contract, there are a few important questions you should ask to ensure you’re getting the most value for your investment.

Perhaps you:

Recently moved into a new neighbourhood
Want to increase the number of people accessing your home
Are concerned about security or crime in your area
Are concerned about your children staying at home alone
Want to reduce your cost of the homeowner’s insurance

Whatever your reasons, these questions will help you determine the best home security solution for your needs:

1. What security product is ideal for my home?

Every home has different security needs depending on a variety of factors. This could include the security threats in the area, the number of people in your household, whether you travel a lot, if it’s a vacation home, the number of floors, and so on. The first thing you should do before purchasing a security product is to ask the professionals to recommend a complete home security system for your specific home and needs.

With their experience and industry knowledge, security professionals can recommend the ideal system that will give you peace of mind. For example, you’re alerted whenever your children arrive home from school, or the person walking your dog returns, or even when a package is delivered. Every family has its unique requirements, and getting a security plan that is tailored to those needs will give you the best value for your investment.

2. How will this product protect my home from break-ins?

First, you should keep in mind that security products vary from company to company, and range from simple home alarm systems to monitoring services, depending on your needs and budget. Your company should be upfront about the solutions you need for optimal security, depending on the risks you’re exposed to.

Generally, a basic home alarm system will sound an alarm when someone triggers it while attempting to enter your home. Some alarms have additional features that deter thieves, assist in capturing vital evidence, or allow remote monitoring on your smartphone. Different home security solutions have optional features that can be added to the basic alarm system. But your security package should at least have sensors and cameras, so you know what or who triggered the alarm and prevent false alarms in the future.

If you have a monitoring service, you should find out about the charges for false alarms, sending a guard to your property, or alerting the local police. Some may activate the response immediately, while others may try to contact you first before taking any steps. You should be satisfied with how your security system responds in the event of a security threat.

3. How do you prevent my product from becoming obsolete in a few years?

With rapid changes in technology, even the most advanced home security system is likely to be overtaken in a few years by an even better one. Working with a security company that is constantly innovating ensures that the product you buy today can be upgraded and improved over time, so you don’t necessarily need to change the entire system to enjoy the latest security features.

Ideally, you should choose to work with a company that is a leader in technology, so you can expect future updates in the software that runs your security system. Moreover, an advanced system should be capable of connecting to apps on your phone, tablet, or computer, or even integrate with your smart home system. These features cost a lot to keep them running well, so you should expect to pay a little more to enjoy seamless services.

4. What hardware do I need?

Every home security system requires a certain amount of hardware, in addition to a control panel to turn the alarm on and off, depending on various factors such as:

The size of your home. Protecting a larger home requires more equipment.
The number of access points. You may need to install sensors on all the doors and windows, depending on their type.
Landline or cell service. Your security options may depend on the type of phone service you have.
Technology. You can use cameras and software that automatically turn your alarm system on and off depending on the location, eliminating the need for sensors or even a control panel.

5. What are the terms of the contract?

If you’re planning on investing in a security system for the long term, then you will need to sign a contract. Depending on the duration of the contract, you should not only ensure that you’re guaranteed ongoing support and advancements, but also good terms in the event of cancellation or service renewal.

Make sure to go through the fine print and understand the terms of the agreement, including:

The kind of warranty. Do they offer a warranty on their equipment and labour?
Price Lock. Do they offer a price lock guarantee for the term of the agreement?
Own or Leased Equipment. Do you own the equipment or is the company just renting it out to you?
Customer support. Do they offer customer support after setup and installation? How can they be accessed 24/7 and via which channels? Is customer service handled in house by the company or outsourced outside of your country which normally leads to lower customer satisfaction ratings? Is your installation company handling customer support moving forward or are they selling your contract to another company?
Relocation process. Can you move with your security system, and what fees are involved?
Monitoring capabilities when away from home. Can you access remote monitoring via your phone?
Penalties. What happens in the event of a false alarm?

Final Note

Ideally, your preferred home security system should give you value every day. Asking these questions increases the chances of being happy and satisfied with your investment. For more information on the latest home security systems to ensure the protection of your loved ones, please contact Canadian Security Professionals at 1-877-494-9911 or our website.

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5 Questions to Ask Your Home Security Company

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