A consumer hoping to install a home security system once the best money can buy. But ‘best’ is a relative term. Not only that, but most consumers also are not working with unlimited budgets. So coming up with the best possible system is really about getting the most for your money. Does that mean a professionally installed and monitored system?
Every homeowner needs to decide for himself what he wants to invest in. Some people prefer DIY home security and self-monitoring. Others handle installation themselves but leave monitoring to the professionals. Still others feel it is worth the investment to get a system that is professionally installed and monitored.
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Professional All the Way
Consumers choosing to go professional all the way have plenty of big names to choose from. Vivint is among them. Vivint has been an industry leader and professionally installed and monitored home security for years. They say going professional all the way has its advantages.
1. Installation Done Right
First among the advantages is installation done right. Fully trained technicians come to your home and, before doing anything else, assess what they are working with. They know what to look for in terms of locating devices. They pay attention to everything from lighting to landscaping to the hardware that secures a home’s doors and windows.
DIY home security installation is not inherently bad. With enough research and a moderate level of DIY skills, a typical homeowner can do a fine job. But installation is what professional technicians get paid for. It is what they are trained to do. Security installations are what they do every day of the week. You are more likely to get the job done right by letting a professional do it.
2. Everything Just Works
Another big advantage of going professional with the installation is getting equipment that just works out of the box. You get the same benefit from a prepackaged DIY system but not by building your own system from scratch.
Everything working out of the box is huge if you don’t know much about home security devices. Everything working as it should eliminates one of the biggest hassles of DIY home security.
3. Monitored Around-the-Clock
Yet a third advantage of going professional all the way is around-the-clock monitoring. Your system is always connected to a remote monitoring center via the internet, phone lines, or both. It is constantly being monitored even if you are not paying attention to it.
You don’t have to be vigilant about checking your phone for notifications unless you want to be. When you are on vacation, the monitoring provider has you covered. When you’re at work, you will not be interrupted during important meetings. And when you’re sleeping, you can rest easily because someone else is keeping an eye on your security system.
Going Professional Costs More
The trade off with professional installation and monitoring is cost. Technicians don’t work for free. Their employers pay for their time and expertise, ultimately passing the cost on to you through either a direct installation fee or higher prices on equipment.
This is important because some home security companies offer free installation. It is only free in the sense that you don’t pay an upfront installation fee. But you still pay for it. Home security companies do not eat the cost of installation. They pass it along as a cost of doing business.
In terms of monitoring, most companies charge a monthly subscription fee. It’s not much in the grand scheme of things, but it does and up over many months and years. On the other hand, DIY monitoring costs you nothing in terms of dollars and cents. It does cost in terms of your time and attention.
Equipment Is the Wild Card
When choosing between DIY and professionally installed home security, the actual equipment you get is the wild card. Who manufactures it? Is it compatible with other brands? Can any monitoring company work with it?
Understanding home security equipment requires quite a bit of research. Unless you’re willing to take a home security company’s word for it, you need to look at equipment brands and their respective reputations. You might also want to do a deep dive into the various features a brand offers with its devices.
Another thing to look into is a system’s smart capabilities. For instance, Vivint sells smart cameras, locks, thermostats, and lighting. All their devices are compatible with smart speakers from Google and Amazon. By marrying the two ecosystems, you get all the benefits of Vivint Home Security with the voice control of your smart speaker.
Leasing vs. Owning
Another question on the equipment front is whether you’re leasing or you actually own it. Home security companies are gradually moving away from the leasing model in favor of consumer ownership, but you still need to check. If you are merely leasing the equipment, you have little control over upgrades. You also cannot take it with you should you move.
On the other hand, owned equipment is yours straight up. You can do with it as you please, even if that means terminating your monitoring agreement and hooking up with another provider. You can take it with you when you move. And with any luck, your provider will handle packing, moving, and setting up on the other end.
Figure Out the Best for You
Having read this entire post, ask yourself the following question: is professional installation and monitoring the best for you? Does a company like Vivint offer the best home security for the money? You need to decide that for yourself. Take your time and do your research. It is worth the effort.
Some homeowners swear by professional installation and monitoring. To them, it is the best money can buy. Others think that DIY installation and monitoring is a better value. Between both options, you need to think about equipment, features, and compatibility. There is a lot to consider in your quest to find the best home security system your budget can support.
