Security System - Is this too much $$?

[vmars]

So I got a quote from a local alarm company recommended by my boss. The start up cost is $1,760 + tax. It includes the following:

-Motion sensor for 1st floor
-Wireless Window sensors for all windows (we have 24 windows)
-Wireless Door sensors for all doors (3 doors)
-2 Wireless touch screen monitors
-2 key fob controllers
-Ability to control alarm system through phone

Monthly cost is $35 (it would be $30 if we didn't have control through our phones)

WDYT? I am having sticker shock. Boss said she checked with other local company & ADT and they offered the best deal. I am skeptical.

[Deleted]

That sounds similar in cost to ours. We actually spent more than that in initial cost since we asked for other sensors/monitors (CO, natural gas leak, panic button), ~$3k. And it can work without remote monitoring.

[vmars]

yeah I think if I go with them I will ask them to include fire/co detector for no extra cost, but we'll see.

[GailGoldie]

that sounds about right- we paid $1500 for slightly less when we set up..

we have fire/heat protection - there are a few heat sensors int he house and they will call the center if they feel heat.... make sure you have that.


the sales guy for ADT told us that they he doesn't recommend the CO2 for the average home - it's more for someone who spends 1/2 a year in another house, etc... b/c those who live in the home year round can get cheaper wall mount sensors - and you'll hear it when it goes off. If you don't live there for a long time, the battery would die if it went off... you'd come home and be dead in an hour, etc. so we didnt' get co2.

[vmars]

yeah the CO thing doesn't really seem needed, but I def. want it hooked up to the smoke detector.

[mollybrown]

I don't think that sounds bad. Our house came with an alarm, but we spent another $400 to add sensors on just the first floor and basement windows. I could see everything else adding up to $1300.

[twodogsandababy]

We just got a system a few weeks ago. We got our equipment for free with our contract. The equipment belongs to us and our monthly monitoring fee is $50. We have 17 window sensors, 4 door sensors, 2 glass break sensors, a main wireless keypad downstairs and a touch screen keypad upstairs. We can also control our system through our phones.

[Deleted]

My MM suggestion is to call a large security company. Negotiate the contract down from 3 yrs to 1 year. Get all of that stuff for free or a nominal price. Then switch to a local monitoring company after 1 yr. That is what I did. I paid $250 for CO, Smoke, Glass, sensor on each window, 2 key fobs, 2 key pads, 1 motion detector. Then I paid $44.95 per month with guardian and then switched after 1 yr.

[vmars]

I ordered the system & got the smoke detectors hooked in too - so it's a total of $1,850. Not cheap, but in the end I am happy my house will be extremely safe & I am using a local reputable company.

[Pom]

Shiit. Now I am glad I went with the company that had security equipment already installed in the house from a previous owner. Damn.