Owning a home is not something that most of us have the pleasure of having, and this means that if you have one, you need to keep it secure because it holds all your valuable. Your home is your safe space, and you don’t want anyone to infringe on that and spoil the sanctity of your home.
You can’t avoid or prevent burglary, but you can do your best to make it difficult for the burglars to break into your home. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this blog and learn more about some of the questions you need to ask yourself before getting a home security system.
1. Are you paranoid?
This is a question that you need to ask yourself, and don’t think too long about it. It will be pretty straightforward. If the answer is yes, then by all means go ahead and get one. If you live in an area where crime isn’t prevalent, then you might want to opt for a self-monitoring system. This means that the system will be triggered if there is suspicious movement in your place, and you will be sent a notification.
You should also know that a professional monitoring system will watch for triggers and contact you and the necessary authorities if something happens. Unlike with professional monitoring, no one is watching out for you with the self-monitoring system, but it also means that you don’t have to pay a monthly fee. So, the choice is in your court when it comes to the type of security system that you want.
2. What are you protecting?
The security system that you need depends on what you are looking for. You need to know where the sensor is, and the most common places are the entrance doors, windows, garage doors, and backyard. They are the places where break-ins most commonly occur. However, you need to know that each sensor that you install can cost you anywhere from 20 to 40 dollars, and putting one at every entrance can rack up pretty quickly.
So, think strategically about where you want to put the sensors, put in on the front and back entrance and the windows (these are usually the downstairs windows) that are most likely to be broken in. When placed strategically, they can safeguard an entire pathway, hall, and even room.
You should also be aware that most security systems don’t only watch out for intruders. Most of them also offer water and fire protection and even outdoor and doorbell cameras. So, look up what your security company is offering and make the most out of it.
3. Can you install it yourself, or do you need to hire professionals?
This once again depends on the system you are getting. Most contact sensors are rather easy and didactic to install. However, you need to ask yourself if you are afraid of height or what are the best position and where to place your camera and motion sensors. These are big reasons why you should hire professionals to install them.
However, you need to know that a home security system installed by professionals will cost more than if you DIY it. Just know that installing them can cause a ruckus as holes will be drilled in the walls to fix them in place. Installation fees usually cost around 100 dollars, but this will vary depending on the company you are hiring.
4. What is your budget?
It is an investment, and you should have a budget for this. When looking into home security systems, look at the package price and how much the various other components also cost, as this will add up later down the line. This is how some security companies trick people into paying more than they originally intended because they didn’t read the fine prints.
Sound off in the comments section below and tell us what you want to read next and if you want to read more about home security systems.