There are a wide variety of home security options on the market, knowing which one is right for Palm Beach Gardens luxury homes or other location takes a bit of research. Besides the actual equipment and its specific features, home owners also need to know who they are trusting to supervise their home security.
Types of Home Security Systems
There are 3 basic types of home security systems:
- Professionally Installed, Professionally Monitored Systems: These types of systems are professionally installed and are monitored by a call center that will contact you if there is a breach. Eventually, they’ll contact assistance for you, if necessary. These types of systems typically require a contract be signed for their services. As of 2015, these systems are installed in 93% of the residences with home security.
- Self Installed, Professionally Monitored Systems: These types of systems requires customers to install the hardware themselves, and then bills a subscriber fee to have the house monitored by professionals. As of 2015, these system had 4.7% of the market share.
- Self Installed, Self Monitored Systems: These systems are installed by the customer and the device notifies the user if there is a breach in the system. The device monitors the home’s security, not a person. Only 2.3% of the home security market uses this type of system.
Shift in Home Security Systems
With technology advances and an increasing tech-savvy market, the type of home security systems that households like Palm Beach Gardens luxury homes are expected to be installing will shift. Research projections from Citi as reported by Business Insider find homes will be secured as follows:
- In the next 5 years:
- Professionally Installed and Monitored Systems: 61.6%
- Self Installed and Monitored Systems: 34%
- Self Installed and Professional Monitored Systems: 4.4%
- In the next 20 years:
- Self Installed and Monitored Systems: 62.5%
- Professionally Installed and Monitored Systems: 31.3%
- Self Installed and Professional Monitored Systems: 6.2%
What System is Best for You?
While everyone wants to protect their home, it is important to know you are dealing with a reliable, honest company. The Federal Trade Commission has some advice on choosing a home security system.
- Get Recommendations: Start by asking friends, neighbors, and family members which home security system providers they know and recommend. Then do some of your own research.
- Check Reviews: Check out a few of the recommended companies online and read through their reviews. You may find out perks and features you never even thought of are provided, or not.
- Verify with BBB: Many people may make nonsense complaints or giving glowing reviews, you are never really sure where these are coming from. That’s why you should always check the Better Business Bureau to verify a company you choose is in good standing.
- Verify Contractor Licensing: Once you’ve narrowed down your list of dealers, verify their contractors’ licenses are in good standing with the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies.
- Get Written Estimates: Ask for documented estimates from several of the different companies that you are considering. Read the fine print carefully and ask lots of questions about installation, alarm monitoring, response time, contract terms, and pricing.
