While you do have options for DIY home security, they have both benefits and downfalls, particularly when compared next to what you can get from a professional home security system. DIY home security doesn’t come with a monthly charge, which is an incentive for some people. However, that monthly charge is for 24-hour professional monitoring and support, meaning that someone else has an eye on your home whether you are there, sleeping, or out and about.
Is the cost for professional monitoring enough to help you choose which type of home security you would prefer?
Examples of DIY Home Security
Not sure what DIY home security actually is or looks like? In many ways, DIY home security can look a lot like professional home security systems. You can find plenty of DIY motion sensors, panic buttons, cameras, contact sensors for windows, keychain remotes, and more. Nowadays, some of these DIY home security systems use smart technology and can be controlled and monitored using your smartphone. This way, you have access and control over your home security even on the go, wherever and whenever you want.
The main difference between DIY home security and professional home security is the monthly fee, which you don’t have to contend with when you go DIY.
The Main Downfall of DIY Home Security
While DIY home security has its benefits, such as lower cost, less involved home installations, and potentially easier setup, DIY home security alternatives have one chief drawback: no outside, professional monitoring or support.
When it comes down to it, security is about more than just alarms, alerts, and keeping an eye on your home when you’re not there. What good is it to be able to see what’s going on at your home when you can’t do anything about it from where you are? If you can’t get to a place where you can alert the proper authorities, than having an alarm or remote monitoring system may not be as helpful in your time of need.
Looking at DIY systems from a Burglars perspective, most DIY system are such as Yale and Response are one way wireless devices, hacking and interference of this equipment is not uncommon from professional burglars and once these systems are installed, with their universal bell box, a burglar knows exactly what brand of equipment you have and how to easily disable it using their hacks or disconnection methods. Another thing to consider is how adequate is the protection of your property with your DIY system? Most DIY systems are sold as packages and whilst a £150 kit with external bell box and two movement detectors might be adequate for a one bedroom apartment, it most definitely is not for a 4 or 5 bedroom property. With DIY Systems, no professional risk assessment will have been carried out which could leave key areas of your home unprotected.
Also, the fact is that you lead a busy life. You simply don’t have the time to be watching the security cameras or checking your phone all day looking for alerts about your home’s security—plus, sometimes, you have to sleep! With professionally monitored home security systems, not only will you be alerted to a problem, but the police, fire department, or any other authorities that need to respond to your home can be there faster, whether or not you are there to catch the alert and call them yourself at that particular moment.
With professional monitoring and support, you can rest a little easier knowing that someone else other than yourself is looking out for you, your home, and your family. Should your DIY alarm system go off in the middle of the night, who would you call? Monitored and Maintained systems have less reasons to go wrong, are professionally installed and someone is on hand 24 hours a day to support you and attend in emergencies.
Your safety is important to not just you but to the company that is entrusted to protect you using its specialised alarm, alert, and monitoring equipment.
While DIY home security has its merits, it’s important to weigh how much having a professional monitoring service means to you and your feelings of safety and security. If you feel like having an extra pair of eyes and ears on your home is the way to go, then you may want to steer away from DIY home security alternatives toward a more professionally installed and monitored home security approach.
Systems which have keyholder, police or app monitoring require a monitoring and maintenance agreement, however unlike our competitors who lock their customer into a 36 month contract without the option to leave, regardless of the service or aftersales they provide, Our agreements are for 12 months from installation and then on a rolling monthly contract thereafter, because who knows where life can take you within three years? Our bells only systems have no requirement for a contract, and we'd be happy to maintain and respond to your questions and queries as an when.
For more information on our professionally installed burglar alarm systems, please contact us on 02034881699, email us at enquiries@hensonsecurity.com or visit our contact page hensonsecurity.com/contact
