Home Security Cost
When you feel it’s necessary to install protection for your house, you’ll have to consider your home security cost. Even if you are on a budget there are many options available to you that will help you improve your peace of mind at home.
Depending on how tight your budget is you may need to fore-go with the more expensive monthly residential security monitoring services or the expensive home alarm systems, but there are many affordable and easy to install options that won’t cost you the world.
Below are just a few options (with ballpark prices) that will help you set-up your in home security systems at little cost, so that you and your family can sleep soundly at night or go out for the day. First we’ll start with the non-monitored security devices:
Door And Window Alarms (starting less than $20)
Easy to install and very affordable, window and door alarms will sound a siren if there is an attempt to open the window/door to gain entry to your home. These easy to install security alarms take little time to install, usually require no tools (many stick on but you might need a screwdriver for some) and give particular peace of mind when put in children’s bedroom windows.
Click the image to the left to find out more about one of the most popular window alarms, the GE 51107 Smart Home Wireless Alarm System Kit.
Motion Sensor Lights ($20 – $50)
Burglars love the freedom that the darkness affords them. They’ll hang out in the shadows of your backyard just watching and waiting for their opportunity. Well you can add a little light to their lives by installing a motion-detection sensor floodlight on your property. When a burglar moves into range of the sensor he’ll find himself center stage and in the spotlight. No criminal will want to bask in that kind of light for too long and a fast exit will be running through their mind seconds before they are running out of your yard.
Get a motion sensor light that has enough range for your property with an adjustable detection range so that the floodlight is not activated every time a car or bike passes your home. Also look for a floodlight with a pulse count feature so that the light is not triggered too often by wind and rain.
For more information on this type of product check out the popular Heath Zenith montion dector floodlight.
Security Cameras ($25 to several hundreds)
Dummy ‘fake’ Security Cameras (from less than $1)
Cameras for home security are more expensive than the other options mentioned above, so this one is really down to how much security you require and how much you’re prepared to fork out for it. Personally I went for a home security camera in the price range of $100, which is still quite affordable. That way you’ll get a camera with some night vision capabilities and that should connect direct to your DVR. Obviously the more you spend on a security camera the better the package you’ll end up with.
Installing a camera will act as a powerful deterrent to would-be burglars, and you can order your security cameras direct from sites like Amazon.
To find out more check out the popular the Night Owl Security Products CAM-4PK-CM115 4 PK Wired Color Security Cameras (includes 240′ of Cable).
Home security costs don’t have to deter you from taking basic measures to secure your home and family. Much of the benefit of these simple security installations will come in your peace of mind and knowledge that most burglars will be put-off by the floodlights and camera (if you go that route). Remember to talk to your neighbours, keep an eye out for each others property and report any suspicious activities to your local authorities.
Monitored Home Security Costs
There are many companies offering home security monitoring. Basically this is a remotely monitored service, who will be notified if there is a break-in in your home and can contact the authorities and home owners.
Is The Equipment Supplied?
Many service providers supply and install the equipment for free and you then pay a monthly fee for the duration of the contact. Contracts vary from 2 years up to 5 years. Remember in this instance you do not own the equipment and the company can reclaim it when a contact ends or is terminated. Also, there can be a small fee that basically insures the equipment added on to the monthly fee (make sure you get all fees up-front).
In other instances you can buy and have equipment like the Caddx system installed for around $450 (this depends on the installers fees). You can then get a company to monitor your alarms for around $20 per month. You might have to do a little more ringing around to get a company to work with your own equipment as many prefer to provide their own, but it can be done.
Do I Need A Phone Line For Monitored Security?
Yes, at the time of writing this you do. To my knowledge all monitored security systems must communicate with a central system, and to do this you have to have a phone line. With the widespread use of mobile phones, many people don’t have phone lines and getting one installed for the sole purpose of monitoring your home really bumps up your security costs. You can still use many systems locally, but if the alarm is triggered it will not relay messages to a central monitoring office as there is no phone-line connection. With advancements in technology this may be a thing of the past, check out the page on remote access home IP CCTV.
So A Quick Round Up On Monitored Home Security Costs:
- Contacts can be from between 2 and 5 years generally
- Monitoring can cost from around $18 to $40 per month
- In some instances you can provide your own equipment, costs around $450 but may vary widely so price around
- In many instances the equipment is provided and installed for free, but you don’t own it
One last tip, I have heard people say it’s best to go with a local company as some have found it difficult to get support for nationwide companies. This may just be the opinion of a few, but keep it in mind if you are considering getting monitored home security.
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