Monitored home security alarm system companies live by the credo of "a dollar a day" - that's how little it costs to maintain a monitored alarm system for your home.

Standard monthly fees are $25-$40 per month. Dual communication capabilities - radio or cellular backup system in case phone line is disabled - will typically add about $10 to your monthly service fees. Dual tech sensor systems and pet alleys can run you an extra $50-$300 per year. Expect to add $75-$200 for an optional remote control.

The initial setup fees for a home security alarm system varies based on the type of equipment installed, the number of individual security devices included, and the size of your home. Expect to pay $100-$1,500 for installation and equipment, with the higher end being for more comprehensive systems. Adding fire protection to your system can add $200-$400 to your setup costs and $0-$5 extra to your monthly monitoring fees. Find out what BuyerZone users paid for Home Security Systems.

Installing a monitored home security alarm system is generally a four to eight hour job for smaller homes, such as a 1,200 sq ft two-bedroom apartment. It may take less time than that depending on how much pre-wiring exists in your home or if you select a wireless home security system. A 3,000 sq ft house would be a considerably larger job, and might take a couple of days.

Contracts can be month-to-month, but the standard is a three or five year obligation. The contract will guarantee that your fees will not increase and indicate what your rights are. Keep in mind that breaking the contract before it expires will result in hefty penalties - from 75 percent of the fees due to the full amount.

Most basic home security equipment - door contacts, motion detectors, glass break sensors - is provided as part of your contract, and you get to keep it after the contract expires. For those homeowners who lease equipment, you'll likely pay $300 - $500 per year, which can be built into your monthly fees.

Some local police departments require annual permits to have a monitored home security alarm system. There are typically two permits you will need: a state monitoring permit with local police and an electrical permit to install and monitor the alarm system in your home. There may also be a low-voltage alarm permit mandated by the city. The costs are negligible - between $5 and $40 per year.

Before you sign a contract, review it with a fine-toothed comb. Pay special attention to all fees and make sure they are legitimate. A common hidden fee is one to connect to the central station - most of the time, this is a charge already built into the pricing.

Home security alarm system warranties
Warranties vary: some companies will provide warranties that range from one year up to the life of the contract; others offer only a 90-day installation warranty covering all parts and labor. Avoid a home security alarm system that doesn't include some type of warranty. It doesn't matter if it's an initial 90-day period or the full duration of the standard three-year contract.

When you sign your monitoring contract, you can purchase an extended maintenance and repair agreement for your home security alarm system. For an additional $100-$200 - which may be built into your monthly monitoring fees - you would be covered for parts and labor after your initial warranty expires. Otherwise, you have to pay a trip fee for a service crew and any parts and labor if you run into any post-warranty problems.

Comments

Show/Hide Additional Home Security Articles