• About
  • Mortgage Basics
  • $40K Challenge
  • Aunt Doris
  • Grandfather Says
  • Privacy
  • Archives
  • 100 Words

Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

How to Select the Best Home Security Company

By Sabado Domingo

My wife gets on my case because I am terrible at engaging our burglar alarm system every night before bed. Rightfully so; a burglar alarm is a smart precautionary initiative toward protecting your home and the valuables within.

In my opinion, everyone should have some kind of home burglar alarm system, whether it’s monitored by you or a private security company.

When it comes to finding the best home security monitoring company, I’ve learned several basic negotiating tips which I have implemented over the years:

Take Your Time

When you’re ready to start shopping, take your time, do your preliminary research online and be ready to walk away from the deal if it doesn’t sound like music to your ears. You are not buying life insurance here. This is negotiation 101.

Bundle Services

Contact multiple alarm companies and get written quotes via email for overall home protection security including smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide if you are potentially exposed to that risk. I have found some excellent deals in the past by bundling multiple services together.

Take Advantage of the Competition

You will likely learn that pricing for private security companies typically start in the neighborhood of $45. Keep in mind that there is very little difference between these plans, so you should focus mainly on price.

Check the BBB

When you find a candidate, research the Better Business Bureau, company website and the Internet to see what other people have to say. More importantly, speak to the company management and determine whether the monitoring station that will be overseeing your property is certified. Gauge how diligently the station operates on a day-to-day basis, including staffing and training levels.

Do Not Sign a Contract

Never sign a contract. They’re not required, and many burglar alarm companies love rolling over your contract when it ends to a new one for a full year. If you don’t proactively contact your alarm company and tell them that you want to end your services, they will automatically enroll you in a new term. Getting out after the fact isn’t a cheap or easy process.

Beware of Unsolicited Offers

Finally, beware of alarm company reps who show up at your home uninvited as they could be a scammer or thief. Even if they aren’t, alarm company sales reps are trained in highly-effective scare tactics intended to get you to sign long term pricey contracts which you can totally live without. These salesmen do their research by obtaining recent neighborhood incident reports and then try to scare you with all the possibilities of something happening to your home.

So whats the overall lesson here? Conduct lots of thorough research — and then only invite an alarm company rep to your home after: 1) you are comfortable with your research; and 2) you have confirmed that the alarm company you are interested in does not require you to sign any contracts.

Your home and its possessions are valuable and worthy of protection. Assuming you do a little research up front, a reliable home security company that provides you with peace of mind can be well worth the price.

Photo Credit: Matt from London

May 12, 2021

Comments

  1. 1

    Kevin @ Thousandaire.com says

    My favorite security system: a dog. A big mean one with a loud bark.

    • 2

      Len Penzo says

      An excellent alternative — and studies show it doesn’t even have to be a big dog. Just a noisy one.

      • 3

        MaryBeth says

        A well-trained, well-cared-for dog is the best. You are right — size doesn’t matter, although a well-cared for dog will defend its people out of loyalty and instinct.

  2. 4

    jennypenny says

    Yup, our two dogs were rescues and get the job done nicely. I have to pay vet bills, but they keep me company during the day and warm at night.

  3. 5

    Steven Wells says

    Thank you for sharing this article! Having quality burglar alarms permits proper security responses as well as to be alerted when someone is in the house while you are away. A high quality burglar alarm is a key in no doubt that a potential thief doesn’t view your home as a target. Burglar alarms are there to provide families with around-the-clock protection. Investing for life security purpose would be the best investment that any wise person can do. This security tool has been known to be a lifesaver in some of the most tremendous situation. This is a valuable tool not only for burglary protection; but for protection fire, medical emergencies and so much more. Even though stories of home burglaries or invasion never make as headline news, they are occurring and it is important now more than ever to have protection at home or anywhere you go.

  4. 6

    Frank says

    At a minimum, the front door cameras are quite useful. They monitor traffic at your front door. You can answer the door remotely. Monitor packages. Monitor suspicious activity, etc. Additional units can be added inside or behind the house and best of all they don’t require a subscription.
    Len – you might write an article about the subscription trend. Many businesses are going away from advertising toward subscription services with pay-walls, which has it benefits. But it is easy to lose track of these subscriptions and they start to add up to serious money. And often difficult to cancel.

    • 7

      Len Penzo says

      Great idea, Frank!

The Question of the Week:

Do you think credit unions are safer than traditional banks?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Recent Posts

  • Is a Master’s Degree in Education Worth It? 7 Key Questions to Ask
  • Comparing the Flat Tax, Fair Tax, and Progressive Tax Systems
  • Are Energy Efficient CFL Bulbs Worth Paying More For?
  • Black Coffee: Pushing the Panic Button
  • The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 10
  • 3 Ways That Make Credit Cards Vulnerable to Fraud
  • Common Financial Mistakes in Manufacturing (and How to Avoid Them)
  • Blind Taste Test: Does Bottled Water Really Taste Better Than Filtered Tap?
  • Black Coffee: Banking on the Future
  • Behind the Science of Defining What’s Truly Priceless

Disclaimer

This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and the content herein should not be mistaken for professional financial advice. In fact, making investment decisions based on information published here, or any other website for that matter, is more than unwise; it is folly. This website accepts advertising in the form of monetary and other compensation; as such, topics of discussion are occasionally influenced by these advertisers. Sometimes, an article may also include affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, this blog earns a commission if you click through and make a purchase (for example, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases). Remember, you and you alone are responsible for the decisions you make in life, so please contact an independent financial professional for advice regarding your unique personal situation.

Sign up for the weekly Len Penzo dot Com newsletter
Len Penzo dot Com Delivered Weekly
Join more than 40,000 readers and fans who enjoy personal finance and macroeconomics with an offbeat twist!
Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing!

Popular Now:

  1. 1. 18 Personal Finance Facts About US Presidents
  2. 2. Credit or Debit: Which One Is Actually Better?
  3. 3. Why Buying Gasoline in the Morning Can Save You Money
  4. 4. Why Paying Off the Mortgage Early May Be a Big Mistake
  5. 5. What Defines True Financial Success?
  6. 6. A Georgia Teacher Shows Why It Always Pays to Read the Fine Print
  7. 7. Debt Elimination: The Pros and Cons of Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps
  8. 8. Home Repair Scams: Here Are the 9 Biggest
  9. 9. Historical Gold & Silver Benchmarks for Wages and Commodities
  10. 10. 4 Good Reasons Why Some Quarters Are Painted Red

All-Time Most Popular:

  1. 1. 19 Things Your Millionaire Neighbor Won’t Tell You
  2. 2. Dear Friend: Here Are 41 Reasons Why I’m NOT Lending the Money
  3. 3. Why Your Expensive Luxury Car Doesn’t Impress Smart People
  4. 4. If You Can’t Live on $40,000 Annually It’s Your Own Fault
  5. 5. 21 Reasons Why Corner Lots Are for Suckers
  6. 6. 4 Smart Reasons Why College Isn’t for Everyone
  7. 7. 18 Fast Facts About Social Security Numbers
  8. 8. My Ketchup Taste Test: Upset! Guess Which Brand Topped Heinz
  9. 9. Why I Prefer a Spreadsheet to Track Expenses and Manage My Finances
  10. 10. Here’s a Simple Trick for Getting Credit Card Interest Charges Waived

Copyright © 2023 Len Penzo dot Com · All Rights Reserved · Designed by Nuts and Bolts Media

© Len Penzo dot Com 2008–2023