Home Security Systems

[mwatson]

I have been thinking about getting a home security system for our house, and I was wondering if anyone here had some advice. I have hit all of the normal websites (Brinks, ADT, etc.), but I was hoping that some people might have real-life advice. Who do you use? Do you like it? I noticed that all of the base systems come with 2 sensors, well I have 6 spots that need a sensor, so how much is each extra one?

Thanks for any information!

[brainsmile]

they all seem the same... go wireless that's all I have to say.

[ialsohaveadream]

I've got ADT, but it was already installed in my house before I bought it. Like BS said, definitely go wireless, otherwise you'll see random wires popping out near windows and doors, like at my house.

[DarkFury]

I have ADT as well....

Pretty much the way they sold me was that they installed all the equipment in the house for free and then after my original 3 year contract was over, the equipment belonged to me...and could be used as a selling point whenever I decide to sell.

Now... some 6 years later, I still have them as my service, however I re-negotiated my contract for a year and had them drop off about $8 per month over what I was paying under the previous contract terms.

[Cubsfan]

So what do these cost per month?

[mwatson]

Has anyone tried to play a couple of companies off of each other to get the price lower? I wonder if it works or they both know what you are doing and don't budge.

[DarkFury]

So what do these cost per month?

My original contract was for $29.99 per month which included a $5 "maintanance fee"... thus the basic service with no maintenance was $24.99

Over the first 3 years of my contract, the price slowly rose upwards to $33.99 per month... but my "renegotiated contract" price is now $24.99 including the maintenance fee (I could've gotten it for $19.99 without maintenance... but my system is getting older therefore I decided to keep that part of the agreement)

[ialsohaveadream]

They wanted $35 from me, but it ended up at $26.99. I should call again and tell them about my buddy DF's deal.

[dbax791]

I have one that was already in the house when I bought it. I go with a mom&pop local outfit that does a really good job. They contract out their monitoring, though.

No idea how much new systems cost. I pay $20/mo for monitoring.