There are many home projects you can do yourself, but should you consider a DIY home security system too? We get it. It feels that there are endless options when it comes to protecting your home, and DIY home security systems may seem like an attractive option to secure your house. Many people feel confident that they can tackle it without a problem. But, of course, it’s never as easy as it looks.
What Does a DIY Home Security System Look Like?
DIY involves picking out all the devices on your own or mixing and matching devices from a big box store. While the system you’ve built is great in theory, you might not be aware of the holes in your brand-new system until it’s too late.
Did you know that improper placement of motion detectors can lead to costly accidental alarms? That your WiFi strength affects the quality of your video surveillance? Or that even with several security devices, there can be gaps that make your home much less safe than you think it is?
With your family’s safety on the line, it’s risky to not leave your home security to the experts.
What Professional Installation Brings to the Table
Once you’ve determined the devices that will best protect vulnerable spots in your home and bring you peace of mind, if you’re choosing a DIY system, the next step is installation. DIY systems leave the burden on you to install your new devices, which leaves room for error and weak spots in your system. Securing your home is not something you want to cut corners on, and installing a security system may take several attempts before you get it functioning properly.
The alternative is to get your system professionally installed. Trained technicians are able to place your devices correctly the first time and take the hassle of setting it all up off of your hands. There are many benefits to passing this task on to a skilled professional. Here’s what you can expect when you have a trained professional install your home security system:
- A thorough consultation to determine what you really need
- A custom system designed just for you
- Confidence that all devices are placed correctly
- Education and advice from someone who does this all day, every day
- Recommendations to close any gaps in your security system
- Personal instruction on how to set up and use your system
- Confirmation that your system is working properly
- Immediate answers to any questions that come up
Why Choose Professionally Monitored Home Security Systems
Another important piece of the home security puzzle is who responds when your system is triggered. Here, you have two options: You can choose professional monitoring or no monitoring.
Many big-box security devices you see online or in stores are not professionally monitored. Therefore, the only person looking at your alarm status is you. Sure, you can “monitor” your home using the mobile app and can receive alerts if something goes wrong, but what happens once that alert is sent? After you’ve been notified, it is solely on you to get help and handle the situation.
Truth be told, true home security is a full-time job and a serious commitment. Picture this: You’re walking out of a meeting and see a notification saying that your window was tampered with an hour ago. In this case, those handy alerts aren’t so handy after all. While it’s certainly helpful to get an alert on your smartphone, it’s much better to get a phone call telling you that a trained team has already notified the authorities.
Professional monitoring, however, ensures that triggered alarms are handled whether you are available or not. With professional monitoring, a team of specialists at a monitoring center is trained to respond to many situations so that potential threats are handled as quickly as possible. These professionals have extensive experience handling burglaries, fires, and medical emergencies, and they are also looking out for you 24/7. Unexpected situations are hard enough. Don’t make it your responsibility to handle unforeseen incidents from beginning to end.
Save Money With Monitoring
Additionally, some people can receive a discount on their homeowners insurance when they choose to be protected by a professionally monitored home security system. By deciding to have round-the-clock protection of your property, you are showing that you are taking the extra step to secure your home, which some insurance companies reward with this homeowners insurance discount. So see if your provider offers this and shave off a bit of your bill by presenting them with a certificate of monitoring as proof of this thorough home protection.
Get Protected by Professionals
Every home and every life is different, but they do share one thing in common – both are better when they’re safe. Relying on trained professionals not only relieves these burdens from you, but it also allows you the peace of mind that comes with knowing industry experts have your back around the clock. From beginning to end, professionally installed and monitored systems provide the best chance at effectively protecting your home from potential threats.