How much was it to install your alarm system? and what company?

The quotes I have gotten were for 2 grand. Is this the norm? Seemed kind of high.

Re: How much was it to install your alarm system? and what company?

Depends on how extensive the system is and if you're going all hard wired vs. non-wired systems. When we first looked into it we priced out both options and the hard wired was more expensive (over $3000). We heard pros and cons of both options. Ultimately we ended up with a system that is a combination of hard wired and non-wired componants and it was over $3000 but we have upgraded (text driven) key pads, motion and glass break, wired windows, fire alarms, etc. on 3 floors. The company we worked with has good packages that are in the $700 range. VMS Security is the company we used. I've posted their info here before - if you can't find it on a search let me know and I'll dig it up and send it to you if you want it.

Re: How much was it to install your alarm system? and what company?

We used slomins. We got one pad and 2 sensors all door hardwired and one wireless. It cost us 137.00. It's something like 80 for 3 months. Such peace of mind and totally worth it.

Re: How much was it to install your alarm system? and what company?

Ours was in that range maybe closer to 3k. Like others stated it depends on what you get. We have a wireless system with 2 glass break sesors since our front and back doors are all glass. We have motion sensors on the two floors plus the basement and a wireless digital key pad upstairs and downstairs.

ETA: We have a ton of windows...our entire downstairs is basically windows which drove up the cost. Each individual window had to get it's own sensor.

Message edited 12/2/2010 9:19:52 AM.

Re: How much was it to install your alarm system? and what company?

We had to upgrade the original system and added 3 new keypads and some sensors. It cost about $2k.

Re: How much was it to install your alarm system? and what company?

Your question is hard to answer b.c it really depends on what you want. There are some companies that will give you a free system - but it is VERY basic and you might have a higher monthly service charge. Others you pay for the system and you can get what you want - they charge per window/door, per motion sensor and per smoke detector etc - but you get a lower monthly charge.

It is important to know WHAT you are getting for 2 grand? Also how much is your monthly charge for central station? Does that include the charges for permits etc.

I use/used local company - when we put alarms in the past house and our current home. We didn't want the very basic system - so we wanted more options (like smoke detectors etc). They had two options - one buy the system outright and get a much lower monthly monitoring charge or I think it was take a 5 year contract at a much higher rate but rent the system or something like that. In the long run (5 years - since both contracts were for 5 years) it was MUCH cheaper to buy the system and take the monthly charge. We got estimates from several major companies and the company we used was the cheapest for us.

Re: How much was it to install your alarm system? and what company?

One thing we got that was extra was well worth it. The standard key pads would list "Zone 1" or "Zone 4" if something triggered the alarm, or if something was open and it couldn't be set. We upgraded to the keypads that spell out exactly what areas is triggering the alarm - which bedroom or window, which door, etc. If the alarm triggers in the middle of the night I want to be able to look at that key pad and know where the trip-point is, and when we are leaving, or at night setting the alarm, if we get a message that something is open so we can't set the alarm I don't wan to have to figure out what "Zone 3" is, I want to know that our guest left the back bathroom window open. I would highly recommend getting the upgraded pads.

Re: How much was it to install your alarm system? and what company?

thanks, guys!