Cost to install a home security system - Estimates and Prices at Fixr

Home Security System Cost.

National average. (basic monitored system with three-year contract. $420 year monitoring fee) (basic unmonitored system) (smart locks, extra motion detector, smoke detector and sensors) Home Security System Cost. Indoor Cost Guides Home Security System. National average. (basic monitored system with three-year contract. $420 year monitoring fee) (basic unmonitored system) (smart locks, extra motion detector, smoke detector and sensors) Alternatives. National average. (basic monitored system with three-year contract. $420 year monitoring fee) (basic unmonitored system) (smart locks, extra motion detector, smoke detector and sensors) The cost of installing a home security system is $700 - $1,900 ​. In this guide. How much does it cost to install a home security system? A home security system protects your family, home and valuables from burglars, intruders, fires, and carbon monoxide poisoning even when you are away. Most systems consist of a central control panel, and an entryway keypad with numerous sensors 1 and motion detectors 1 installed around the house. If any of the doors or windows are opened while the system is armed, a sensor 1 will send a signal to the control panel, which will sound an alarm. If you have a monitored home security system, it will also simultaneously use your phone line to call an off-site monitoring unit. An employee will then immediately call the house and ask for a password. If no one picks up or the person who picks up is unable to give the correct password, the police will be informed. According to an FBI crime statistics report, a total of 1,579,527 houses were burgled in the U.S. with the victims suffering over $3.5 billion in property losses. Installing a home security system makes it harder for a burglar to break in and chances are greater that a burglar will bypass a house if it is too tough or requires a greater effort to get past the security measures. If in case a burglar does break in, the alarm may scare him away. Additionally, a home security system may also save you some money on your home insurance premiums. On an average, you can expect to pay around $99 for activation, $600 for equipment (if bought separately), $35 per month for monitoring (basic monitored system with three-year contract) for a total cost of $735 . This would be for standard home security system system that consists of one control unit, two or three door/window sensors 1 , one motion detector 1 , one video camera, one key fob, and siren. Monitored vs. unmonitored home security systems. Home security systems can be monitored or unmonitored. Unmonitored security systems are comparatively inexpensive because homeowners do not have to pay for 24/7 professional monitoring. Moreover, they are easy to install. At the same time, an unmonitored home security system means that you are on your own. If an intruder breaks in and you are not at home, there is no one to call emergency services. You have to hope that someone will hear the alarm and call the police. A self-monitoring security system, which sends a notification to a specified list of people if a sensor 1 is triggered and allows you to monitor your home remotely using a cellphone, is usually considered to be a type of unmonitored home security system. In the case of monitored home security systems, an alarm will be sounded when a sensor 1 is triggered and the monitoring center will notify emergency services after evaluating the situation. It provides peace of mind about the safety of your family and gives you the added assurance that someone will call the police in case of an emergency. Since a monitored home security system includes the cost of monitoring in addition to the equipment, costs are significantly higher. Monthly fees can range from $15 to $60 , depending on what you have signed up for.

Some companies offer a discount on the equipment if you sign a three-year contract ( $600 to $2,160 ). The alarm system will work even if you don’t sign up for professional monitoring. While you can install some monitored systems yourself, others have to be installed by professionals and can cost you anywhere between $99 and $399 . Unmonitored systems are mostly DIY, which means you don’t have to pay for professional installation. While a monitored home security system is definitely more secure than an unmonitored one, you may choose to buy either option depending on how safe you think your neighborhood is and how much you can trust your friends and neighbors to look out for you. Wireless vs. hardwired. Home security systems can be of two types: wired or wireless. In a fully wireless system, the different sensors 1 installed around the house communicate wirelessly with the control panel, usually via radio frequency and the control panel uses your broadband or is equipped with a cellular uplink, which enables it to communicate with the monitoring station. In a fully wired system, the sensors 1 are connected to the central panel with wires in the walls and floors and the unit communicates with the monitoring station via the landline. Some systems may be a combination of both, for example, the sensors 1 and the control panel communicate wirelessly but use the landline for external communication. One disadvantage of fully wired systems is that they fail to work if the phone lines are cut. This is why some new models use the landline as their primary mode of connection with a cellular backup. Though hardwired security system components are typically less expensive than wireless system components, they have to be professionally installed, which increases the total cost. If you are planning to install a hardwired system in a finished home, you may also have to do some drywall 2 repair ( $60-$90 per hour) after installation. Another advantage of wireless systems is that they are easy to upgrade. You can buy a new component or add-on in the market and simply swap the existing one. However, some wireless systems can be prone to various types of interference emitted by other devices such as microwaves, baby monitors etc. and structural interference. DIY vs. professional installation. Wireless systems are usually easy to install and DIY. The equipment and setup instructions will be mailed to you when you buy a home monitoring package. Wired systems have to be installed by professionals ( $99) , which adds to the total cost. It will also involve drilling holes or making permanent modifications to your home. Most companies use their own installation staff or sublet it to approved contractors. While you can hire an electrician ( $65-$85 per hour) to do the installation, check the company’s policies to know if it will affect the warranty. How to choose. If your home is already wired for a security system, you can simply activate it by calling the provider or update the existing technology to switch to a different provider. Wireless systems are more suitable for people living in rental homes or historic homes, where you cannot make any structural modifications. If you live in a remote area with limited cellular network, a hardwired system may be more suitable for your needs. You may also want to explore security systems with home automation options that allow you to control lighting and thermostat 3 remotely or view live video using your smartphone.