5 Questions to Ask Before Getting a Home Security System

A security system can alert you to prowlers, to open windows, and to kids trying to sneak in after curfew. Choosing one, though, can open a can of worms, because you then have to decide on the number of sensors, fire and water protection, and indoor and outdoor cameras, as well as to consider smart-home integration possibilities, monitoring options, and pricing that’s all over the map. To cut down on all the confusion, ask yourself these questions before you buy anything.

1. How paranoid are you?

If crime isn’t a big worry in your life (or neighborhood), or if you want to be the one who saves the day, opt for a self-monitored system. This means the system will notify your smartphone when triggered, and it will be up to you to contact the police or fire department. The benefit is that you don’t have to pay a monthly monitoring fee—but this arrangement also means that no one is watching out but you. A professionally monitored system can keep watch for triggers and notify you—as well as emergency services—when appropriate.

You can find several self-monitored security systems, and some, such as Abode and the Ring Alarm, let you switch between self-monitoring and professional monitoring without signing a long-term contract. With one of these systems, you can opt for professional monitoring when you need it (such as during a vacation); Abode, for example, offers service for as little as three to seven days for $8 to $15, so you can relax while you’re away.

2. What are you looking to protect?

Consider the areas you need to keep an eye on: doors, windows, garbage cans, the backyard, the pool. Contact sensors alert you when doors and windows are open, but at $20 to $40 each, putting them on every window can add up quickly. Start with the front and back door, as well as downstairs windows. If you have too many of those, a strategically placed motion sensor can safeguard an entire room, hall, or pathway.

It’s also important to remember that security systems don’t just watch for intruders. Most systems also offer fire and water protection, as well as outdoor cameras and doorbell cameras that can catch raccoons and other trash-looting critters. SimpliSafe is a popular system that supports up to 100 devices, including door and window sensors, motion sensors, indoor cameras, and more.

3. Can you install it yourself?

Most contact sensors are easy to install, but are you comfortable in your knowledge of where best to put motion sensors and cameras? Do you fear ladders? The answers to those questions may point you toward a professional.

A professionally installed system typically costs more than a DIY system because it involves someone coming to your home and doing all of the dirty work. The pros are the ones drilling into walls, hard-wiring control panels and cameras, and dealing with spiders hiding in the corners of your house. They also know the best places to put all of your equipment. Prices on installation typically start at $100 but vary—some companies offer to waive fees. However, professionally installed systems such as those from Vivint or ADT also typically lock you into an expensive service contract for years.

Both professional and DIY systems have customer service reps who can help you pick out the proper add-ons and decide between hardwired and wireless components. In addition, they can talk you through where to put those pieces around your home.

4. What else do you want the system to do?

As a smart-home geek, I love how my thermostat talks to my smart lights and vice versa. Most security systems offer some type of integration with other smart-home devices, whether that’s support for cameras, lights, or Amazon Alexa voice control. Abode offers the most smart-home integration we’ve found, as the hub supports Z-Wave and Zigbee, two common wireless smart-home standards. For instance, with an Abode system, you can trigger Philips Hue smart bulbs to turn red when an alarm triggers.

5. How much are you willing to pay?

When picking a security system, don’t just look at the package price. Make sure you know how much the various components cost, in case you want to add to the system later.

As mentioned, most professionally monitored systems charge an installation fee, involve a service contract, and typically impose a higher monthly fee, starting around $30 per month. But you can find other, also-great systems that provide monitoring on a month-to-month basis so you can cancel at any time, with fees ranging from just $10 to $30 per month.