Choosing the right security system company is a lot like choosing a doctor. You have to trust your provider’s knowledge and ability to take care of you and your family.
A truly good security company needs to be successful in two major categories: installing a security system that meets your needs and good response during emergencies. One without the other is rather pointless.
When looking at the first part you have to ask a lot of questions about a prospective provider’s choice of security system equipment. Is it up to date? Is it made by a good manufacturer such as General Electric ( http://www.gesecurity.com/portal/site/GESecurity/menuitem.f76d98ccce4cabed5efa421766030730).
When you discuss the options with security system company representatives, look at both hardwired as well as wireless options and ask what they recommend and why. Every home is different so make sure their reasoning matches with your needs for your home.
Pay attention to how many entry points would or would not be covered, how sensitive or not triggers are and how well motion sensors work should you opt for them.
More importantly, when a prospective company’s sales consultant visits your home, does he or she seem knowledgeable and credible? And no matter what, get multiple estimates – compare notes between companies to see who is giving you the best advice and deal.
But then there’s the part they can all tell you they do well, but you can’t really know for sure – the service. When you need it, you need it to work well. How can you find out?
Ask for references of satisfied customers. Any credible security system company should be able to provide you a list of other customers willing to discuss their experience and satisfaction.
Along with that, you can ask around. Who do your friends and the people you know use? What have their experiences been like? Find out if their alarms have ever gone off and what happened when they did.
But even better, check with your local police or sheriff’s department. They deal with alarms, burglaries and security system companies all the time. Find out who to avoid and who gives timely response that works well with local law enforcement.
Often, the big national companies like Broadview Security, formerly Brinks (www.broadviewsecurity.com) offer reliable trustworthy service that gave them their names. But every region has some great local options such as American Alarm Systems in Southern California (http://800amalarm.com/).
The main thing is to ask a lot of questions and compare answers. Make an informed decision that will give you the peace of mind a security system should provide.
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