Annual domestic security alarm maintenance - av cost?

fluffpot

We've had an alarm in our house for abut 11 years now - the same company that installed it, maintain it. It's not a huge system - just 4 PIR sensors.

The service is going to cost me £90 incl VAT this year. Is this reasonable? I'm in London. I'm very happy with the company so would be OK about paying a bit over the odds, but I'm just wondering.... The fee includes 24 hour support (but not free replacements of parts), plus testing of system and battery.

The visit takes only about 30 mins - but I realise there's the potential costs of support during the rest of the year .

Thanks!

Fluff

victor2

I had a new alarm system last year with 3 PIRs and two other sensors. Was told they'll charge £60 +VAT for annual maintenance plus any parts (probably batteries) that are needed. That's not in London. So your charge doesn't sound too bad.
If it's not a requirement on your house insurance that you have a serviced alarm, you could probably do it yourself - just wipe the PIRs clean, do a walk test and possibly replace batteries if they're wireless.
I was told the bell box battery (it's wireless) in mine should be good for at least two years if it's not been going off a lot. Don't do ladders myself, so I'll probably pay the maintenance fee just to get that checked.
The battery in the alarm panel itself gets recharged through the mains and is hardly used, so should last for many years.

fluffpot

Thanks Victor - that's helpful. The maintenance is a condition of the insurance or else I'd do it myself. Except of course I couldn't check the backup battery unless I have the engineer code...

It's from the pre wireless days - so no other batteries involved!

gas4you

I have a system with 13 sensors in total. I get charged £50 + VAT for the annual service, which takes them about an hour.

Your price sounds ok to me, especially if you like the company.