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Home Alarm System - DIY or Fitted recommendations..

Kat88
Posts: 60 Forumite
Hi All,
I am due to move house very soon, it's a relatively safe area and I've noticed half the homes on my new estate have alarms and half don't. I've decided to go ahead with an alarm, but am wondering how easy it is to fit one yourself. It's a new build so no previous alarm and I'd like to go wireless to avoid needing to run cables all over the house. If anyone has any experience of setting up there own wireless alarms and how easy it was I'd be really interested to know. Is it easy enough to do yourself or would you recommend leaving it to the experts? Any specific alarm brands/systems that you'd recommend?
I am due to move house very soon, it's a relatively safe area and I've noticed half the homes on my new estate have alarms and half don't. I've decided to go ahead with an alarm, but am wondering how easy it is to fit one yourself. It's a new build so no previous alarm and I'd like to go wireless to avoid needing to run cables all over the house. If anyone has any experience of setting up there own wireless alarms and how easy it was I'd be really interested to know. Is it easy enough to do yourself or would you recommend leaving it to the experts? Any specific alarm brands/systems that you'd recommend?
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Comments
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Wireless alarms are easy to install yourself but will only put off casual or opportunistic intruders. A serious burgler will have ways of getting past them. a Wired in system with battery back up is the most secure.Changing the world, one sarcastic comment at a time.0
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Are you looking to get reduced insurance? If so you'll need a pro fitted system...0
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I'm not sure what a pro fitted system is? Not really fussed about doing it for reduced insurance, more so for safety. I don't completely understand why a wired system is more secure than a wireless?0
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If you get an expensive professionally fitted & maintained system you can get a discount on your home insurance. With our home insurance it would have to be a discount of about 500% to make it worthwhile.
The theory is that Mr Burglar can block or interfere with the radio signal from your detectors to your control panel. I wouldn't worry about it unless you have lots of expensive stuff & very determined & knowledgeable burglars.Tall, dark & handsome. Well two out of three ain't bad.0 -
Also if you have an alarm and make a claim on your insurance there can be a hefty excess to pay.0
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depending on the amount of contents insured, your insurer may insist on a certified alarm instal. These usually come with a service contract.0
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Really you should be having the alarm installed in compliance with BS EN 50131, which will not be a DIY job and will also require annual servicing.0
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I'm not sure what a pro fitted system is? Not really fussed about doing it for reduced insurance, more so for safety. I don't completely understand why a wired system is more secure than a wireless?
Alarms/security tends to be either a visual attempt to scare mr burglar away or covert smart water, hidden cams etc neither really stop anyone..... Best is to fit dead locks to doors, locks to windows, don’t leave doors/ windows open,.net curtains to stop prying eyes, Join neighborhood watch and probably best buy a dog… Some people mark there goods, note all the serial numbers etc some don’t want there old tat back and just want to claim for lots of shiny new things so the last is personal preference…. If its not for insurance then wireless are fine as a visual...0 -
Really you should be having the alarm installed in compliance with BS EN 50131, which will not be a DIY job and will also require annual servicing.
This. To get a proper discount on your home insurance you need to have a compliant alarm, as well as it to be NIC fitted. On top of that, the alarm should be serviced which is around £50 a year.
Any discount you get from your insurance will cover the cost of your alarm servicing, and don't forget that if you get burgled and your alarm wasn't activated, you might not be covered on your insurance.
The way I see it is that an alarm is a deterrent to prevent the mither of going through insurance, premium increases etc.Cashback
Total Quidco since 2007: £166.64
Total TCB since 2012: £398
Competition Wins
5* Break in Scotland0 -
Why don’t you try Think Protection. I read about them on a blog. They are cheap and has no contract and has all sorts of devices with all the latest features and btw don't use devices from different brands. They will result in compatibility issues!0
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