Burglar Alarm

Kim_kim

I’m interested in a burglar alarm, but clueless.

I don’t think I want a free install monthly payment for monitoring system - as I imagine that’s a very expensive way of buying?

I live alone and have no pets, but I may get a cat in the future.

I think I’d like a big box outside as a deterrent and a panic button by my bed that would set off the alarm if anyone ever broke in at night.
Other than that, the usual stuff.

2 bed small semi. 1 front door, 1 set of french doors.
I use an apple smart phone and a nest smart heating system.

Any advice?

I’m Surrey, any ideas of cost - roughly.

societys_child

Various wireless systems from ~£60 upwards.

(outdoor wireless, solar powered boxes and extra door sensors etc if needed can be bought separately)
Put a sim card in and it can text you when the alarm is set/unset, informs if there's a power cut (does have a back-up battery) and phones you if the alarm is triggered, amongst other things.

I installed one of these about 3 yrs ago

(panic buttons are built into the remote control fobs)



. . . others are available


Edit: This link gives more options

Kim_kim

societys_child wrote: »

Various wireless systems from ~£60 upwards.

(outdoor wireless, solar powered boxes and extra door sensors etc if needed can be bought separately)
Put a sim card in and it can text you when the alarm is set/unset, informs if there's a power cut (does have a back-up battery) and phones you if the alarm is triggered, amongst other things.

I installed one of these about 3 yrs ago

(panic buttons are built into the remote control fobs)



. . . others are available


Edit: This link gives more options

I would need it installed, sorry I should have said.

Heedtheadvice

The Which? independant reviews gave Texecom brand as a best buy. I purchased a Veritas system and have been very pleased with it.



Mine is a hard wired system, best option IMHO but much more of a pain to install and likely a wireless system is most commonly installed being much easier than running in cables to link sensors control units and sounder/bell.



Like most systems various options are available you can see them in the links above and on manufacturers web sites.


Do you wish to install yourself (wireless option easiest with minimal cabling) or ha e a system installed by a supplier? If the latter then Texecom installers for your area at https://www.texe.com/uk/stockists/country/south-east-england/


I am not suggesting Texecom are the best there are many manufacturers and installers so it pays to look at several offerings and quotes.


Some basic info. Control units usually have two modes. A user mode for your normal and operational use. An engineer mode to set up the system and maintain. Each has it's own 'passsword' and your installer need not know your own one but you should keep a record of the engineer oe to enable you or others rather than the installer to maintain.


You most likely can set up with more than one zone (house areas or sensor locations) so they can be very flexible. At night for example you could have a zone set to trigger alarm if doors/windows/non occupied areas (other than say your bedroom/hall/bathroom) sense intruders and also have a panick button too. Alarms can be linked to fire, carbon monoxide and other sensors, have high visibility strobe lights on the exterior and tamper proof sounders/bells.


Hope that gives you a heads up for starters. Lots of info on the web.....

Heedtheadvice

You answered one question before I posted!


Which report on costs at https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/burglar-alarms-and-home-security/article/burglar-alarms-and-home-security/burglar-alarm-and-installation-costs
If you are not a member to see the detail well worth signing up. You could save a lot more than the cost and get info on what to choose and how to install it. Costs vary widely from about £200- to well over £1k so you are doing the right thing and thinking first!

societys_child

Kim_kim wrote: »

I would need it installed, sorry I should have said.

There is very little to "install" it's wireless . . . ie no wires!





and comes with a comprehensive manual.


Even I can do it :j


If you can use a mobile phone, you can install one of these, but an outside bell box might need a man with a ladder

Kim_kim

societys_child wrote: »

There is very little to "install" it's wireless . . . ie no wires!





and comes with a comprehensive manual.


Even I can do it :j


If you can use a mobile phone, you can install one of these, but an outside bell box might need a man with a ladder

I’ll definitely need it installed.

longwalks1

We bought and fitted a Visonic Powermax complete alarm, with extra siren box, wireless pet friendly PIR sensors, extra door and window switches for our garden sheds etc I think it cost about £450 all in. Me and a colleague fitted it one saturday afternoon, following the manual. It wasnt massively complicated, but some technical knowledge would help as the menus can be a little long winded. Maybe a relative who knows about computers etc?