Alarm contract

alexb123

Hi All, We pay £30+ a month for our alarm service, which is maintenance and someone calling us if the alarm goes off. However, we feel this is poor value for money as some calls, if we don't answer, which is common, then we are none the wiser. A simple text would be a much better system. Also, they can't even tell us if the alarm is still going off. The alarm system is only 3 years old. I'd expected better tech than this.

Anyway, are people able to change their contract over to the other companies? Our alarm is with a small local firm and it has their name on the box. 

Thanks

cymruchris

What’s in your original contract? Did you pay for the alarm and it’s installation? Or was it a subsidised install in exchange for signing up for a monitored system? Who owns the alarm system that’s fitted? 

Aylesbury_Duck

As chris says, the answer will be in the terms of your contract.

If you can exit your contract, then consider a smart alarm system.  I have a Yale one.  Cost me around £250 I think.  Works on the wifi, all the sensors are wireless and it notifies me by app alert, email and text when triggered.  You can buy extra sensors for various doors, windows, sheds, etc.  It does what I need it to do and the only ongoing cost is batteries which cost less than a fiver a year.

DoaM

We have a smart alarm system, installed by a local installer, that alerts us via an app (ProControl+) if the alarm is going off.

alexb123

Cheers all will look into these

dreamypuma

DoaM said:

We have a smart alarm system, installed by a local installer, that alerts us via an app (ProControl+) if the alarm is going off.

Sounds like a Pyronix system. How are you finding the reliability of this? Are you paying an annual subscription for this?

I'm thinking of upgrading my older Pyronix Enforcer system to this, or switching to an Orisec system (no annual subscription).

DoaM

dreamypuma said:

DoaM said:

We have a smart alarm system, installed by a local installer, that alerts us via an app (ProControl+) if the alarm is going off.

Sounds like a Pyronix system. How are you finding the reliability of this? Are you paying an annual subscription for this?

I'm thinking of upgrading my older Pyronix Enforcer system to this, or switching to an Orisec system (no annual subscription).

Yes, it's a Pyronix Enforcer system with wireless sensors ... no annual contract required. We find it works OK, once you get used to it. (Set alarm, open front door, close front door, then either let the alarm timeout to set or hold the Set button on the remote for a few seconds to force set it. Likewise on return, unset when approaching the house, or open the door then unset. I find the alarm setting can be unreliable if you try to set it after leaving the house).

dreamypuma

Thanks Doam. Good to know.

I've added some additional components to our system, so quite deep into the eco system. (Shock sensors, additional siren).  We'll look at changing out panel to the newer one for connectivity. 

Not tied to any contracts, more recently we have been paying £70 for ad-hoc servicing with a local.

doccer1967

Hi we are moving home and we are required to get an alarm system (Bloody insurance). 
I am looking at ensuring the technology is app-based and I do not require monitoring from a 3rd party - or at least I want the option not to choose this. 
So looking for recommendations on:
Kit/hardware
Get installers to install, what do I need to look for?

Any help appreciated  
thanks

davidmcn

doccer1967 said:

Hi we are moving home and we are required to get an alarm system (Bloody insurance).

Does the bloody insurance company specify any bloody requirements?

cymruchris

doccer1967 said:

what do I need to look for?

Your own thread would be a good start

You need to find something in line with whatever the insurance company specifies - or change insurance company.