Home Security: Choosing a Security Alarm System

admin — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:06:42 +0000

If you have valuable property (jewellery, television sets, computers, other electronic equipment, etc.) in your home, if your home is left unattended for extended periods, while you are at work or away on vacation, or you just want more protection then you may want to consider installing a quality alarm system.

The FBI recently announced that over a ten-year period, on average 1 out of every 4 homes throughout the nation would be burglarized. These statistics mean that it makes sense to protect your home with a good home-security system.

There are many different burglar alarm systems available today, before you buy a particular system, your should give careful thought to what kind of system your want. This will stop you buying more than you actually need, while making sure that you obtain the level of protection you require.

Check out the different brands and types of systems, talk to friends and neighbors that have alarm systems and see what they have to say. I recommend that you get quotes from at least three security alarm companies about their product and service prior to purchasing any alarm system. But remember, the cheapest may well not be the best; you get what you pay for especially when it comes to home-security.

Choosing Your System.

Here are a few questions you might ask when considering an alarm system:

1. How will I know the right company to choose when considering an alarm system?

2. How much protection do I need?

3. How much will it all cost?

Tips to help you when choosing an alarm company

1. Ask about insurance. You need to check that the installer has adequate insurance this protects you! If the company is not properly protected, any claim or loss could become your responsibility!

2. Ask for the company’s city business license, which allows them to do business in your community.

3. Ask for referrals to other customers in your area that have had systems installed like the one being proposed to you.

4. Check your contract! Read it carefully before you sign; make sure everything is agreed upon in writing. Know what the warranty period is and what is included in the warranty.

5. Ask if the company has been established for at least 3-5 years. That’s not to say you shouldn’t use a new company but you might want to be more careful if you do.

6. Ask about the monitoring, is it going to be local or outside your state.

7. Make sure that the company does its own installation and down not subcontract work out.

We do not recommend any individual company, there are many excellent installers out there, but you do need to do your own research, remember it’s your home you are going to be protecting.

Now that we have covered the main physical details about protecting your home, in part seven I will start to cover some of the other things you should take into consideration.

By: Roger Overanout

Home Improvement Guide – Choosing a Good and Affordable Contractor

admin — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:36:32 +0000

When making home improvements, some homeowners choose to handle the
project themselves. However, individuals with little home improvement
knowledge will have to rely on a contractor. Selecting a good and
affordable contractor is essential. Because some contractors are shady and
charge ridiculously high fees, picking the right contractor requires
research. Here are a few tips to help you pick the best contractor for your
next home improvement project.

Get Referrals from Family and Friends

Asking family and friends for the name of a good contractor may prove
worthwhile. If a relative or acquaintance completed similar home
improvements, and were satisfied with the work, using the same contractor may
speed up the selection process. Trying to identify a shady contractor
is difficult. Using referrals to select a contractor will increase your
chances of finding a reputable home improvement company.

Browse Contractors Listed in the Yellow Pages

If your friends and family cannot refer a good contractor, you will
have to rely on the yellow pages and other forms of advertisements. The
yellow pages include many listings, which makes the selection process
challenging. Rule of thumb: do not hire the first contractor you contact.
Instead, request information and quotes from several companies.

Get an estimate and ask how long it will take to complete the job. Each
company will quote you slight different estimates. It is tempting to
choose the least expensive contractor. However, keep in mind that more
expensive contractors may use better materials or has a reputation for
good work.

Research Contractors with the Better Business Bureau

As you begin your search for a good contractor, contact the Better
Business Bureau (BBB) in your local area. If a contractor or company has
received any complaints from past customers or has developed a bad
reputation, the BBB will have this information. While browsing contractors,
choose one with a flawless record.

Along with researching complaints by the BBB, request references from
the contractor. Ideally, references should be current and include
customers that had similar work completed on their homes. Contact previous
customers to see if they were satisfied with the contractor’s work.

By: Carrie Reeder

Home Improvement » Referrals

Home Security: Choosing a Security Alarm System

Home Improvement Guide – Choosing a Good and Affordable Contractor