How to Choose a Professional Installer?
When shopping around for an alarm system, it is likely that individual sales people will try to sell you the most complex system on the market. You will be amazed at the features that can be included in an alarm system, most of which you probably won’t need. To avoid getting something you don’t really need, it’s important to talk with a reputable professional installer.
A professional installer should ask questions about your family’s daily activities, if you are able to “see” your home from your place of work (if that’s something you want to do), and about your need for additional features such as smoke alarms, flood alarms, carbon-monoxide alerts, and so forth. Furthermore, a professional will be able to point out the most important entry points so you might not even need a contact on every window in the house.
Below are tips for finding a reputable alarm installer:
- After gathering the relevant information about your home as specified in the "Step by Step Guide" , contact three installers to compare prices for the equipment and the installation.
- Over the phone, give the installers the relevant information about your home. Based on a few general questions about your house's size, number of rooms, number of doors, etc. the installer should be able to give you an estimated price quote. However, a company representative or the independent installer must visit your home to give an exact price, including equipment and installation costs.
- When the installer visits your home, he will ask where the safe is or where valuable items are kept. While this may make you feel uncomfortable, answering these questions honestly will make for a more accurate price quote and a more effective alarm system.
- Ask for how long you will be tied to a contract; whether you own or are leasing the equipment; and what is included in the warranty.
- Be wary of firms that quote crime figures for your area to sell you an alarm – they are often made up. The Office for National Statistics in your region will have the correct figures.
