Table of Contents
DIY installations provide a “high” which is why many people chase after the feeling of accomplishment when they attempt a job themselves.
DIY projects may be ideal for building a crib, furniture, or remodelling your home yourself – but when it comes to security, it is best that you leave the work to professionals.
According to statistics, 63% of burglaries in the UK happen in homes without a basic or efficient security system. This means that if you have installed a security system without consulting with a professional, then chances are that you have left out important blind spots that can potentially jeopardise the security of your home.
If you think about it, burglars look for only one thing before they pick a house to rob: vulnerabilities. Most burglars first closely monitor the homes they choose to break into and make sure that the home is burglar-friendly before they mark a date on their calendar.
So, if you have haphazardly installed security measures around your home, then you might as well leave the front door open and make it even easier for intruders to get in.
In this guide, we will look at the pros and cons of DIY installations vs professional installations in the context of home burglar alarm systems.
DIY PROJECTS – COST SAVINGS OR LOSS INCURRING?
Let’s face it, DIY projects are a great way to take matters into your own hands and have complete autonomy over the completion of a task.
Humans have been DIY-ing for a very long time and have achieved marvellous results – however, in the world of standardisation, DIY projects are becoming more of a burden than a source of joy.
Take security as an example.
Security has always been about strategically placing security hardware to maximise security and using best practices based on successful security layouts to increase detection rates and decrease the chances of loss.
Security systems can be done in a DIY fashion, but unless you are a certified security consultant or contractor, you are bound to make a lot of small mistakes that can lead to very big vulnerabilities in the security of your home.
HOME BURGLAR ALARM INSTALLATION
When it comes to home burglar alarms, these security systems are a common choice for people looking to protect their homes from burglars and intruders. They are an effective deterrent against such threats and are a great way to provide peace of mind to homeowners.
To reap the complete benefits of home burglar alarms so that they can protect you, your loved ones, and your property against security threats, you need to make sure that you install the correct hardware and do so while leaving zero room for error.
A home burglar alarm is made up of several components that all work together to detect intrusions. It typically consists of a control panel, several sensors, and an alarm. The sensors pick up on suspicious activities and trigger the alarm alerting the homeowners and others nearby of the threat. In the case of professional monitoring, it may even alert the police.
As already mentioned, for the home burglar alarm to work efficiently and be a reliable intrusion detection system, it has to be installed properly by someone who understands the importance of correct hardware and proper placement.
The installation process includes installing and setting up the control panel, installing the sensors and detectors, installing the alarm, and testing the system for any potential issues.
There are different types of home burglar alarms to choose from – wired, wireless, bells-only, and monitored systems. DIY burglar alarms are a bit different than regular burglar alarms in that they are slightly less sophisticated, although the components are usually the same and require a certain level of skill to install.
REASONS WHY DIY INSTALLATION OF HOME BURGLAR ALARMS MAY SEEM BENEFICIAL (PROS AND CONS)
Here are some of the reasons why DIY-ing home burglar alarms may seem beneficial to people on the surface.
You can also consider the following points as pros and cons against the argument of taking security matters into your own hands:
Cost Saving
Installation companies, middlemen, and hourly rates are all of the reasons why people think that going the DIY route may be more meaningful. After all, who doesn’t like a lower bill?
While it is true that DIY projects do tend to have a cost-saving aspect to them, most people, however, can lose their way and go for subpar security products that either don’t do as they are advertised or are extremely inefficient.
Quicker to DIY
Is it quicker to do something yourself rather than survey the market for a professional company, then negotiate the scope of work, and then set a date for the work? Yes.
However, the answer isn’t as straightforward as it may seem.
Yes, it is quicker to do a task yourself, but the drawback of going through the process of getting professional help isn’t as unreasonable.
Think about it, do you trust your capabilities as a sole layman to get security hardware, install it yourself, and then configure it on your own?
How many times do you think you will have to revisit the installation just to get it right? And how long will it take after a severe security event to cause you to regret your decision to go the DIY route?
These are all real questions that many homeowners ask after they have been robbed despite having home security measures!
Anyone can install a burglar alarm, but a professional company adds years of experience, best practices, and the best security hardware to maximise security.
So, in the end, if you have incorrectly installed your home security system, you will end up spending more money, and taking even more time than if you had taken the seemingly longer route to get professional help!
DIY Can Help Build Skills
The wonderful thing about DIY projects is that it forces people to learn new skills and develop a resilient mindset to tackle new problems.
DIY projects are by far the best way for people to discover who they are and what they are great at. However, when it comes to security, you should take the educational route to learn how to install security hardware rather than the practical one where you actually install it yourself.
Security consultants are specifically trained and have years of practical experience that makes them qualified to attempt security installations.
Please keep in mind that security consultants didn’t just decide one day to install systems themselves! They go through training, certifications, and the necessary accreditation to deem themselves as professionals.
This means that while you may end up developing new skills by installing security hardware yourself, the losses you might incur along the way might not be worth it at all.
BENEFITS OF PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION OF HOME BURGLAR ALARMS
Now that we have discussed the pros and cons of DIY home burglar alarm installations, let’s take a look at what professional security companies like Calder Security have to offer:
Cost-Savings
Yes, you read that right! You can truly end up saving money if you go with a professional installation company.
The general perception of people seems to be that you have to pay more to get work done by a professional. But the truth is that professional companies use several best practices and get the job done in one go so that you don’t have to constantly revisit the system and keep on paying more for your home security hardware.
For example, if you install the wrong burglar alarm sensor, then you will constantly have to face downtime if the hardware breaks down due to faults caused by exposure to the environment, or something as simple as battery issues in the sensors.
Professional companies aim to get the job done once so that you don’t have to think twice!
These companies use successful blueprints and layouts based on their considerable experience to provide homeowners with a security system that just works without them knowing – and this is exactly the type of security that is seldom found in DIY projects.
Furthermore, security companies have great relations with hardware companies and since they already have extensive experience in purchasing hardware, they can help homeowners get the best price for the hardware – even when compared to market rates!
Professional Standards
Home burglar alarm installations done according to industry standards and best practices will triumph over any installation done by a DIY enthusiast.
Professional security installation companies like Calder Security use industry-leading standards, expertise, and high-quality tools to ensure that the work is done in one go – without fail.
Furthermore, these companies also regularly train their technicians to avoid mistakes. This way, the technicians have a much lower chance of leaving vulnerabilities unaddressed and making sure that the security system is working perfectly.
The important thing to understand here is that you don’t pay these companies for the installation, but rather you pay them for their expertise in the field!
After-Installation Services
The one important thing that DIY projects lack is follow-up services. After the completion of the security installation, there are several factors to look out for.
For example, maintenance, repairs, and spotting potential problems in the alarm systems before they become a nuisance all come under after-installation services.
When a professional security company installs hardware, they provide a maintenance schedule that can help the system run smoothly over the years. Using this schedule, homeowners do not have to ever worry about any sort of downtime.
If the technician spots an issue in the system, they can immediately apply the necessary fixes to prevent any downtime.
Furthermore, wires and electrical equipment are prone to depreciation over time, which means that they might also need replacement. So, if you get work done by a professional company, you can get the replacement parts and get them fixed on the same day!
WHAT CAN YOU DIY?
So, we have established that you cannot DIY most security hardware installations. However, is there something that homeowners can do to feel like they played a part in the installation? Yes!
Here are some of the things that you can DIY:
Draw-up Plans!
While it is not recommended that you install home burglar alarms yourself, it is highly recommended that you plan with the company to make sure that all your needs are addressed.
Coming up with a security plan is just as important as the installation itself. Security companies may provide a blueprint for the layout of the system, but homeowners must also play their part in conveying their expectations from the system.
We recommend that you write down your needs and expectations and draw up security plans of your own according to the area of the house.
Share your security plan with the installation company and work with them to further improve your plan! This way, you can not only play a part in the installation, but you can also feel a sense of accomplishment in the security of your home.
Survey Security Companies
Security systems are only as good as the company and technicians that install them. The truth is, every security hardware does more or less the same thing: it detects threats. So, the function of security hardware isn’t as special as the placement of them around a perimeter.
Going with a good company can allow you to maximise your security. For example, Calder Security uses best practices, industry-leading technicians, and high-quality tools to install various types of home burglar alarm systems.
Professional companies can not only make the job easier for homeowners, but they can also help you futureproof the security system of your home.
But how to find such a company? Well, this is where your DIY skills come in.
We recommend that you conduct a thorough survey of all the companies near your area. Select the best company based on their expertise, after-sale services, and then cost.
For the best results, pick out three companies that fit your needs and expectations. Then, use the processes of elimination to find the best company that speaks to your needs.
Call the company and inquire about their services and experience, and seek their opinion on your desired security system. Some companies can even offer free visit services where a consultant can visit the premises and suggest the best route for the installation of your dream home burglar alarm system.
This way, you can find the right company for the installation and feel partial ownership of the job as well – a win-win!
CONTACT CALDER SECURITY
At Calder Security, we provide a comprehensive range of security solutions that include not just professional installation but also monitoring, maintenance, and repair services.
We are members of the Master Locksmith Association (MLA), approved members of the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB), and also conform to all the relevant British and EU Standards.
We follow all the best practices in the industry and install only high-quality, state-of-the-art security systems.
We offer various levels of monitoring via a 24-hour monitoring centre using Dualcom and BT Redcare signalling, which is the most secure alarm monitoring system and the largest supplier of intelligent alarm signalling services in the UK.
We understand the importance of having to regularly maintain security systems since the inability to do so might result in serious faults and consequent vulnerabilities in your property’s security.
We provide professional maintenance checks and reminders for when the checks are due to help you stay compliant with the law and work fast to restore your security systems to excellent condition.
We offer a 24-hour call-out service for customers and can also repair systems not installed by us. Our engineers are highly skilled and can restore faulty systems to full working order in one visit.
Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 9799 to talk to our experts right away for more information on the benefits of professional installation of home burglar alarm systems!