When it comes to home security, every homeowner wants what’s best for their precious houses. Besides, those are big investments and at the same time, we all want our families to be safe and secure. Most homeowners opt for buying security systems and install those themselves. This is a huge mistake, especially since we are not experts on the subject.
I myself regret buying and installing my own CCTV system. I have always been the type to worry about me and my family’s safety but at the same time, I love being able to save up by doing these things myself. However, doing this has made me anxious and worried about not being able to do it right. So a few months back, I ended up calling a home security company that specializes in installing quality security systems and asked them to install their products in my own house. From then on, I’ve been worry-free since I know that professionals installed my security alarm system and that they have definitely done it right.
Aside from this, I am going to discuss why I regret buying and installing my own monitored alarms.
I Have Had a Difficult Time Installing It
Home alarm systems are difficult and very complex to install. It definitely contains more than one step, and you would have to spend hours just reading and understanding the manual. If you still cannot get a grasp of the instructions, then you would have to call customer service and talk to them for hours. Talking to someone on the phone while installing a camera system is actually more difficult and can get frustrating and confusing.
Cheap and Do-it-Yourself Monitored Alarms Do not Have Enough Features
DIY security systems often lack a lot of the most important security features. You will most likely get the most basic alarm system, which is a big no-no since we are talking about your home security here. Most professional security companies offer packages that include backup batteries, motion detectors, fire alarms, panic buttons, redundant alerts, wireless security, and more.
No Guarantees or Warranties
Since you will be installing your own alarm system, chances are the company that you bought the system from won’t replace or repair your equipment since you installed them yourself. It would not be covered by the company’s warranty if you install it incorrectly, and they would just say that it is your own fault because you installed it wrong.
You would Possibly be Spending More
We think that if we buy our own security system and install them ourselves, we would be spending less. This is actually not the case, as we would possibly have to buy more add-ons, making us spend more than what we have actually bargained for. You might have realized that you bought a plain and basic security system, and now you have to buy the add-ons just to be safe. If you have a lot of windows, then you must consider getting multiple sensors. Buying each component separately will definitely cost you a lot more in the long run.
Quality is not that Good
I’ve noticed that my alarm system is a bit off, which is why I got professionals to install a new one. The reason behind this is that do-it-yourself alarm systems are often mass-produced, which is why they often have poor quality.
DIY Security Systems can Easily be Hacked
Hackers are always upping their game every single day and most of them are targeting DIY home security systems. Thieves can easily deactivate cheap alarm systems, and the way that they manipulate these things is actually pretty scary. DIY security alarms use the most basic hardware and software, which is the reason why hackers can easily trace the PIN numbers that you put in on the system.
It’s too much of a Hassle
When you install a DIY security system, you would have to monitor the CCTV and the cameras manually. This means you would have to install apps and check on it on your smartphone, tablets, and desktops 24/7, which can be a hassle especially if you are always away from your home. At the same time, this will automatically slow your internet connection down and will affect your bandwidth (which by the way can cost you more).
The Authorities would not be Able to Watch your Home
Wireless home security systems that are handled by professionals can be monitored by the police and the authorities. This means that even while you and your family are gone for a vacation, the authorities can still keep an eye on your home. With DIY security systems though, all it does is send you notifications and that is it. It is not possible to connect it to the authorities, which is a big bummer.
I guess what I am trying to say here is that getting a DIY alarm system is just not worth it. You would have to think about a lot of things, plus the stress and anxiety that it can cause can be debilitating. Get a professional to install a home security alarm in your home today and trust me, you will never regret it.
Photo by Alex Knight