Basic or complex? You’ll have to ask yourself that question when choosing a security system for your home. A basic security system will start at about $300 and go up to about $1,000. High-tech systems can cost as much as $25,000. Watch Part Two in a video series on home security systems and learn what options to expect with basic and complex security systems.

Fill out 1 Form and Get 4 Free Home Security System Quotes from Local Security Companies – To start click the Home tab.

There are indoor and outdoor systems. There are complex and simple systems as well. But, whichever system you go with, you’ll want to be sure to start with hiring a reputable home security company. Kudzu.com provides some tips on how to find a quality home security company.

Fill out 1 Form and Get 4 Quotes on a Home Security System. Start now by clicking on the Home tab.

Burglar Alarm System Basics

How Do Burglar Alarm Systems Work?

Burglar alarm systems provide more than security to families, they provide peace of mind.

Education is the first step and awareness of how it operates is important in making an educated decision. Let’s take a closer look at the main pieces of the system to see how it operates.

Alarm Control Panel – This is the brains and heart of the entire system. Without it, the alarm system simply would not work. These are always found in a locked metal control box and mounted in a closet or garage out of the way.

Alarm System Keypad – Alarm system keypads are the primary interface with the burglar alarm system. Keypads can come in all shapes and sizes with different features and options. It is used to arm and disarm the alarm system, bypass zones, troubleshoot alarm issues, and more. These are controlled by a punch code or can also remotely be armed/disarmed by a key fob.

Alarm System Key Fobs – Alarm key fobs are becoming very popular and offer convenience for those who use them. It is similar to a car remote. The various key fob models offer different features and options but are primarily used for convenience. Some models of the key fob allow you to arm and disarm your alarm system from outside of your home. Some key fobs even have panic buttons enabled on them for extra security.

Motion Detectors – There are numerous kinds of motion detectors to choose from for both hardwired and wireless burglar alarm systems. Some are very simple and straightforward, while others are a bit more expensive and complicated. Essentially, motion detectors work to detect movement in areas where they are installed.

Door and Window Sensors – These are important to a home alarm system and provide sensors on the ground floor doors and windows. If a sensor on a door or window is opened when an alarm system is armed, it will cause the alarm to trip. Depending on how the sensors are programmed, a door or window that is opened while the alarm is disarmed can be set to chime locally in the home.

Glass Break Detectors – Glass break sensors are amazing devices to have on any burglar alarm systems. A burglar can get into a home undetected through a contacted window, if he shatters the glass and never opens the window to break contact. A glass break sensor, however, would detect the sound of the breaking glass and trigger an immediate alarm.

Alarm Sirens and Speakers – Sirens and speakers make noise when a armed zone is breached. Having a local siren is always a good idea, regardless if an alarm is monitored or not. First and foremost, sound scares off burglars. It can also help police locate a home. In all cases, we recommend that any homes with unmonitored burglar alarm systems should install a siren or speaker for use as a deterrent and for added protection.

Power Supply – Burglar alarm systems require power to operate, regardless if they are hardwired or wireless. An alarm power transformer or power supply plugs into an electrical outlet in the home and powers the burglar alarm system to make it run and operate efficiently.

Back-up Battery – All burglar alarm systems should have a back-up battery installed in them. If a home ever loses power, for any reason, the back-up battery will kick in and will power the alarm until the electricity is restored. Depending on the size and the condition of the system battery, this back-up protection can last a couple of hours up to a few days.

We make the alarm system buying process easy. Fill out 1 form and get back 4 burglar alarm quotes from some of the best security companies in the market.

Verified Response Shortens Police Response Time

Police response deserves top priority.

Securing your home or business with a state-of-the-art security system goes a long way in assuring the safety of your possessions. But do not get lulled into a false sense of security. Know the facts and do not become a “penny wise and pound foolish” when choosing your system.

Police response time deserves top priority when narrowing down your search for the best home security technology to select for your home or business. The average response time can vary a lot depending on both the technology and the company that you choose to monitor your security system. When a security alarm is triggered, it is ideal to have the security company doing more than simply alerting the police.

Alarm responses directed to the police are quite ineffectual due to the large number of false alarms triggered every day. According to a police survey at one of the cities in the U.S, the average home alarm response time was forty-five minutes. Since then, it became mandatory that home security companies confirm and attempt to “verify”security alarms before police take up the issue.

New technology and approaches such as 2-way voice, enhanced call verification, multiple zone configurations and audio / video monitoring all allow the alarm company to dispatch at a higher priority level than one that is unverified. We have seen up to a 20 minute reduction in response time since the police know that the threat is real.

When talking to an alarm company, compare their guidelines and at the same time, contact your local police department to know which company’s response time is the shortest.

This is especially important if you live in a remote or secluded area, where the prospects of someone hearing the security alarm is close to nil. Add to it the long alarm response time by disreputable home security companies and you can be positive of having your property burgled beyond belief, by the time the police arrive.

Consider Police Response Time When Selecting a Security Company

Burglar alarm prices can widely vary but overall having a monitored burglar alarm system is fairly inexpensive relative to the value it creates.

Many of our providers have inexpensive basic hard wired or wireless packages that include the control panel, keypad, and a set of motion sensors and door contacts and average around $300.

The upgrades are what create a higher installation cost but these are “one-time” expenses.  Some of the upgrades include:

• Touch screen keypads
• 2-Way Audio allowing the user to talk to the monitoring center
• Verified systems which speeds up police response time
• Ability to control the system through a hand held device
• Access via the internet
• Higher grade motion detection
• Video Surveillance
• Card access or code controlled doors

Each of these upgrades adds cost to the system but don’t be a “penny wise, pound foolish”. The purpose of the system is to protect your family and most people do not regularly switch providers. So take the time and meet with a security consultant and have a custom proposal drawn up that adequately protects your location. It may sound like a lot of work and more expensive, but that is rarely the case.

Also make sure you consider the monthly cost of the monitoring service. It typically falls in the range of $20 to $40 per month. But once again, the upgrades listed above can also impact this rate.

If you are ready to start talking to security system companies in your area, we have made it easy. Our quick form located on the Home tab allows you to submit a fast, easy and free request for a security system quote.

Fill it out today and get the best burglar alarm prices.

Burglar Alarm System Basics

How Do Burglar Alarm Systems Work?

Burglar alarm systems provide more than security to families, they provide peace of mind.

Education is the first step and awareness of how it operates is important in making an educated decision. Let’s take a closer look at the main pieces of the system to see how it operates.

Alarm Control Panel – This is the brains and heart of the entire system. Without it, the alarm system simply would not work. These are always found in a locked metal control box and mounted in a closet or garage out of the way.

Alarm System Keypad – Alarm system keypads are the primary interface with the burglar alarm system. Keypads can come in all shapes and sizes with different features and options. It is used to arm and disarm the alarm system, bypass zones, troubleshoot alarm issues, and more. These are controlled by a punch code or can also remotely be armed/disarmed by a key fob.

Alarm System Key Fobs – Alarm key fobs are becoming very popular and offer convenience for those who use them. It is similar to a car remote. The various key fob models offer different features and options but are primarily used for convenience. Some models of the key fob allow you to arm and disarm your alarm system from outside of your home. Some key fobs even have panic buttons enabled on them for extra security.

Motion Detectors – There are numerous kinds of motion detectors to choose from for both hardwired and wireless burglar alarm systems. Some are very simple and straightforward, while others are a bit more expensive and complicated. Essentially, motion detectors work to detect movement in areas where they are installed.

Door and Window Sensors – These are important to a home alarm system and provide sensors on the ground floor doors and windows. If a sensor on a door or window is opened when an alarm system is armed, it will cause the alarm to trip. Depending on how the sensors are programmed, a door or window that is opened while the alarm is disarmed can be set to chime locally in the home.

Glass Break Detectors – Glass break sensors are amazing devices to have on any burglar alarm systems. A burglar can get into a home undetected through a contacted window, if he shatters the glass and never opens the window to break contact. A glass break sensor, however, would detect the sound of the breaking glass and trigger an immediate alarm.

Alarm Sirens and Speakers – Sirens and speakers make noise when a armed zone is breached. Having a local siren is always a good idea, regardless if an alarm is monitored or not. First and foremost, sound scares off burglars. It can also help police locate a home. In all cases, we recommend that any homes with unmonitored burglar alarm systems should install a siren or speaker for use as a deterrent and for added protection.

Power Supply – Burglar alarm systems require power to operate, regardless if they are hardwired or wireless. An alarm power transformer or power supply plugs into an electrical outlet in the home and powers the burglar alarm system to make it run and operate efficiently.

Back-up Battery – All burglar alarm systems should have a back-up battery installed in them. If a home ever loses power, for any reason, the back-up battery will kick in and will power the alarm until the electricity is restored. Depending on the size and the condition of the system battery, this back-up protection can last a couple of hours up to a few days.

We make the alarm system buying process easy. Fill out 1 form and get back 4 burglar alarm quotes from some of the best security companies in the market.

Choosing a Security Company

Does it matter what security company you choose?

This is a question that we get a lot. The answer is simple – “YES”.

Nearly all security companies use similar alarm system technology such as Ademco, GE, Honeywell, etc. One could argue the merits of one versus the other but it is analogous to arguing which is a better car – Ford, Chevrolet, BMW, etc.  They all essentially get you where you need to go albeit some arrive faster and in better condition.

The differences are unfortunately more pronounced yet harder to detect – the price, add-ons, installation, service and support. Presuming the technology is comparable, this area would be more analogous to which is a better small airplane – one that is assembled and serviced properly or one that is not? You won’t really know unless you do a little homework! And if you are in an airplane that was not assembled properly or maintained…prepare for a hard landing.

You do not want this to happen with something that is protecting what should be the most important thing in your life – your family and your home.  Take time to look beyond price and focus more on overall value. What do you get for your money? Most security companies lose money on the installation in hopes that you will allow them to monitor your system for 3 – 5 years. So take advantage of the initial pricing concessions and get a system that will adequately protect your home. Future posts will start to look more closely at some of these differences.

Services like ours help you sift through a lot of the marketing noise. By filling out a single Request for Quotation – you will receive quotes from 4 of the top providers in your market.

Our service will help you find the perfect security company!

Crime Report: Discover the safest cities and lowest crime neighborhoods in any city or town, before you buy a home or site facility.

Additionally, discover the types (violent or property) of crimes common to any particular neighborhood. Our exclusive crime data are developed for each neighborhood using our mathematical algorithms and municipal crime statistics from the FBI and the U.S. Justice Department.

The FBI combines data from over 17,000 local law enforcement agencies to calculate the “crime index”. Index crimes are the eight crimes the FBI combines to produce its annual crime index.

The index seeks to overcome differences in individual state statues – that would ignore how the individual is charged – and create a standardized definition of crime classification. This was done through defining serious and non-serious offenses. Part I crimes are comprised of serious felonies and Part II crimes are comprised of non-serious felonies and misdemeanors. Together these two types of classifications make up the crimes reported in the Uniform Crime Reports.

These offenses include willful homicide, forcible rape, robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, larceny over $50, motor vehicle theft, and arson. In order to compare statistical information on a national basis the FBI came up with a common definition for crime comparison.

Click here to see the Top 100 Safest Cities to Live In.