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Alarm Systems

People who buy alarm systems are often attracted to companies who offer monitored alarm systems at discounted prices. Although there are advantages to buying this way, there are also a few disadvantages.

Although companies who sell alarm systems will often speak as if you are getting equipment for free if you use their monitoring company, this is not necessarily true. Even though they may say the equipment is “free,” the fact is that you need to sign a three-year contract in order to get this “free” equipment.

Most monitoring contracts will cost anywhere from $25-$50 for monitoring per month. Over the course of the three-year term of the contracts, people could pay well over $1,000. This does not mean that having monitored alarm systems is a bad idea, but it does mean that you should be aware of what you are getting into before you start.

It is also important to remember that when you get a “free” system, this does not typically include all of the equipment that you want or need for your home. Most “free” alarm systems only include a couple of door sensors and one motion detector. Rarely is this enough to protect a whole home or business, especially if your home is big.

If you want more equipment, it will cost you. Window and door sensors can cost up around $100 each and motion detectors can cost around $200 each. This does not mean that you should not take advantage of offers given to you by security companies, but you should always understand that the alarm systems you are looking into are not really going to be free.