The pros set up the system, activate it and show you how to use it. One system we recently reviewed positively, Vivint, occasionally runs promo codes for free professional installation (listed at a $199 value) and a $0 activation fee. Higher-tier kits add bells and whistles like smart cameras and connected deadbolts.Īn obvious benefit is that these systems take away the headache of setup. The three-tier approach is common, starting at base systems that give you devices like alarms, door/window sensors and control panels. These often come as preestablished kits, often offered in tiers. If finding deals and fiddling with your own monitoring system isn't your cup of tea, professional systems offer something a little more painless. Wyze also has a $1.25 per camera per month Cam Plus subscription program that unlocks features like person detection and package detection. Additional add-ons can also help you both customize your system and keep on budget. If you don't need the latest and greatest, and are on a budget, a refurbished device can give you decent home monitoring. For instance, SimpliSafe allows you to save 25% by purchasing refurbished devices directly from the company. Wyze offers an optional $5-a-month plan for 24/7 home monitoring - an impressively cheap plan that will call you if the system gets tripped and contact emergency services if unable to reach you.ĭIY options often give additional ways to save, too. DIY systems also tend to be very affordable for home monitoring. These subscriptions are optional, with no long-term contracts or cancellation fees. Different companies offer different prices: Ring Alarm lets you self-monitor for $30 a year, for instance, but also offers 24/7 professional monitoring for $100 a year. SimpliSafe is one of the most popular DIY systems on the market.Īn interesting feature of DIY systems is that you can often get professional monitoring as an optional add-on - or you can self-monitor, a more affordable middle way between professional monitoring and nothing. Conversely, even distinctly DIY systems like Ring offer professional help if you don't want to follow the setup guides online. Xfinity and Brinks are two examples here. Other companies that have traditionally required professional installation are offering DIY options, too, these days. Such systems include Ring Alarm, SimpliSafe, Abode, Wyze and others. While you can sometimes pay for extra help, you're pretty much on your own for installation - but the devices are usually fairly pain-free to set up since average customers are the target audience. You might add certain devices to a cart right on the website, or select them with a salesperson over the phone. DIY servicesĪ true DIY system allows you to build your kit before purchase. If you have a small home or apartment, systems like Ring Alarm, SimpliSafe and Abode will make much more sense than a professional system, just from a cost perspective. DIY security systems are generally much more easily down-scalable. Messiness aside, though, the general categories are still helpful - especially when it comes to price differences. Let's look at these differences in more depth and help you decide which is right for you. Which option you choose will depend on a number of factors, including your budget, desire for convenience, familiarity with smart home tech and time. DIY systems also tend to have no contract or long-term commitments. A true DIY system does not have monthly monitoring or offers monthly monitoring optionally. You can often customize and install your own system. DIY services, on the other hand, generally allow for more customization, both in hardware and monitoring subscription options. Some also involve contracts or longer-term payment plans. Generally speaking, professional systems offer larger, predetermined kits to start, and require professional installation. So how do you make sense of all the services on the market? Often systems offer a combination of both. If you're looking into buying home security, you'll notice that plenty of companies throw around the terms "DIY" and "professional installation." Some home security companies allow you to choose from established kits and send professionals to install them while others let you customize your starting setup and install the devices yourself.
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