As you begin to consider home security systems you will realize that many companies will not only sell you an alarm system for your home, but they are really trying to sell you a contract to monitor the security system for you.
Some of the home security companies will actually give away the system free just to get you to contract with their monitoring service.
The main job of the company is to respond quickly, efficiently and politely when your alarm goes off.
The choosing of a home security system with a company to monitor it does require some research from you.
What you want is a company with a history of quality service in the area where you live.
You also want a company that uses the latest technology in their facilities and offers the latest technology for your home.
I approach the home security company selection process just like I would any other important purchase in my life.
It is always great if you can get recommendations from neighbors or friends, but it's worth the time to do in person interviews with different companies.
Yes, they will have some sales people telling you all the good things they do.
To get past the initial fluff, ask for a copy of the different plans including equipment and monitoring service they offer.
I usually meet with at least three companies, may be four or five.
Gather the information and begin to compare the companies writing down your questions as you go along.
I then talk to a manager at the companies I am interested in and then I will be able to make a final decision.
This whole process may take a few hours over a couple of weeks.
You can also look at consumer review magazines to get input on your decision.
When you begin to interview the different companies ask them all the same questions starting with how long the company has been in business and do they have two or three references you can call.
These questions go to the core of a good service business and help you evaluate the company service apart from the technology.
After you get answers as to the quality of service the home security provides, then it is time to proceed to the technology aspect of the project.
The main criteria for the technology part of your decision is how well the company can adopt the system to suit your needs.
If you choose to go with the absolute latest technology such as wireless systems and cameras, motion detectors and talking alarms, they need to be set up in a way that is easy for you to operate without having to call the security company all the time to get help running it.
You also will want a system that you can add options to in the future if you decide to.
Just talking to the company about their technology recommendations will give you an idea of how up to date they are, even if you do not understand all the lingo.
Asking questions about the company personnel that will install the security system will also alert you to each companies approach.
You want them to have licensed, full-time employees that perform this task.
If the company uses sub-contractors to set up the system, they should at least do this on a full time basis, not part-timers doing this as a side job.
Ask for proof that the installers have the proper qualifications to work on the security system installation for your home.
The last segment you will learn about will be what kind of staff the company has that will actually monitor your alarm.
You will not be able to help getting a feel for each company's quality just by talking to a couple of different people at each one.
To determine the quality of the staff ask the manager of the business.
What kind of training and background does their staff have? Asking what type of on the job experience they have will help you determine quality as well.
Do they use armed guards or unarmed? Do they have firearms training? Use a short list of questions and then compare the answers of each company.
Whoever you choose for your home security service is being paid to provide you with quality service.
Don't hesitate to ask tough questions to any of them.
You don't want to wish later that you had.
You want to make sure you are getting high quality service for such an important decision, so you do not always want to go with the lowest offer for the service.
The end result may not be what you want.