We had cable company Security system on our last rental and I was less than thrilled with the system on every level.

What say you?
Do you get involved at all or farm it out?
Do you build systems and partner with a monitoring service.

I have always wanted to build my own system and since there will be miles of Cat cable going into this home, now will be the time, but if it makes more sense to have a company do it all I am ok with that.

If you build your own what brands do you use. The last company I worked for when I went to the warehouse to pick up cameras there appears to be a ton of rebadging from china going on.

Hire a pro and be done with it.

So is using the cable company systems considered hiring a pro?
Do they compare at all?
Before I sit down with any reps I want my gun to be properly loaded.
I am not committed to doing my own install unless I can build a non problematic system that I don't hear "well if we had done the install"

I would not consider the cable or phone company to be a security pro.

+1. The jobs I have seen by isp/phone companies have been a complete joke

I typically separate myself from Alarm systems. Have had too many issues with alarm companies in the past unfortunately (including one in which the Alarm company bashed us because we could not integrate the panel he chose to use with our system, costing us to lost a $150k> job).

I just wanted to say that I have seen a few jobs in which both Alarm and Cable companies sold the clients on cameras. They all use wireless cameras and then just run a wire down the wall and plug a wall wart in. I would not let people that install "professionally installed cameras" in this manner in my jobs or my home.

With that said, I used a local medium sized heating/oil company that also has a security devision for the alarm in our old house. They did a good job on the install and never had any issues with the system or monitoring.

Hire a pro.

The DIY kits I have researched today leave a lot to be desired, so that's off the table.

So do you guys use local small guys or go with the bigger more established chain type, ADT and the like.

There was a guy that I hooked up with for a job where his main gig was Security, but in a previous life he programmed remotes and we used him for a remote update.

He did his thing as an independent and worked with a national monitoring service after install.

I work with a local alarm company that I trust.

The DIY kits are such a joke.

Without question.

Local small shop. They are willing to cooperate with us so our systems work together.

Are you thinking about installing alarm systems yourself?

Are you look for integration with your system?
Does your insurance company give a blanket discount? Or do they require a certain security system to offer the best discount?

KOT

chrisL5S
not anymore after I looked into the DIY kits and all the work arounds to get a properly functioning system.

KOT
They don't require a specific company but discounts are based on level of protection, alarm/fire/flood/gas shut off/carbon monoxide.

My perspective HO insurance went down when they found out it did not have a fireplace, but it will be getting one in short order, me want heat when the power is out.