One of the questions that we’re most frequently asked on when we first speak to a customer is “how much does a burglar alarm cost?”. Unfortunately, because there are so many different types of system on offer, this can be tricky to answer. The main things that will effect the price of your alarm system are:
Response Type
Your burglar alarm system can be designed to act in a number of different ways in the event of an activation. The most basic option is usually an ‘Audible only’ system, which will sound when an intruder is detected. The middle level offered is usually ‘keyholder response’, in which case your system will contact a designated list of people – with access to the property- and inform them that there has been an activation. Top level response for your home alarm system is ‘Police Response’, where a confirmed intrusion will cause your alarm contact agents to dispatch the local police.
You can also fit what is known as a ‘speech dialler’ to an audible only system for a small one-off fee, which will send a recorded message to designated phone numbers if your alarm goes off.
Wired Vs Wireless
It’s a common misconception for customers to assume that a wireless burglar alarm system will be more expensive than a wired system because it is newer technology. However, it’s actually often the case that a wireless system works out to be cheaper, as it means that less time is taken and fewer cables are needed.
Size
The size of your system will naturally have an effect on the price quoted to you; an averagely sized system with 4 or 5 zones will cost less than a larger system with 20+ zones.
Insurance requirements
If you’re thinking of having a home alarm system installed, make sure you speak to your insurer about any requirements they have about mentioning it on your policy. Many insurers will specify a certain grade of system, or say that it must be installed by an NSI Gold approved company, such as ourselves, before they will take it into account. These system ‘grades’ may have an effect on your quotation price because of the equipment or response types required.
Equally though, a professionally installed and maintained home security system can often bring preferential terms, and an average saving of around 7.5% on your home insurance premium!
[Credit to http://www.tynesidesecurity.co.uk/our-blog/]