There are many different types of security companies that provide alarm monitoring. The type of security company you are getting a quote from will have a great bearing on the rates and terms you are quoted. Security alarm monitoring rates can start as low as $10 per month while some go up to $40 per month or more for the same basic service. So "Why the big difference in price points?" you may ask. It all has to do with the business plan the alarm dealer is following and the level of involvement in the servicing of the alarm that they provide after the sale. Security companies operate based on 3 different business models.
- The most common alarm monitoring programs offered are 3 or 5 year agreements starting around per month. These companies are usually associated with national dealer programs such as Brinks, ADT, Protection One, Monitronics, and Central Security Group. Incentives such as free installation or free activation are often offered by these security dealers in order to obtain your monitoring business. The good thing in regards to these type programs is that the national company is there to back up the local dealer in terms of service. Some of the national dealer programs have very suspect monitoring, however most are pretty good.
- Another type of alarm company is the independent security dealer. These security companies do not sell off their agreements, but opt to hold their own paper. They tend to be much smaller than the larger national dealers. Smaller independent dealers will usually have to charge an installation fee of some sort since they are not being paid up front by the larger national company for the contract. As a result, you will usually have a bit lower monthly rate, since you paid something up front to help defray the cost. Since you are paying the cost of the installation and activation at the time of install, the independent security dealer will often offer a shorter term agreement. You have to be careful though because many of these independent dealers are technicians who are trying to start their own company on the side. Service after the sale may become an issue in these instances. But most of the smaller dealers can offer very good service.
- Web based companies are the third type of security monitoring company that you will find. They will offer a very low rate, but the trade off is no service department and less qualified monitoring staff. Should the need to service your alarm arise, you will have to call another company to get service. If you are not being monitored by an alarm company, it is highly unlikely that the alarm company would be willing to work on your security system due to the liability that it presents. In addition to the service issue, these companies are often not Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed. If your monitoring company is not UL listed, they will not qualify for most insurance discounts that you may have available.
Always check with the local Better Business Bureau prior to signing an agreement for security service. On line reviews of monitoring companies are often unreliable since most are written by salespeople of other companies. The security business can be pretty cut throat in some areas. If you are considering a particular alarm monitoring company, look for their sign in a neighbor's yard and ask them about their experience with the company. Your neighbor will give you an honest and unbiased opinion.
If you happen to live in the Greater Houston area, then check out our Houston Alarm Monitoring packages. We offer flexible rates & terms and are a member of the Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston. Texstar Alarms also installs Honeywell and DSC security systems in Houston and surrounding areas. Give us a call for all your security, audio, and CCTV needs.
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