DIY vs. Professional Home Security: Which Is Right for You?
DIY vs. Professional Home Security: Which Is Right for You?
In the U.S., a home break-in takes place approximately every 26 seconds, and there are roughly 1 million home burglaries annually. As the economic climate shifts, many renters and homeowners are increasingly concerned about the safety of their home and possessions.
To save costs, more Americans have turned to DIY solutions, setting up their own systems or installing piecemeal collections of cameras and smart doorbells. Unfortunately, while a home alarm system can deter theft, it isn't always enough to stop a burglary in progress or increase arrest and recovery rates.
In many cases, a professionally installed home security system is the better choice for preventing or stopping a burglar. In this article, we'll go over the key differences between the two, and show you how to choose the right system for your home.
What to Consider Before Choosing a Security System
The most important consideration when choosing a security system should be your specific security equipment needs. The right choice for you will depend first and foremost on your budget — including both immediate and long-term costs. You'll also need to consider the size and layout of your home and property.
Next, it's crucial to look at crime rates in your area and determine how much security you'll actually need. Plus, if you're a renter, there may be some limitations on what you're allowed to do. Finally, you'll need to consider your level of comfort with technology and how much time you have to set up and maintain your system.
Professional Home Security Systems
Advantages of Professional Systems
Perhaps the most important advantage of professionally installed security system is its impact on response time. According to the FBI, a home burglary takes an average of 8 to 12 minutes, and a false alarm is extremely common. If police departments aren't confident that a burglary is occurring, they may not prioritize sending officers to your home.
This means by the time police arrive, intruders are likely to be long gone — potentially with your most valuable possessions. A professional monitoring plan, however, help increase response times by verifying the authenticity of a break-in and elevating its priority with local police.
Professional security systems are also less likely to experience glitches, failures, or gaps in footage because they are designed and installed by experts. Errors and issues can be spotted and corrected quickly and easily with a continuous monitoring service, and you don't have to worry about blind spots in home safety.
These advanced systems also allow for advanced features and integrations, like connections with a smart home device. They also perform better, experience fewer false alarms, and tend to significantly outlast their DIY counterparts.
Popular Professional Security Providers
Some of the most popular professional security providers include ADT, Vivint, Alder, and SimpliSafe. All of these offer professional monitoring options, with 24/7 coverage and some of the fastest response times.
Many of these providers also offer hybrid packages with professional installation and alarm monitoring. The advantage to the latter is that it's more cost-effective, though it will naturally result in slower response times.
DIY Security System
Advantages of DIY Systems
DIY systems are a more cost-effective alternative to professional home security systems. The equipment tends to be cheaper, and you can take care of your own installation for further savings. They often also offer the additional advantage of not locking you into a long-term contract (though there may be some monthly fees).
If you're a renter or need to move frequently, DIY systems can usually be uninstalled and moved with less fuss. This can be especially true for small, individual smart home pieces like smart cameras and doorbell systems.
DIY systems can also be customized and expanded upon over time: If you move to a new home or want to add new functionality, it's easy to add piece by piece. For example, if you decide you want another indoor or outdoor camera or motion sensor, it's fast and inexpensive to add those components.
Popular DIY Security Options
Some of the most popular DIY security options include Wireless camera systems (eg. Ring alarm, Wyze, Blink), and smart doorbells. These options all offer 24/7 video coverage of your home's interior and exterior, which you can view remotely from your phone or smart device.
Many people also consider security sensors, such as sensors for doors and windows, as well as smart locks. Sensors can detect whether a door or window has opened or someone has entered the home. Smart locks let you lock and unlock your door using a phone, keypad, or biometric information instead of a traditional key.
Many DIY security systems are integrated with virtual assistants like Siri or Google Home, and most come with some sort of base or monitoring center. They may have a loud built-in alarm either built into the base station or come with sirens you can position around your home. Most also come with a mobile app that you can use to control the system and receive alerts remotely.
Potential Drawbacks of DIY Solutions
The main downside to DIY solutions is that limited professional monitoring means slower response times, and less customer service. With DIY systems, you may also experience connectivity and integration issues, which you'll need to troubleshoot on your own.
The bottom line is that DIY solutions are more likely to fail or introduce vulnerabilities, like delays or gaps in footage or coverage area. They can still be a powerful deterrent against burglary because burglars prefer not to deal with them. However, if a break-in does occur, they may do little to stop it.
Making the Right Choice for Your Situation
Best Candidates for DIY Security
DIY security options are still a good fit for some people — particularly renters and those who are budget-conscious. If you have a smaller space, move frequently, and are very comfortable with technology, they can also be a strong choice.
Best Candidates for Professional Security
For individuals and families with larger homes and properties with multiple entry points, a professional home security system is best. This is especially true for higher-value homes in neighborhoods with a wide range of income levels. For those seeking comprehensive protection with limited time to troubleshoot tech, a professional security system is typically the best choice.
Security System Integration Considerations
One final consideration is compatibility with any existing smart home systems. It's important to choose a system that integrates seamlessly with the devices you already have, including voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant.
It's also a good idea to choose a device with a mobile app that works well with your phone. If user experience is important to you, look for an app that's easy and intuitive to use.
Finally, you'll want to choose a system that can grow with your property and devices. Look for trustworthy brands that show signs of staying power and that are compatible with all of your existing systems.
FAQ: Common Questions About Home Security Systems
How long does it take to install a professional home security system?
Installation can take as little as 2 hours for a small apartment or condo, and 8 hours or more for a larger home or property.
How can I prevent a false alarm?
Consider carefully where motion sensors are placed or the types of sensors you choose. Curtains, hanging plants, pets, and other moving objects can cause false alarms. It's also important to check for lower batteries, set delays or grace periods, and test your system regularly.
What should I do if there's a power outage?
Most home security systems come with a backup battery so they will still be active during brief power outages. Some systems, however, may not work without Wi-Fi or other services. Make sure to keep your system charged and regularly check batteries. Consider adding an alternate power source if your system doesn't come with one.
Smart Security Concierge's Solutions
Smart Security simplifies the security world by walking you through the process of discovering and choosing the right system for your home. We educate you on all of the available options, discuss your needs, and help you find the best solution for your unique needs.
We always do our best to be transparent about all of our products, providers, and offerings — we want to make sure you understand the "why" behind all of our recommendations. We'll also work with you to find the best prices, custom options, and special offers for first-time customers.
Book a free call now to learn more.