Home security system monitoring

[DallasTexasEx]

Looking to connect my existing home security system with a monitoring company like Brink, ADT, Guardian,etc. My system was already installed when I moved into my house. (Previous owners)

Any recommendations??

Thanks in advance.

 

[handcruser]

there is a company in ATX called turner security. i think his website is turner-security.com

He charges $14.95 a month, a rate that will never go up.

I am not him, nor affiliated with the company in any way. I am going to install my own and get him to monitor it, just been too lazy.

 

[brntorng]

Just curious. When was the last time that you know of that the police showed up to a monitored alarm in time to catch the burglar? I'm no expert, but I'd check to see if perhaps a very robust local alarm wouldn't be more effective.

 

[notreally]

well, i just started working for brinks home security (in IT mind you), but they run a solid business from what I can see. it really depends on what type of system you get that will depend on what company.

ADT and Brinks are the big boys (ADT being bigger). They always run specials, but they vary by market. The bigger the system the more free **** you can get. But if you are just looking for one keypad, one motion detector, and monitoring... you can get all that installed by either company for less than $150.

both business models make their money on the monitoring. so they try to give away less equipment, but it is all negotiable (free keypads, extra doors/windows, etc.) depending on how long a contract you sign with them.

 

[DallasTexasEx]

Turner Security does look interesting. Its a nice alternative to the "Big Boys", ADT, Brinks, etc. Anyone know anything else about them? What do they have to offer other than lower monthly rate?

 

[GatorDave]

Does it make a difference service-wise which company does the monitoring, between a big boy (ADT, Brinks) and a smaller operation (Turner)? It seems to me that one company can alert the police just as well as the other, so is there some sort of drop-off going with the cheaper, smaller company?

 

[B]

The smaller monitoring companies most likely contract with a bigger organization to perform the actual monitoring services. I used Hall Security for my monitoring when I lived in Austin. He's an Austin local and my friend's uncle.

 

[DallasTexasEx]

Well, I tried to call that Turner Security about 5 times over the past 2 days and keep getting a voicemail. Sounds like a cell phone. I am afraid his shop is a bit too small.

I think I am going with Guardian. Medium Sized Texas based company with good ratings and decent price.

Thx for everyone's comments.

 

[B]

Here is the phone number for Hall Security if you want to shop a 2nd rate:

Hall Security Systems Inc
(512) 416-0901
535 Woodward St
Austin, TX

 

[DallasTexasEx]

Thx B...will call them.

 

[wolfman]

I have been using Brinks for years and have been satisfied with them. Someone mentioned that a burglery in progress is rarely stopped by the police and that may be true, but one other thing to consider is that most monitored systems monitor a smoke detector as well. I like the idea that the fire department will be called if Im not there when a fire starts.

 

[MGS]

Several months back, I got a phone call from Brinks telling me my alarm went off and they will be notifying the police. I then leave work and make the thirty minute drive home. I turn off the alarm, search my house, and there is no evidence of any break in, it was just a false alarm.

About ten minutes later, the Plano Police show up. I walk outside to meet them, tell them that it was a false alarm, and they just say "Ok" and drive off. (without doing anything to verify that I even really live there)

 

[chitwood]

Like B, I have used Hall Security in my two houses for the last 10 years. We really like them, and find them very responsive.

 

[Horn9497]

We had ADT for years but I wasn't a fan (monitoring was fine but the technicians we had weren't) and I switched to Hall. I've been happy--they did a good job re-installing things and we've been happy with them.

 

[AUinAustin]

I would make sure I understood what triggers a response. Before I moved here I had an alarm system that included the smoke detector. For some strange reason the company said they would call for verification if the break-in alarm sounded but if the smoke detector went off they automatically sent the fire department. I declined having them monitor my house because I didn't was a fire truck whenever I burn toast.