DIY vs Professional Home Security: what’s the difference?

Making the choice between DIY & professional security systems can be tough – do you give it a go yourself or leave it down to the professionals?
 
The main thing to remember is that although both DIY and professionally installed security systems offer a different range of benefits and drawbacks, they both provide a level of protection for your home. The type of system you choose is completely down to you, but it’s best to make informed decisions based on your requirements & your circumstances. Once you determine which method works best for you, you can get started with protecting your home.
 
Below we’ve outlined the pros & cons of installing each type of system in your home, let us know your thoughts on DIY vs. professionally installed alarms in the comments section below!
 
Pros of DIY Installations

• DIY systems are often sold at a smaller price point which makes them more affordable
• There’s also no commitments to contracts or installation fees
• Having a DIY home system allows you to decide which security equipment to use and where. As a homeowner you are in a better position to decide which areas of the home need coverage & how much coverage you want, as long as you do your research first!

Cons of DIY Installations

• DIY systems don’t tend to be graded and so don’t meet the requirements of home insurance companies, whereas systems installed by security professionals are required to meet Grade 2 standards, if not higher. This means that with a DIY alarm, the contents of your home may not be covered after a burglary, even if your alarm is activated
• Once you buy your DIY system, you’re on your own. The manufacturer may be able to answer basic questions, but you won’t be able to call for regular tech support, free equipment replacements etc. As well as this, if the system or one of its components fails, both the labour & cost of the replacement is yours.
• There’s a higher risk of doing the installation incorrectly

Pros of a professional installation

• The technology is often a little more complex, meaning professional systems provide higher levels of security & reliability e.g. backup signal if your wireless goes down, which ultimately provides for a little more peace of mind than a DIY system
• Most home alarm companies offer options that go above and beyond their basic packages such as battery backups, redundant alerts, pet-immune motion sensors, panic buttons/safety packages for the elderly, fire monitoring and more. A DIY home alarm generally does not offer anything beyond basic wireless security and – more recently – app functionality.
• Meet the requirements of home insurance companies, meaning your possessions will be covered if a break-in occurs and your system is activated.
• It’s a professional service, so you can benefit from a hands-off approach with professional support. An installer can make sure your equipment is set up correctly, walk you through the ins and outs of your system and make suggestions for how to best secure your home. Many security professionals are on call 24 hours a day just in case anything goes wrong.

Cons of a professional installation

• They’re usually subject to installation fees and maintenance contracts
• They’re not usually portable, meaning once an alarm has been installed inside a property, that’s where it will stay until it’s time to upgrade to a newer system. That’s why DIY systems are often better suited to renters rather than home owners.

Source: DIY vs Professional Home Security: what’s the difference?

Related Article: Do It Yourself Home Security