Do It Yourself Home Security: How to Choose the Right System

Many homeowners think they just don't need a security system. "After all," they think, "I won't be a victim of burglary. Anyways, even if someone tried, we have deadbolts and window locks. Surely, those are enough to stop a thief." But is this correct?

According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, there were 2,183,746 burglaries in 2006 (the last year with complete data). The average dollar loss per burglary was $1,834.00.¹

Still, you think, "I'm far enough away from the highway. The risk of professional thieves breaking into my home is minimal." That may be true. However, according to a 2005 study, the typical burglar is not a professional thief, but a male teenager living with a few miles of the burglarized home.²

The last and most telling fact of the study is that homes without a security system are three times as likely to be broken into than homes with a security system.

The purpose of the above statistics is not to cause you to panic. Nor is it intended to make you think that every neighborhood teenager is a thief waiting in the wings. The purpose of the facts is to make you realize that there is a risk, it is real, and it can happen to you.

So, what should you do? Be prepared. Find the right security system for your home and install it. If you weigh the average dollar loss per burglary (listed above) against the cost of installing a reliable home security system, you will see that the advantage greatly outweighs the risk. And, considering your peace of mind, the safety of you and your family, and the protection of your valuables, choosing a home security system is one of the most important things you will do as a homeowner. So, now it's time to protect your home. But how?

It used to be that you needed a professional to help you select the right system, and then install it and program it for you. However, that's no longer the case. With the wealth of information now available to the discerning customer, and the increase of do-it-yourself resources, you now have the option to "Do-It-Yourself." Considering the savings in money and time, do it yourself is quickly becoming the choice of today's smart homeowner. Because of this, there are now many companies who cater to the do-it-yourself crowd.

When it comes to selecting a security system, the first question is, do you want a hardwired or a wireless system. At some level, this is a matter of preference. Wireless systems have been vastly improved since the original models. They are now just as reliable as a hardwired system. While the cost may be more for the system itself, most wireless systems feature many options to improve your security system. These same options will have to be purchased additionally with a hardwired system. The cost, in this case, usually makes the wireless system the better option. Plus, if you're doing it yourself, wireless systems are easier to install.

Another consideration is the house you're securing. If the house is in the process of being built, it's relatively easy to install a hardwired system, and this may be a better option for you. It gets a little trickier when you are trying to install a hardwired system into an existing, built home. However, it is still do-able.

This is an important part of selecting and designing your home security system. You need to think about all of the possible areas that a burglar could break in. Walk around your house and ask yourself, "If I was a thief, where is the easiest entry into this house?" Make notes, drawings, whatever is necessary to determine what exactly you need. Walk through your house next. Ask yourself if there are certain areas that a thief would be sure to walk through. These may be hallways, staircases, etc. Make notes of these as well.

This is also a good time to determine where you need smoke, carbon monoxide, or flash flood detectors. In this exercise, you are trying to determine the areas of risk to your home and family from burglars and from accidents, such as fire.

Now it's time to decide exactly what you need for your security system and how you are going to lay it out. So, for example, in the living room, you have three windows. You've decided that you want a window contact for each of those systems letting you know if someone has opened it. Additionally, because of the way your house is set up, people would most likely have to pass through that room to get anywhere in your house. So, you decide that you also want a motion detector in this room. Maybe in another room you don't' need a motion detector, but that room could be an easy point of access for a burglar. In this case, you decide that you want a glass break sensor, to alert you if any glass is broken in that room. Basically, write down exactly what you want your system to do for each room in your house.

Hopefully you feel comfortable selecting and installing your own system. Now it's time to choose which company to order from. The rule that applies in this situation is the same rule that applies anytime you buy something: Shop Around. In a home security company, you are really looking for the following four things:

1. Product Offering:Obviously, if a company doesn't have what you are looking for, you should go somewhere else.

2. Price:This probably goes without saying. Also, don't be afraid to ask a company you like to match the price of their competitors. They want your business and should be willing to work with you.

3. Technical Support:Find a company that will offer you free technical support over the phone if you need it. This may be helpful when installing or operating your system.

4. Company Reputation: It is important to research the company as well as the product. Real experiences from real customers are invaluable in determining whether to choose a particular company. Plus, if you use that same company for monitoring, you will probably be in a relationship with them for at least a year.

This section is for the Do-It-Yourselfers. If you are still not comfortable "Doing-It-Yourself," then the company that you choose will install your system for you. However, I want to emphasize again that you can do it, and it will save you money.

Installation is a relatively straightforward and simple process. The system that you purchase should come with instructions on installation. Also, the company that you purchased them from should offer you free technical support. This way, if you need any assistance, it's only a phone call away.

The last thing to remember when it comes to installation is this: If you choose a wireless system, you want to be sure to program all of the devices (motion sensors, window contacts, etc) before you place them. If you choose a hardwired system, the devices can be programmed at any time.

This is an incredibly important part of your home security system, so it's worth taking your time to do this right. Many systems allow self-monitoring. In this case, your system will call a private number in the case of an alarm. The nice thing about this system is that it there are no monthly fees, since the option is included in your system. However, what happens if you miss the call? Nothing. That means that no one knows that your house is broken into until it is too late, and no police or fire department units are dispatched.

The other option is to have monitoring done by a central monitoring station. This way, someone is monitoring your system day and night. If there is an alarm, they can contact your local police or fire departments. This is an inexpensive way to make sure that your system works to its maximum potential. The other plus to this option is that many insurance companies offer a discount on homeowner's insurance to homeowner's using a central monitoring service.

This page was intended to give you a primer on choosing the right home security system so that you can make an informed decision about your family's security. I hope that you found the information helpful in deciding what security system is right for you. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments section. If you have any stories that you would like to share, please use the comments section to do so.