Before you hire an alarm company to monitor the safety of your home and family, make sure you select a trustworthy business with truly secure systems and protocols in place.  How will you know?  Here’s what to ask before you hire an alarm company. 

When You Start Your Search

Follow your specific needs instead of the current deals.  Begin by making a list of your security system monitoring wants and needs.  Here are some questions think about before you start looking around and topics you will eventually discuss with any potential alarm company:

• My family has a busy schedule with lots of coming and going; how does that impact my monitoring needs?
• Will my pets set off the motion sensor alarm?
• Where’s the best place for the control pad?
• Should I have more than one control pad, and where should I put them?
• Do I need to secure my detached garage?
• Do I want wireless or wired monitoring systems?
• What type of response do I want from my alarm company?

Refining Your Search

Once you have a basic idea of your needs:  An alarm system that works with a busy home, an alarm system that allows for the movement of pets, an alarm system that can move with you from home to home, etc., it’s time to start talking to the alarm companies you are interested in. 

Obtain quotes from at least three different alarm companies.  In addition to comparing pricing, compare the level of security they offer.

When it comes time to compare companies, here’s what to ask before you hire an alarm company:

• What screening does your company do when hiring their alarm installers and salespeople?  (You want a company that screens for criminal backgrounds/records, etc.)

• What certification, listings, and training do you have?  

• Where is your monitoring station located?

• Is your monitoring station open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is your customer service department open 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

• How long have you been in business?

• Do you do any subcontracting? (You want the same people doing everything from the installation to the monitoring.)

• What backup communications are available, and what procedures are in place to ensure reliability of communications.?

Next, consider the security system monitoring company’s response in an emergency.

• How do you communicate with me?  (i.e. Do you call to confirm an emergency?)

• What additional features are available, such as emergency tech support?

• How responsive are you to changing my information, and what safeguards are in place to ensure it's me making the changes?

• When I call you, do you take control and responsibility, or will I be shuffled between the dealer, installing company, or any other entity?

Finally, consider your personal preference.  What does your gut tell you?  Are you comfortable putting your security in this particular security system monitoring company’s hands?