Finding an Alarm Monitoring Service using our prewired house

January 15, 2015 5:14 PM

We built a house. Builder wired the house for alarm using some buddy of his. So the doors and windows all have sensors (I think) that are wired into the house. Cheap/basic keypad is by back door and upstairs master bedroom. We haven't activated the system with a monitoring company, but now want to do that. Trying to find out what I can do with the prewired system. Can I use any of the cutting edge home security systems with smartphone and cellular stuff?

I looked online at reviews (as an aside, online review of home security systems seem excessively sketchy/astroturfy). From what I can tell, I want something that uses cellular instead of a landline, which is good because I don't have a landline in my house. And I'd like one that I can control through my smartphone/tablet etc. Future expansion/integration into home automation is a plus.

I keep seeing that Frontpoint gets good reviews. But it looks like I would just be putting sensors all of my house and the prewired sensors would be useless. I'd rather use the existing wiring instead of sticking new stuff on my walls/doors which will look like clutter/not-integrated to me. Also, I'm not much of a diy-er (except on the most idiot proof things) so having control over the installation setup is not a plus for me.

I really would rather something can take over the existing wiring, but maybe slap on a new control unit/fancy keypad that will use cell and I can control through my smartphone/tablet.

Cost is not a factor. I'm willing to pay top dollar if it will do what I want.

Any insight?

(Note: I saw there some previous questions about home security but it looked like the last one was in 2009. Surely this has changed dramatically in the last 6 years)

posted by dios to Home & Garden (2 answers total)

I'm a FrontPoint customer and you're correct: your wired connects will be useless. I happen to like FrontPoint and the setup is, indeed idiot proof, but still:

I'd call a few places and see what they say about using your pre-wired system. They'll know what to ask and what they support. You might also find a way for them to use the wires but replace the sensors and base unit with their new, fancy things. The wires are, of course, the hard part.
posted by toomuchpete at 10:07 PM on January 15, 2015

Definitely call local alarm companies. Most of them will come out to do a free estimate, and will be able to look at what you have and tell you your options.
posted by firei at 3:51 AM on January 16, 2015