House has ADT security/monitoring - alternatives?
October 16, 2014 12:46 PM Subscribe
Moved recently. The house ADT system already installed. Don't like ADT - what are my options?
Moved into a new house in February. ADT is installed.
After a less than customer friendly phone call and home visit, just to tell me prices (which seemed high, given I already own the hardware), I want to know what my options are.
Items of note. Cats + toddler in the house. Sliding back door. Lots of 'low' windows. House is in a safe area - as much as any area (some people don't lock doors.)
Right now, I mostly want the security of monitoring, even if it's illusionary. Over the next year, I'll begin to implement things to make the house more secure itself.
Do I have alternatives who can use the ADT hardware? Any of them good/bad? I'd like to avoid doing DIY, finding the time will be difficult for a large project.
(I'll be looking in on this thread - so if you have questions, let me know!)
Moved into a new house in February. ADT is installed.
After a less than customer friendly phone call and home visit, just to tell me prices (which seemed high, given I already own the hardware), I want to know what my options are.
Items of note. Cats + toddler in the house. Sliding back door. Lots of 'low' windows. House is in a safe area - as much as any area (some people don't lock doors.)
Right now, I mostly want the security of monitoring, even if it's illusionary. Over the next year, I'll begin to implement things to make the house more secure itself.
Do I have alternatives who can use the ADT hardware? Any of them good/bad? I'd like to avoid doing DIY, finding the time will be difficult for a large project.
(I'll be looking in on this thread - so if you have questions, let me know!)
We moved into a house with an ADT system and had a local alarm company replace it with a (Honeywell) system of their own. They were able to reuse all the existing wiring and sensors and just replace the keypad and main panel. YMMV if you have wireless sensors, though, which are typically incompatible between brands of system.
posted by pocams at 12:51 PM on October 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by pocams at 12:51 PM on October 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
I've been using SimpliSafe (without using their cellular network) for almost three years now. I'm a big fan. They are responsive and great about replacing parts or broken items.
posted by yellowcandy at 2:11 PM on October 16, 2014
posted by yellowcandy at 2:11 PM on October 16, 2014
FrontPoint Security is highly rated and they have very good customer service.
posted by alligatorman at 2:12 PM on October 16, 2014
posted by alligatorman at 2:12 PM on October 16, 2014
Also be aware that in many parts of the country, all the alarm companies have started requiring a 3-year contract, after which they throw in the hardware for free. So switching may be trivial, unless you don't want to stay there for long...
posted by acm at 10:40 AM on October 17, 2014
posted by acm at 10:40 AM on October 17, 2014
If you already have an existing system AlarmRelay is $9/mo (year pre-paid) for landline security system. Extras like Cellular backup / Wifi cost extra.
Very basic central station monitoring and I got it for insurance more than being able to configure every little detail of the system via my phone for instance.
Setup was quick, they called me the next day with a tech and he had me press buttons to program in the phone number and account numbers, then test the sensors and such.
posted by wcfields at 4:59 PM on April 1, 2015
Very basic central station monitoring and I got it for insurance more than being able to configure every little detail of the system via my phone for instance.
Setup was quick, they called me the next day with a tech and he had me press buttons to program in the phone number and account numbers, then test the sensors and such.
posted by wcfields at 4:59 PM on April 1, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Gungho at 12:51 PM on October 16, 2014