How much does an alarm system cost/how does it work/who provides the best service?

I've never had a home alarm system but I have been thinking about getting one. Can anyone tell me how much they cost to install and operate? Who are the best service providers? We have a large dog that roams the bottom floor, will she interfere with operations?

Like I say, I am a complete newbie in this regard and I would appreciate any info y'all could share to help me get started.


I would highly recommend Simplisafe ( http://SimpliSafe.com) its all wireless and you install it yourself, so you only get what you need (it's what we use). Good luck!

AJ


We use Slomins. It's about $500 a year. They can adjust your motion sensors to keep pets from setting it off. I know there are newer high tech solutions out there, and I might consider switching, but I posted here just to give you the cost of a traditional alarm system.


Metro Alarm can do more for less than the big companies. The owner is an expert, pleasant, professional. Give him a call.


We've really enjoyed ADT - their equipment and service is top-notch, including the "Pulse" software and hardware which allows us to adjust the thermostat, lights (outlets) and doorlocks remotely (internet or smartphone app) - with Pulse one can also install cameras. I set "automations" to record video clips when certain "events" happen - i.e. "front door open" or "alarm goes off," etc.

We pay about $45/mo for the service and most the equipment was already installed by the previous owners so I can't comment on what the upfront costs were. However, I do know they'll work with your Homeowners' insurance company to get discounted equipment since we did that when we upgraded to Pulse with cameras and thermostat. They usually make their profit off the recurring service charges so I'm guessing the install & equipment will be fairly reasonable. But like I said, contact your HO Insurance company and see if they have deals with particular companies.


I've used this company and agree that the owner is a great guy. The problem is that once the installation is done you're left with the monitoring company that he uses, and I'm not fond of them at all.

Tom_Reingold said:

Metro Alarm can do more for less than the big companies. The owner is an expert, pleasant, professional. Give him a call.



I'll add that ADT monitoring is top notch.

Red_Barchetta said:

I've used this company and agree that the owner is a great guy. The problem is that once the installation is done you're left with the monitoring company that he uses, and I'm not fond of them at all.
Tom_Reingold said:

Metro Alarm can do more for less than the big companies. The owner is an expert, pleasant, professional. Give him a call.




Red_Barchetta said:

I've used this company and agree that the owner is a great guy. The problem is that once the installation is done you're left with the monitoring company that he uses, and I'm not fond of them at all.
Tom_Reingold said:

Metro Alarm can do more for less than the big companies. The owner is an expert, pleasant, professional. Give him a call.

I used Metro Alarm when I lived in Maplewood and used his monitoring company and had no problems. What were your issues, just out of curiosity?


Seems a good deal (twas in Sunday's paper)...



Read the contract carefully. My friend had to give 6 months notice before cancelling.


I know this is an old thread, but not sure if this has come up already. Over the years there have been many recommendations to use MetroAlarm, as they are a "local" company, provide great service and Osvaldo is a great guy, etc.  Based on this, I used them and had their expensive equipment, install, and monthly monitoring set up a few years ago. I tried to contact them today and found that they are gone.  Web site gone, Osvaldo gone.  Call routed to a call center in Pennsylvania. The call center assured me they are providing monitoring and that they sub to another 3rd party in NJ to provide service. In order to retain my account, they did offer a 30% discount for the next year (they are pretty expensive).  


I had the same experience with Metro unfortunately.  I paid for the system up front and then paid for several upgrades, yet they still wanted me to pay $45/ month for monitoring.  How can these other companies install a free system and still charge a lot less for monitoring?  My advice to anyone looking for an alarm system is to avoid signing a contract at all cost.  I have to believe with the proliferation of wireless hardware that the whole business model of paying these kinds of costs for monitoring will be gone very soon.  I wonder if that is why Osvaldo isn't around anymore.  


ETA:  I didn't realize I posted similarly above, I do not have a vendetta or anything just trying to be helpful. 



Briscoe said:

I know this is an old thread, but not sure if this has come up already. Over the years there have been many recommendations to use MetroAlarm, as they are a "local" company, provide great service and Osvaldo is a great guy, etc.  Based on this, I used them and had their expensive equipment, install, and monthly monitoring set up a few years ago. I tried to contact them today and found that they are gone.  Web site gone, Osvaldo gone.  Call routed to a call center in Pennsylvania. The call center assured me they are providing monitoring and that they sub to another 3rd party in NJ to provide service. In order to retain my account, they did offer a 30% discount for the next year (they are pretty expensive).  

Osvaldo took a well deserved retirement and sold the company.

I had Osvaldo install a system in my Maplewood house several years ago, and I didn't find him expensive at all.  He worked with me, according to my budget.  For me, I found it was well worth it to own my equipment, rather than rent it from places like ADT.  At the time, their monitoring company gave far faster response to my alarms going off than friends who had ADT.  It worked for me, and was an additional plus in selling my house.



mumstheword said:



Briscoe said:

I know this is an old thread, but not sure if this has come up already. Over the years there have been many recommendations to use MetroAlarm, as they are a "local" company, provide great service and Osvaldo is a great guy, etc.  Based on this, I used them and had their expensive equipment, install, and monthly monitoring set up a few years ago. I tried to contact them today and found that they are gone.  Web site gone, Osvaldo gone.  Call routed to a call center in Pennsylvania. The call center assured me they are providing monitoring and that they sub to another 3rd party in NJ to provide service. In order to retain my account, they did offer a 30% discount for the next year (they are pretty expensive).  

Osvaldo took a well deserved retirement and sold the company.

It would have been decent to let users know he sold. 

If nothing else to tell them "not to worry, the new company is very reliable, etc." Especially, considering many signed up because Osvaldo was personally recommended.

Instead, Briscoe, and other got blindsided when they attempted to contact.


I'm happy for Osvaldo. He's a good guy. We partnered a couple of times, and I learned from him.


If you're interested in using a local company rather than ADT, my parents use Hughes Fire & Security out of Chatham and have been very happy with them.



Tom_Reingold said:

I'm happy for Osvaldo. He's a good guy. We partnered a couple of times, and I learned from him.

I read your recommendations. I didn't realize that you also partnered with him.



BG9 said:



mumstheword said:



Briscoe said:

I know this is an old thread, but not sure if this has come up already. Over the years there have been many recommendations to use MetroAlarm, as they are a "local" company, provide great service and Osvaldo is a great guy, etc.  Based on this, I used them and had their expensive equipment, install, and monthly monitoring set up a few years ago. I tried to contact them today and found that they are gone.  Web site gone, Osvaldo gone.  Call routed to a call center in Pennsylvania. The call center assured me they are providing monitoring and that they sub to another 3rd party in NJ to provide service. In order to retain my account, they did offer a 30% discount for the next year (they are pretty expensive).  

Osvaldo took a well deserved retirement and sold the company.

It would have been decent to let users know he sold. 

If nothing else to tell them "not to worry, the new company is very reliable, etc." Especially, considering many signed up because Osvaldo was personally recommended.

Instead, Briscoe, and other got blindsided when they attempted to contact.

Hmmmmm, how did I know, then?



mumstheword said:



BG9 said:



mumstheword said:



Briscoe said:

I know this is an old thread, but not sure if this has come up already. Over the years there have been many recommendations to use MetroAlarm, as they are a "local" company, provide great service and Osvaldo is a great guy, etc.  Based on this, I used them and had their expensive equipment, install, and monthly monitoring set up a few years ago. I tried to contact them today and found that they are gone.  Web site gone, Osvaldo gone.  Call routed to a call center in Pennsylvania. The call center assured me they are providing monitoring and that they sub to another 3rd party in NJ to provide service. In order to retain my account, they did offer a 30% discount for the next year (they are pretty expensive).  

Osvaldo took a well deserved retirement and sold the company.

It would have been decent to let users know he sold. 

If nothing else to tell them "not to worry, the new company is very reliable, etc." Especially, considering many signed up because Osvaldo was personally recommended.

Instead, Briscoe, and other got blindsided when they attempted to contact.

Hmmmmm, how did I know, then?

Hmmmmm, how did Briscoe not know, then?



BG9 said:



mumstheword said:



BG9 said:



mumstheword said:



Briscoe said:

I know this is an old thread, but not sure if this has come up already. Over the years there have been many recommendations to use MetroAlarm, as they are a "local" company, provide great service and Osvaldo is a great guy, etc.  Based on this, I used them and had their expensive equipment, install, and monthly monitoring set up a few years ago. I tried to contact them today and found that they are gone.  Web site gone, Osvaldo gone.  Call routed to a call center in Pennsylvania. The call center assured me they are providing monitoring and that they sub to another 3rd party in NJ to provide service. In order to retain my account, they did offer a 30% discount for the next year (they are pretty expensive).  

Osvaldo took a well deserved retirement and sold the company.

It would have been decent to let users know he sold. 

If nothing else to tell them "not to worry, the new company is very reliable, etc." Especially, considering many signed up because Osvaldo was personally recommended.

Instead, Briscoe, and other got blindsided when they attempted to contact.

Hmmmmm, how did I know, then?

Hmmmmm, how did Briscoe not know, then?

I found out recently when I had questions about my service and tried to contact Metro Alarm. Their web site no longer existed.  I called the phone number I had for Metro and it was answered by an automated system in Pennsylvania.  Someone there said local service is now provided by someone out of Bound Brook, NJ. 

Perhaps other customers received a letter or email to say that Metro Alarm was leaving the business. In any case, for people looking for local home security solutions this long-standing MOL recommendation is no longer an option. I hadn't seen any prior mention of this on MOL.



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