Installing Home Surveillance Systems: To DIY or Not to DIY?

Posted by Kristina Law on Jan 26, 2013 in Main | 1 comment

Do you remember a time when crime was rare and most people didn’t worry about home security too often? It’s getting harder and harder to do so in the age we live in. A top concern for most homeowners today is almost definitely protecting the home, and more importantly the family inside it. One way to do that is to add a home surveillance system. There are a ton of different options when it comes to that, and the first is whether to install a system yourself, or to get a professional install.

DIY Pro: Cost

A primary benefit of installing a system yourself is the cost. You’ll save on labor and installation costs, which could be significant. You also have total control over which components go into your new surveillance system, giving you greater control over the cost. Even better, you can spread your purchases out over a long period of time, making the financial bite just a little easier to bear.

DIY Pro: Knowledge

A secondary, but still important, plus to a self-install is the knowledge you’ll gain. Because you’ll have to work with every piece of the system, you’ll know a lot more about it than if someone else had installed it. You’ll know every piece, how they might fail, and what you need to do to repair them if so. Even the best equipment fails at some point, and who would know how to fix it better than the person who installed it?

DIY Cons

There are, of course, cons to a do-it-yourself approach. You might find out that you’ve bitten off more than you can chew when you start shopping for a system. There are so many options and it can be hard to know exactly what your particular needs are. There’s also a possibility that you’ll run into trouble with the install; not everyone is a natural handyman and some systems can be harder to work with than others.

Professional Install Pros

The benefits of a professional job mostly speak for themselves. The pros have probably installed dozens of systems in homes just like yours. They’ll know what you need and where you need it to protect your home properly. Best of all, a good professional installation crew will get the job done quickly and easily while you sit back and relax.

Professional Install Cons

On the other hand, not every company is going to be great, or even good. A poorly done job can mean damage to your home, long installation times, and the possibility of ending up with a surveillance system that isn’t what you want or need. Cost is another concern, but many companies don’t charge for installation, so it might be less than you think.

Conclusion

Both DIY and professional installs can be a good option. Either way you go, check your home insurance rates. You can get a new quote on home insurance rates from www.homeinsurance.com. You might see lower premiums there due to your newly installed system. At the very least, check out their home insurance 101 section and get some valuable insight to go with your newly gained peace of mind.

 

Adam Vaught is a keen DIY’er who also has experience working within the home security industry. He likes to write on the subject of home security, offering his knowledge and tips on a variety of blogs online.