How Much Does It Cost to Install a Home Security System?

A security system can provide many benefits to homeowners. They can offer protection, peace of mind, deter criminals, and can even lead to cheaper home insurance. However, one thing that holds many people back or makes them think whether or not it is right for them is the cost of installing a security system.

Many believe it takes a ton of money to install a security system; this isn’t always the case. So how much does it cost to install a security system in your home? The short answer is that it varies. It varies based on the system you choose, if you install it yourself, the equipment you get, maintenance, and others. There may even be permits required before adding an alarm system.

In general, you can expect to spend anywhere from a few hundred up to around $1000, plus recurring costs like maintenance and monitoring. The exact price of your home security system depends on a number of factors. The more expansive your system, the more you will likely pay for it.

Without any further ado, let’s take a closer look at the different costs to be aware of when installing a system.

Equipment

The first and most obvious cost to think about is the equipment, and will generally be the highest upfront cost you are responsible for. The larger your home, and the more equipment and the more comprehensive protection you want, the higher your costs will be.

The basic equipment you will need is your keypad or control panel, your base station to connect to monitoring, and then some contact and motion sensors. These will be able to trip the alarm when someone attempts to enter through a door or window or when motion is detected where it shouldn’t be. All windows, doors, and other entry points should have contact sensors, and then motion sensors could be added inside if you want even more protection.

In addition to these basics, there are other things to consider as well. This includes interior video cameras, exterior video cameras, motion-detecting lights, glass break sensors, and others. All of these (as well as things like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors) should keep your home safe from any potential threats or hazards.

Installation

Another cost to be aware of is the installation of the aforementioned equipment. This is very important as improper installation can render a security system completely useless. And the last thing you want is to think you are protected, only to find out that it doesn’t actually work.

If a company charges for this service, it is usually done for around $100-$200. However, the good news is that many large alarm and security system companies won’t actually charge you for installation because their systems are easy enough for customers to install themselves. This is especially true for wireless systems, as they often are much simpler and don’t take long at all.

Of course, if you don’t feel comfortable installing on your own, many companies will have installers who will be able to help, but it will normally come with an added cost.

Monitoring

In addition to simply having a security system, it is a good idea to also ensure your plans include monitoring. Monitoring means that if your alarm system goes off for any reason, professionals will be mobilized to act and respond. This generally involves sending an emergency response directly to your home. This minimizes the negative impact of a break-in and ensures that help arrives as soon as possible.

The cost of monitoring varies from provider to provider but will generally cost around $30 a month (though you might be able to pay the entire year upfront and get a slight discount). Different providers may also include different plans that have different features too.

Maintenance

As with every piece of technology, there will be some maintenance that needs to be done to keep them operating at their best. In most cases, this will simply be replacing the batteries in your equipment. This generally won’t cost you any more than like $10-$20 a year to replace batteries when need be.

If your security device breaks or malfunctions, there is a chance it will be covered by warranty. Some warranties may only last a year, while some providers might offer up a lifetime warranty. Maintenance service calls to get things checked out might not always be covered, however. If you don’t have a warranty for one reason or another, replacement or repair costs can vary. This can depend on your type of system, how old it is, and other factors.

We hope that this article has been able to help you learn how much you can expect to pay if you decide to install a security system at home.

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