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What to Look for in
a Residential Alarm System
- Ease
of Use - Ease of Operation
Purchase a system that is easy to use and to explain to others. Alarms
that are complicated to operate can be frustrating and are the leading
cause of false alarms.
- Quality
An alarm system that is not installed properly or consists of substandard
equipment can cost you a lot of money in repair bills and false-alarm
service fees.
- Fair
Price
You should get written estimates of material and installation costs
from at least three companies before you purchase an alarm system.
While price is a factor; you should not necessarily purchase the
cheapest alarm. Obtaining estimates will help you determine if one
company's alarm system is significantly more expensive than another
system. For example, it is possible to pay from $1,200.00 to $5,000.00
for very similar systems.
How
to Choose a Quality
Alarm System at a Fair Price
- Ask
your neighbors and friends what they like
and don't like about their alarm systems.
Were their systems installed properly,
and are they easy to use?
- Ask
your alarm company for a list of local
references. You should call several of
the references and find out what others
like and dislike about the company and
their equipment.
- Verify
that your alarm company and their employees
are properly licensed by the California
Department of Consumer Affairs. Information
on alarm companies and alarm-company employees
is available at http://www.dca.ca.gov/bsis/lookup.htm.
You may also wish to check with the Better
Business Bureau in Stockton at http://www.stockton.bbb.org/ and
the California Department of Consumer Affairs
at http://www.dca.ca.gov/ before
you purchase an alarm.
- Make
sure the alarm company has a local business
license.
You can verify that they are licensed by calling 937-8313.
- Find
out if the alarm company is a member of
the National Burglar Alarm Association
and the Greater Valley Alarm Association.
Members of these associations have pledged
to use only the highest installation standards
and to employ only state-licensed installers.
Take
Time to Study your Sales Contract
Do
not let a salesperson pressure you into signing
a contract. You should read your contact
carefully and understand its terms before
you sign. Be suspicious of a salesperson
offering you a special price only if you
agree to sign the contract immediately. Remember,
you have three (3) days to change your mind
about buying a wired alarm.
Your
alarm salesperson should explain the alarm
ordinance before you purchase an alarm system.
Ask
these Questions:
- Will
I be leasing or purchasing the alarm system?
- Who
will repair the alarm?
- Is
someone available 24-hours-per-day, 7-days-per-week?
- What
are the conditions of warranty? (BEWARE
of claims of a "lifetime" warranty;
a reliable firm will not offer you one
without an additional charge).
If
your Alarm is Monitored, Ask More Questions
- Who
will monitor the alarm?
- Where
is the alarm company's central dispatch
station located?
- Is
it local, and are their dispatchers knowledgeable
of the requirements of Stockton's alarm
ordinance?
- Is
their station certified by Underwriter's
Laboratory?
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Download the alarm permit application here (pdf format). |
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Stockton,
CA