What are the risks of DIY home security installation?
There are numerous benefits to DIY home security systems, affordability being the most notable one. However, there are also risks of DIY home security that you need to be aware of before you start installing the system on your own. Home security is not to be taken lightly and it is in your best interest to be aware of all the potential risks before attempting a DIY installation on your own. In this article, we will introduce you to five of the most important risks you will be taking, as experienced by the best home security companies in the market.
Five main risks of DIY home security installation
While home security kits are rather easy to use, they come with significant drawbacks. Yes, you will be saving some money on the installation process but you will also be dealing with the following risks:
- You don’t get monitoring or automated emergency calls
- Your security system may be vulnerable
- Power and internet outages are a problem
- False alarms
- You have to do repairs and upgrades on your own
The fact of the matter is that home security can’t be about having fun installing equipment nor it can all be about saving more money. Your and your family’s protection needs to come first. In most cases, it is advisable to refer to professionals when it comes to installing home security systems. That being said, if you still want to proceed to install the system on your own, you at least need to be aware of the risks.
No monitoring or automatic emergency calls
By installing the system by yourself, you get to save money by not paying for monitoring services. You get an alert on your phone when your home security is breached but what you don’t get is someone making the necessary call for you. What happens if you are in danger and unable to make the call on your own? Your DIY home security system will be unable to protect you in those cases.
With professional monitoring, you get maximum protection and peace of mind. By opting out of it, you are putting yourself, your family, and your home at risk, it is simple as that. If you really want to install the system on your own, it might be in your best interest to search for a monitoring company. That way, you will have reduced installation costs and still have the protection you need. The only issue with that is that most companies will only monitor their own systems. You may need to search far and wide until you find a monitoring company that will accept to monitor your DIY system.
Vulnerability is higher in DIY home security systems
Unless you are a home security expert, you do not have the necessary skills to design and install an optimal security system. It may be easy to install a camera and motion sensors but creating a perfect layout takes knowledge and experience. Most DIY home security systems have significant vulnerable points, something that criminals can (and will) exploit.
Most people assume that their DIY system is providing enough security, only to be proven wrong at the worst possible time. Criminals are a crafty lot, after all, and they will go for any present vulnerabilities. Professional systems, on the other hand, have fewer, if any, of those vulnerabilities present. If your system does not have any obvious “holes” in it, however, criminals usually search for an easier target.
Power and internet outages will shut down the system
Another one of the large risks of DIY home security systems is the fact that if the power or internet goes out, so does the system. A burglar might simply disconnect your modem and render the entire system inoperable. Professional systems are hard-wired, something that is very difficult to find in DIY systems, and have a close to 100% uptime. By relying on a system that you install on your own, you are risking it failing when you might need it the most.
You will have to deal with false alarms
Any security system sends numerous false alarms. Oftentimes several of them in a given day, depending on the location. The equipment that DIY kits feature is not precise enough to distinguish between pets and actual threats, for example. DIY systems simply cannot compare to professional ones when it comes to false alarms. And if they can, their price is usually a lot higher than a professional system might cost you.
By opting for the benefits of a professional home security system instead of a DIY one, you will not have to deal with any false alarms most of the time. If you get a monitoring service, you will not have to deal with them at all.
You don’t get professional support for repairs and upgrades
Once you go the DIY route, there is usually no going back. You will be the one responsible for maintaining the system, as well as upgrading it. Whenever something breaks, you are the one that needs to fix it. You don’t get the convenience of simply making a call to solve your issue. In reality, you will most likely postpone upgrades or repairs until you have the time or resources for them, making your home vulnerable during that period.
Not having support from professional security companies means that you can’t count on your system to work reliably all the time. Furthermore, upgrades and repairs can get quite technical, meaning that you might need professional assistance to accomplish them. It would be much easier if you had professionals install the system in the first place.
Do note, however, that even with all the risks of DIY home security, it still might be a better option for some homeowners. Maybe you don’t need phenomenal protection that is active all the time. In that case, saving some money on your security system might be a good idea.
If you need to find out more about the best home security solutions, Consumer Opinion Guide can provide you with all the necessary information, as well as a selection of top home security companies!
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