One of the best ways to ensure that burglars do not attack your home is to have a home alarm system. But first, let us find out how much home alarm systems cost. The prices are rather flexible depending on the type of system, components included, installation complexity, additional features, brand, and provider. We will discuss the average fees and what determines the price so you will know how much to expect to pay for a Home Security System.

What constitutes the cost of a home alarm system?

Several key factors determine the total costs of installing and monitoring a home security system: 

Equipment and Components – This is a breakdown of the basic alarm system package and the principal components, which are the control panel, sensors, detectors, cameras, and other accessories. The cost of the components and the size of the system determines the price to be paid for the advanced components. Installation – Basic, simple installations may only incur equipment costs. However, professional installation can cost an additional $100 or more based on the type of system and the layout of the house. Monitoring Services – After the initial setup, ongoing remote monitoring services begin at $15-$60+ per month based on the type of monitoring: landline, broadband, or cellular. Other Features – Such features as home automation, video monitoring, and smart features are other aspects that add cost to the system in a proportionate manner. Consumer – The choice of the brand, quality, business model, and policies put in place by the security provider ultimately determines the prices to be paid.

Expenditure for Centralized Home Alarm Systems and Monitoring

Let’s break down the typical pricing for home alarm systems and installation: 

Equipment and Components Starter security packages range from $99-$300+ for the control panel, sensors, door/window detectors, motion sensor, and other peripherals. Additional high-end packages with cameras, glass break detectors, temperature sensors, smoke detectors, panic buttons, etc. can range from $500 and $1,500.

Professional Installation The cost of getting a technician to install your home alarm system is usually $100-$350+ depending on the size of your home. Complex installation or wiring services may be priced at $500 or higher depending on the degree of difficulty.

Monitoring Services Professional alarm monitoring typically ranges from $15 to $60+ monthly through companies such as ADT or Vivint. This links your home to the response teams in case of an emergency.

The mobile or wireless system tends to be expensive as compared to those with wired or traditional phone line monitoring. There can be a type of plans that have 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years of commitment. Equipment or activation fees can be lower if the contract is longer in duration.

Other Smart Home Features and Improvements If you would like to use your smartphone to turn on/off lights, locks, thermostats, or appliances, it is advisable to use a smart home alarm system. This allows home automation features through your security system equipment to cost anywhere from $10 and over $100 in incremental fees.

Video surveillance with cameras and video doorbells also increases security. The prices for cameras and video storage usually cost an additional $5-$30 per device per month.

The Overall average cost for a home security system

The cheapest DIY system with minimum equipment, do-it-yourself installation, and no monitoring may start at $300. A basic configuration with some cameras, sensors, professional installation, and monitoring will cost $40-$60 monthly or $500-$1,500 for installation. Sophisticated systems capable of fire protection, environmental control, video monitoring, and home automation are likely to cost over $100 per month or $2,500+ in total.

Things That Affect the Price of Home Alarm Systems

About the above, we have discussed the various factors that influence the prices of HCT products. But what is more relevant is an understanding of what makes costs, between home alarm system packages and providers, to be different. Here are some of the biggest considerations: Here are some of the biggest considerations:

Base Equipment Package – The number of control panels and security devices such as sensors and detectors determines base costs. Packages provide coverage based on the various layouts at homes.

  • Base costs are influenced by the control panel and the number of security devices such as sensors and detectors. The package includes various home designs. Home Size and Layout – Large homes require many sensors and wireless repeaters which increase the equipment and installation costs. They are also expensive as compared to normal houses as they have more than one story.
  • This means that huge homes require more sensors and wireless repeaters which can increase the cost of equipment and installation. Multi-story homes also have their own added costs. Monitoring Services – Monitoring for professionals involves technology features and investments in cellular or broadband that affect monthly charges. However, monitoring plans are optional.
  • Professional monitoring often involves additional features in the devices including cellular or broadband connectivity which affects the monthly charges. However, monitoring plans are not mandatory. Smart Home Integration – This entails using a smart security panel or upgrade to control the lights, locks, and appliances, which may cost over a hundred dollars or more. The video also increases fees.
  • Smart control over lights, locks, and appliances needs an intelligent security panel or a change of the same, which may cost $100 and above on average. The video also increases fees. Installation Difficulty – Wiring locations that are challenging to access, old wiring systems, and complicated housing layouts can easily raise installation costs beyond $100.
  • Remote locations, older wiring, and complicated layout of the house may lead to additional cost of installation going beyond $100. Provider reputation and offerings – ADT and Vivint are particular premium providers with state-of-the-art equipment but the prices are high. Boutique and DIY providers assist you in saving.

Sometimes new installations, upgrades, and add-ons can grow the initial costs exponentially or at least significantly.

While starter packages buffer the cost shock of home alarm systems, professional installation, long-term monitoring, and equipment and services such as security cameras and home automation raise lifetime equipment cost and monthly fees significantly after subscribing. Customers should consider total long-term costs — including multi-year contracts for many provider plans — before buying home security packages.

How much would it cost to have professional installation and wires put in?

As described above, professional installation for home alarm systems ranges from $100 up to $350+ depending on the service provider and your home. Here are some examples of what standard installation services include and what factors might require extra installation charges: 

Included Professional Installation Services

  • The basic assessment of the area and the development of the preliminary strategy
  • Fixing and installation of control panel.
  • These include fitting keypads, sensors, and detectors
  • Plugging devices into panels and power sources
  • Checking for connections and operations
  • This is a process of informing the homeowners on how they can effectively use the system.
  • Protruding wiring and hardware or lack of proper wiring and hardware enclosure
  • Installation Costs and Wiring of Add-ons Extra installation fees often include: Extra installation fees often include:
  • New wiring or cabling strings
  • Cables used in fishing through the walls
  • Big homes that cover the home theater with cable run over 100 feet
  • The use of some boosting signals to the wireless system
  • Using wire mold over a large area due to aesthetic choices
  • Controlling Z-Wave or Zigbee-based smart home devices
  • The installation of cameras or video doorbells at or above standard heights
  • Setting up a WiFi connection or broadband connection

All these aspects may cause the cost of installing a home alarm system to rise and go above $500+ in some cases. Be precise on measurements of your home and consider some layout complications to know how much you can be charged.

How to Approach the Cost of Acquiring Home Security Systems?

Although home alarm systems need costly initial and recurring expenditures, the safety of their property and loved ones is priceless. Use the following tips when evaluating home security packages to help budget purchases and control costs: 

DIY systems should be considered first – companies who offer home security systems for DIY installation provide the cheapest equipment on average. Homeowners are encouraged to install their systems if they are comfortable with gadgets and devices, DIY systems are cheaper than professionally installed ones. Monitor Comparison – Investigate the difference between the costs per month of landline, broadband, WiFi, and cellular monitoring. However, do not completely sacrifice emergency connectivity for the sake of cutting costs too. Assess Home Layout Difficulties – Provide the wiring complications, coverage from a router, and accessibility issues that can enhance the equipment or installation requirements for better provider quotes and cost estimates. Evaluate Multi-Year Total Expense – While equipment packages appear cheaper from some providers, costly proprietary monitoring agreements can push the long-term expense higher. Determine total costs for two to three years. Prioritize Your Core Security First – More cameras, smart home platforms, and video doorbells are nice to have but not necessary. Security concerns are best met by first focusing on alarm capabilities, entry sensors, smoke detection, and other important security aspects in the list before other less important things.

While complex systems with professionally Monitored Alarm Systems are the kind of security homeowners can rely on, basic DIY security packages are sufficient to discourage burglars. Taking into account installing complexity, monthly fees, and long-term contracts, and focusing on key components initially provides the best opportunity to manage home security costs.

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