Wired or wireless, monitored or unmonitored? Seven questions to ask before you decide.
Someone looking to buy a home alarm usually starts by comparing device prices. Yet the value of a system is determined as much by the service behind it as by the hardware. Beyond a silent siren or a notification on your phone, you need to know who acts at that moment. The seven questions below will guide you when comparing quotes.
1. Wired or wireless?
Wired systems can be hidden behind plasterboard and skirting, which helps aesthetics in newly built homes. In existing homes, however, they mean chasing walls and repainting. Today's two-way encrypted wireless systems work in the 868 MHz band and installation finishes in a few hours. If you rent, you can remove the devices and take them with you.
2. Is there monitoring, and who does it?
A system that only sounds a siren is useless if the neighbours do not hear it. In a monitored system the panel passes the signal to a centre. The question: does the centre belong to the company itself or to a subcontractor? Is the response time written into the contract? Get clear answers to both.
3. How many communication paths?
A panel that relies only on Wi-Fi goes silent when the modem is off. Look for at least two paths (4G + Wi-Fi) and jamming detection. Also find out when the panel reports 'loss of communication'.
4. Pet compatibility
For cat and dog owners, dual-technology detectors that ignore animals up to 25 kg are the main remedy for false alarms. Placement matters just as much: keep the detector away from heaters and sunlight.
5. What happens in a power cut?
The panel should have a backup battery lasting at least 24 hours. When the battery weakens the centre should be notified automatically, so you do not have to wait for the annual service.
6. Total cost
Device cost, installation, monthly monitoring and contract term should be assessed together. For example a package with 11,900 TRY installation and 499 TRY monthly monitoring costs about 17,900 TRY in the first year. Annual payment usually brings a two-month discount.
7. Support after installation
User training, annual service, fault response time and warranty scope should be in writing. An alarm system must work as well in its tenth year as in its first.
At Teyakkuz our survey is free. You can also get a first idea with our security needs analysis tool.
Common mistakes
The most common mistake is to look only at price and buy an unmonitored system; a year on, when nobody reacts to the siren, its value drops towards zero. The second is leaving user codes at default and failing to delete the codes of former employees or carers. The third is placing detectors in front of windows, where curtains move or sunlight falls directly.
After you buy an alarm, watch the system closely for the first month: note any false alarm and ask the specialist to review the layout. A good company does this adjustment free of charge.