Published
Most people shop for a home security system by looking at the equipment. The better starting point is what happens after the alarm goes off. These are the five questions we ask every homeowner in Lake Wales, Lakeland and across Polk County before we recommend anything.
Who answers when the alarm goes off?
An alarm that only makes noise is a deterrent. An alarm that is monitored is a response. Ask where the signals go, and whether that center is UL Listed and FM Approved. Ours is a Florida based central station that has been in business since 1978.
Ask about the connection too. Cellular and internet reporting means you do not need a landline, and cutting a phone line at the outside box no longer takes the system offline.
How much protection do you actually need?
Every system starts with intrusion detection and grows from there. You do not have to buy all of it, and a good installer will tell you which parts you can skip.
- Intrusion detection alone, monitored by the central station
- Intrusion plus fire detection, so the fire department is called when nobody is home
- Intrusion plus video surveillance, viewed from your phone
- Intrusion plus home automation for lights, locks and the garage door
Who makes the equipment, and who can service it?
Ask whether the installer is a factory authorized dealer. We install and service Ademco and Honeywell equipment, and we hold a Florida Electrical and Alarm System Contractor License.
Choose a company you can drive to. When something needs service, a local team member picks up the phone instead of a national queue.
What will it cost every month?
Get the monitoring price in writing before you sign. Basic monitoring with us starts at $31.50 a month. Total Connect, the app that arms and disarms the system, checks history and shows live video, starts at $5.99 a month.
Do you already have a system on the wall?
If you moved into a home with an old system, you may not need to replace it. We take over most existing systems, check the panel and sensors, and connect them to our monitoring.
Next step
The easiest way to answer all five questions is a free assessment. We walk the property, listen to what worries you, and tell you honestly what is worth installing. Call (863) 223-8324 or send us a request on the contact page.
More from us: all security services andthe cities we serve.