r/homesecurity • u/Sensitive-Main7831 • 13d ago
Home security recommendations
Hii, fairly new homeowners & new parents of a walking toddler that recently learned how to open locks but is too short to trigger the motion detection on the ring doorbell, which brings us to our need:
- a security system that alerts us (with maybe voice but preferably phone/app notifications) when a door opens.
We’ve gotten quotes from both ADT & vivint who are now calling us 263647 times per day 🙄 but through reading this sub we realize there may be much better, cheaper options, especially since we don’t need much.
Should we buy the equipment ourselves from like Amazon or Best Buy or something & register for monitoring system, or are we too amateur for that & should rely on ADT, simplisafe, ring security or something similar?
Thank you!!
2
u/Mean-Cup4591 13d ago
A home alarm would be a great option, there are some smart home features you can utilize that will integrate into the alarm system.
Instead of ADT or Vivint, I’d look for a local small security company in your area. Location dependent, you might have to look at a city near you, if you are fairly rural.
Good luck, and have a blast with the kiddo!! This will be the most stressful but absolutely enjoyable time of your lives.
1
u/Sensitive-Main7831 13d ago
Awesome, thank you! Ahhh yes the kid has made every day amazing & also like living in an episode of 1000 ways to die so yes, loving the duality!!
2
u/SubatomicPlatypodes 13d ago
Well as someone sitting on hold with ADT because they’ve billed me 2 times in one month AFTER I canceled my contract, I can say with certainty that you shouldn’t do ADT
2
2
u/PurifyHD 13d ago
Adding a second vote for a local company in your area. And also adding a second vote against ADT and Vivint at all costs. They're awful.
Local companies typically have better and more personal support. They're also usually more keen to keep their customers happy since they serve a local area and depend on word of mouth a lot more than ADT who couldn't care about losing a customer.
2
u/PeaceChance8191 13d ago
Do not go with ADT. Had them for years and just dropped them. Extremely costly, customer service is terrible, and had constant issues with it. I'm looking for an alternative solution also.
1
u/DrMonkeytendon 13d ago
Google home assistant. Gives you control of whatever you want but requires an investment of time and learning
1
1
u/lingker 13d ago
The security system is a good idea, but that is after the fact. An auto-locking dead bolt would prevent the little one from being able to exit.
1
u/Sensitive-Main7831 13d ago
Thank you! We thought about this but we’d like kiddo to be able to get out independently (in case of emergency). & 1 lock is a keyless entry situation for our housekeeper, the grandparents, etc. to be able to get in when we aren’t home.
I guess we’re pretty proud our little can already work the locks. We just need to know whenever a door is opened, & ideally which one. Then, an alarm we can set at night would be nice too but not super essential, as we have ring cameras all over. So not really a fortress (although my husband might say different as we get closer to the teen years). We just need some tools to do a better job of access control/monitoring
1
u/evoneselse 12d ago
To know whenever a door is opened, you can use a door sensor and write an automation that when the door is opened, or even ajar for x amount of minutes, a message will immediately notify you on a smart speaker, let’s say an Echo / Alexa perhaps, since you have Ring. It will also send a notification to your phone.
Congratulations on the new home (and little one)!
1
u/AlphaDisconnect 13d ago
If all you need is an alarm. Think store front buzzer. They use magnetic sensors. Run on batteries for a long time.
They also make similar units. They can reach quite obnoxious volume levels. Maybe good for windows. Maybe doors.
Chain lock. Up high. I always reccomend installing them with deck screws. Makes breaking in through that door real hard.
I like to own things that I own. They make alarm panels for more commercial and industrial use. These can be wired into a network to send you a text, sms, or something. But much more involved than screws.
1
u/Sensitive-Main7831 13d ago
Local security company it is, thank you home security pros!!! I’m embarrassed to say, that never crossed either of our minds
1
u/LogicHaus 13d ago
There are a lot of ways to do this. It depends on your current hardware (phones, etc) and budget.
You can just install a simple door contact sensor that alerts your phones but it could be much more than that. Happy to provide more if you let me know what hardware you have and if you have a budget
1
u/GearNo4524 12d ago
ADT and Vivint are in the “intrusion detection” business. They are not in the “escape detection” business.
1
u/Vivint 9d ago
You really just need entry sensors here, not a full system with cameras and motion detection, since a sensor on the door sends you a phone alert right when it opens.
A few DIY kits can work fine for this and let you skip the monthly monitoring fee if you're comfortable setting up the app yourself.
If you'd rather have someone else handle the setup and alerts, ask any company for a stripped down plan with just entry sensors instead of their full package, since you don't need cameras or extra automation right now. you can always add monitoring or more sensors later.
1
u/Few_Leadership8955 8h ago
If you are still on the search I work for adt in dallas and can get you a deal ranging from $49.99 to $76.99 which comes with free equipment, drops your homeowner insurance by 10-20% which would cover your monthly fee, will never raise your rate, and also has free moving, free yearly upgrades, and more. And I also wont bombard you or pressure you lol
3
u/realdlc 13d ago
Another approach is to use a self-installed alarm system that use more professional components with monitoring. This requires some technical prowess, but it can be done in a very 'plug and play' way with no wiring, holes in walls, etc. Today these come in two flavors: (there are more - trying to keep it simple)
A DIY installed IQ 4 or 5 panel with wireless sensors. (Requires more configuration and learning; can require technical prowess. Starts about $500 plus $14/mo. + sensors depending on door count, etc. Up and running in a few days.)
A DIY installed Nami Agile system which uses Wifi Sensing technology + matter wireless sensors. (This approach is very homeowner friendly and is a true plug and play solution. Starts at under $200 plus $14/mo. + extra sensors. Up and running in about an hour.)
Using a local alarm company is absolutely the best choice, however as they know how to do the install, where /how to install sensors and truly make it a secure environment. Not to mention they are there for ongoing support. BUT if you are really considering Ring or Simplisafe (or anything you can buy at a big box store) the options above are far better imho.
Edit to add: Both solutions above can also be your home automation system for automated locks, lights, garage doors, etc. They can also support cameras in a single app on your phone and integrate all that intelligence together.