How Do I Find A Good Alarm Installer?

[Sandy Beech]

Hi

We seem to be riding a crime wave locally and finally feel the need for an alarm to be installed.

How do we find a reliable installer?

Thanks

 

[breezer]

drive around and see who has most bell boxes, they must be doing something right.

ideally you should go to the police station and ask for the CPO and ask him for a list of reputable companies.

no matter who you get dont fall for anything about radio alarms, you dont want one.

 

[scott1980]

If you want an alarm worth having:

http://www.ssaib.org/
http://www.nsi.org.uk/

If you want "cheap", the back of the local paper will probably be littered with £150 fitted ads.

 

[Atilla]

no matter who you get dont fall for anything about radio alarms, you dont want one.

now remember marmite

 

[joe-90]

I've fitted hundreds (even thousands) of domestic 'cheapies' over the years. Same gear as the big companies - and almost all still going strong. (Scantronic mainly).

 

[Handykindabloke]

Hi

We seem to be riding a crime wave locally and finally feel the need for an alarm to be installed.

How do we find a reliable installer?

Thanks

1. Ask around locally from people you know. Ask the local police about local companies. They probably wont recommend anyone as they should remain impartial but they can have ways of letting you know who is good.

2. DON'T Rely on any so called trade organisation's as there are good and bad in them and good and bad not in them.

3. Just because there are load of bell boxes up doesn't mean the alarms, service or prices are any good!

4. Consider extra physical security as well or better still before you fit an alarm. Think about how you would in if you lost your keys then how you could make that more difficult.

5. Keep friendly with neighbours who can spot trouble when your not there.

6. Re-design your garden if necessary to avoid high hedges or walls that hide your house from passers by.

7. Fit low energy lights (possibly dusk to dawn) in dark areas. Don't bother with these high powered halogen lamps on a PIR switcher as they blind and annoy everyone except a burglar!

 

[Sandy Beech]

Many thanks for all replies.

We talked around and asked for quotes off two of the longer established local installers. One came round fairly quickly has a good reputation and gave us a quote within a reasonable time. The other has carried out work next door and came round to see us eventually despite being next door for a few visits since first being asked to call. Now one week later we are still waiting for his quote.

Decision could well come down simply to our confidence in getting it down when we need it done by.

Again - Thanks Guys.

 

[Atilla]

2. DON'T Rely on any so called trade organisation's as there are good and bad in them and good and bad not in them.

didnt realise there were any trade organisations for the alarm industry

 

[Handykindabloke]

2. DON'T Rely on any so called trade organisation's as there are good and bad in them and good and bad not in them.

didnt realise there were any trade organisations for the alarm industry

How would you describe the ssaib and nsi then?

 

[securitywarehouse]

nsi and ssaib are independant inspectorates like corgi, niceic etc that inspect security companies to ensure they are complaint and able to issue certificates etc.

The trade assoc for the security industry is the BSIA and they do not as with other trade associations inpsect.

 

[Atilla]

The trade assoc for the security industry is the BSIA and they do not as with other trade associations inpsect.

Oh yeah, theres those guys, I forgot LOL