Home Burglar Alarms? Wired/Wireless and costs?

[rossyl]

Hi Guys,

As I near the start of my long awaited house renovation, one of the issues is the burglar alarm. We need to save costs and with wireless burglar alarms in existence we wondered if this might be a potential DIY job?

I've read good and bad things about wireless burglar alarms. To be honest I'm not sure which to trust, or, which wireless/wired brands to go for.

I'm also not sure what I should be spending on the wired/wireless system.

If I describe the house, maybe someone might have an idea?
It's a mid terrace. The front has a ground floor bay window, a 1st floor bay window and then a velux on the roof. The rear has bi-fold doors at gorund level, a flat roof, 2 first floor windows, and a dormer roof with windows.

Any thoughts/recommendations?

Cheers

 

[MAF260]

Talk to these guys. I have one of these systems fitted to my house and it's excellent. Their monitoring costs also haven't risen in the 11 years I've used them!

http://www.alarm-monitoring.co.uk/

 

[Parisien]

Have one for a number of years after 4/5 of the place I lives 20 odd houses burgled ........great as a safety mechanism.....plus Madame P likes having one


P

 

[rossyl]

Frank - a wireless alarm?

 

[TridentTested]

Anything wireless I've ever used, Bluetooth, wifi broadband, wireless music streaming, my new wireless heating thermostat, always gives trouble.

I changed from wireless music streaming and ran a long optical cable around the living room. Bliss; works every time. I switched off the wireless card in my computer and plugged a good old fashioned Ethernet cable into the router. Ditto, no more problems. The wireless thermostat will be going soon too.

I admit I have no knowledge of the wireless alarm technology but I would take a lot of convincing before I would rely on such flakey technology for such an important task.

 

[Parisien]

Hard wired.............................apparently more reliable, less false alarms......which soon hack off the local plod........and only marginally more expensive to put in......4/5 of us got it done together so got 30% off installation


P

 

[cobratwin]

Two Big FO dogs should sort it!

otherwise id go Wired everytime.

 

[Emtee]

I've been exceptionally pleased with my wired system. All entry points have a hard wired, motion sensor triggered sprinkler system above, and all entry handles are wired directly to the local sub-station.

Other than the occasional smell of burning flesh I've never been bothered by intruders.

 

[nfm]

Had wireless in old thick walled house and worked fine. Only false alarms were spiders moving into sensor (would happen with wired as well?) or batteries going flat.

 

[rossyl]

Had wireless in old thick walled house and worked fine. Only false alarms were spiders moving into sensor (would happen with wired as well?) or batteries going flat.

Can you recall the brand?

Thanks everyone

 

[nfm]

Connelly Security Systems CSS - it was up in Scotland

 

[dem maser]

I too am interested.....

 

[Gazcw]

Hi Rossyl

Having spent 18years installing them in anything from houses to MOD sites and banks, I would definitely go wired, especially if you are renovating as you will be able to hide the cables. Wireless is improving year on year but can cause problems and you have the hassle of changing batteries.

Prices are surprisingly cheap. Movement detectors are around a tenna for a decent make and a more stable dual detector (for the masser pad (garage)) is £15. You can get a decent control panel for £50 and a bell and battery will set you back another £20-25. Any control panel will come with relevant instructions for wiring and programming. Trust me it is a doddle!

If you want monitoring and some form of Police response then you need an approved system installed professionally. Some companies offer free kit and installation but you will be signing up to 3 yrs of monthly payments. Hope this helps.

ps. New here and currently looking for that just right 4200.

Great forum

G.

 

[Parisien]

Welcome Gazcw....plenty of advice and help on here...ask away and hopefully you'll experience the greatest thrill of all.....buying a proper Maserati!


P

 

[Gazcw]

Thanks Parisien. Site was recommended by a friend as excellent and I have been reading plenty of advice since to assist my search.

G.

 

[Parisien]

If buying from someone you don't know, best to get a full indie inspection, cost £200 or so, can reveal lots of things needing doing plus they can hook it up to a Maserati diagnostic kit.......can save you a few grand!


P

 

[VMSRTI]

We have everything wired including garage and back sheds. Had the odd false alarm in the sheds due to insects etc otherwise very happy.

 

[CatmanV2]

Hi Rossyl

Having spent 18years installing them in anything from houses
G.

Oooh, Hi Gaz, and welcome

might be able to give us some advice We moved into a house last year with a 'Tate' alarm. Can't find anything on line. Have you ever heard of them? I expect it's a POS, but just curious.

TIA

C

 

[Geofflyn]

City house is wired and never a problem, beach house is wireless and lots of false alarms. I would go hard wired if you can

 

[Gazcw]

Oooh, Hi Gaz, and welcome

might be able to give us some advice We moved into a house last year with a 'Tate' alarm.

Hi

Yes off the shelf. If you have a model number, I may be able to obtain manuals. All depends what you are looking to do with it (change codes etc)?

G.