DIY (Do it Yourself) Q&A (Questions and Answers)

Some people simply prefer to do things on their own. We call this type of person a 'DIY enthusiast'. If you fall into this category then this page is for you. Here we will give some common questions and answers for buying and installing your own home security system. The first thing that you might want to do is to take a look at the products and devices that are available for you to buy online. Then you might want to take a look at the home security monitoring companies so that you can compare options.

Are DIY Home Security Systems Hard to Install?
Most people are capable of reading and following instructions. If you can do that then there is a good chance that you can install a basic home security system yourself. The security devices usually come with instructions that are fairly easy to read and understand. If you have any questions about your security system then you can call the company where you purchased it and they will usually be happy to answer any questions that you may have. In general, the more robust the system, the more technical knowledge you will need in order to complete the installation.

Should I buy a Wired or Wireless Home Security System?
A hardwired home security system needs to be wired into the existing wiring of your home. This can be quite difficult for the average person. However, if you happen to be building a new home, the wiring is much easier to do. This is especially true if the interior sheetrock has yet to be hung. It can also be done after the home is finished but this requires quite a bit more work and time since the wiring would need to be fed through the walls. On the other hand, wireless home security systems usually just need to be plugged in and mounted on a wall. A wireless security system can usually be installed in a matter of just a few hours. The choice is all yours and greatly depends on your skill level and how much time you would like to dedicate to this project.

What are the Basic Steps for Installing a Security System?
The first step is to plan everything out. Decide where you want to put your control panel. It is usually best to install the control panel close to a door that is used the most. This location should also be close to an electrical outlet that is not controlled by a switch. It might be a good idea to install your control panel in plain sight so that the bad guys will see that you have an alarm system. Burglars usually skip houses that have a home security system installed.

After you have decided on a good location, the next step is to install the control panel. You should install the control panel at the height where it will be easy to access the keypad and read the display. The only part of a 'wireless' home security system that is not actually 'wireless' is the control panel. It has a wire that needs to be connected to an outlet. It is best to run this wire through the wall (drilling required). Your control panel will typically be hardwired into your electrical system but will also come with a battery backup in case of power failure.

Next you will want to install the actual alarm. You will need to have a look at the manufacturer's instruction manual in order to get the directions for programming the alarm. You can usually use a small screwdriver in order to set the house code. The alarms need to be plugged into an electrical outlet that is not controlled by a switch.

Then program the control panel. Using the keypad, program the features of the alarm system. Your wireless home security system should come with detailed instructions on how to program your system through your control panel. Just follow the instructions and if you have any problems, don't be afraid to call the company that you bought your system from.

Now you need to install the sensors of your home security system. There will typically be door and window sensors to install. The sensors usually include a magnet and a transmitter. Attach the transmitter to the edge of the window frame and/or door frame. The magnet needs to be attached to the actual window or door. The basic concept to keep in mind here is that when these two devices touch, the transmitter sends a signal to the main panel and says, "everything is good, the door or window is closed". When they are separated, the transmitter sends a signal that says, "everything may not be so good, the window or door is open".

Test your new home security system. Your last step is to test your newly installed wireless home security system in order to prove to yourself that you are a jack of all trades. Refer to your instruction manual. Have a look at your control panel and try to find a button that says something like "test mode". It is a good idea to test all of the sensors and all of the functions that are part of the particular home security system that you have installed. If everything works, congratulations, you are a jack of all trades.

Continue to test your system about once per month. If everything is not working as you thought it would, go back and retrace your steps to see if there is anything that you missed. If you can't find your error then it is possible that you may need to call the company that you bought the system from.

DIY or Professional Installation
If you choose to go with DIY security system installation, there are some drawbacks you need to be aware of. Sometimes wireless home security systems can be more expensive than hardwired systems. Another possible drawback is that the security system installation process can be time consuming and you need to follow the instruction manual faithfully.

There can be a bit of a learning curve when it comes to knowing how to arm, disarm and properly use your security system in general. If you opt for professional installation then the installer will make sure that you thoroughly understand how to use your home security system.

For some people and for certain types of homes, professional home security system installation is a better solution. You need to really take a close look at the benefits and the drawbacks of these two different options.

One of the biggest advantages of going with professional installation is that you have a provider to rely on if something happens to go wrong with your security system. Keep in mind that if you go with one of the well known security service providers you will have less options when it comes to the types of devices that you can choose from. Sure, they almost all offer top of the line equipment but if you go the DIY route then you can pick and choose exactly how much you want to spend on your equipment. Of course, that doesn't really matter all that much if the provider offers free equipment.

In the end, the choice is really up to you. You can go with a full blown, well known home security company who will install, test and monitor your system giving you the piece of mind in knowing that you are being looked after 24 hours a day. Or, you can save a few bucks and do it all yourself and still have a reasonable amount of security.