With various equipment options, system types, and providers, shopping for the best home security in Pittsburgh can be overwhelming. Ultimately, your goal is to select the right system and company that best protects your home and family. To help guide your shopping experience, we’re sharing a detailed list of questions to consider before purchasing a home security system in Pittsburgh.
What to Consider When Shopping for Home Security in Pittsburgh
We began protecting homes in the Pittsburgh area over 70 years ago, so we know a thing or two about what to consider when shopping for the right security products to keep a home safe. As crime rates unfortunately continue to rise within the Pittsburgh area, finding a new home security system can grant you the much-needed peace of mind that half of U.S. citizens enjoy with their security systems.
With so many elements to consider when shopping for the right devices to protect your home, we know that it can quickly become overwhelming. That’s why we’ve listed a few of the essential questions to ask yourself throughout the process and listed them below.
Who and/or What Do I Need to Protect My Home?
First, it is important to determine what you want to prioritize with your smart home security system. For instance, are you primarily looking to prevent break-ins? Are you hoping to use your system to check on pets while you’re away? Or are you looking for a collection of smart devices to help make your life a little bit easier?
Of course, there are many ways that your home security system can protect against burglaries, but your equipment can also provide life safety and smart features to make your life even easier and safer. The benefits you receive from your system are entirely dependent on the devices you choose.
Regardless of your intentions with your home security system, you should find a customizable solution to make achieving these goals simple. Not every home security device is essential for a person’s system, and some pieces of equipment might be more important to you than others. By deciding what you want your home security system to achieve, you can narrow down what devices will be most important for your Pittsburgh home.
How Will My System Work to Protect Me and My Pittsburgh Property?
Figuring out how you want your home security system to operate is also an important question to ask yourself. Whether it is through landline, broadband, or cellular communication, you should be aware of how your security system will communicate with your alarm company. See the different ways your system can do so below.
Landline
With landline communication, your alarm system will use a hardwired telephone service connection to communicate with your home security company. These are reliable, especially in a power outage, but if your phone line is cut, you may be out of luck.
Broadband
This form of communication can send a signal with your existing broadband internet connection. Though this is often fast and simple, if your internet goes down, your home security system will be unable to send any signals.
Cellular
Cellular communication uses cellular radio just like your smartphone. It gives you complete access to interactive services and is a wireless option that enables you to control your system through your phone, tablet, or computer so that you can manage and monitor your home on the go.
What Kind of Equipment Do I Need?
Here’s the fun part: Picking out your equipment! The best security companies allow you to mix and match devices for the best solution to address your unique needs. Whether it is intrusion detection, life safety, or video surveillance that you want to prioritize, home security experts like Guardian Protection have a variety of equipment options to choose from so that you can create the exact system you want for your Pittsburgh home with everything you need and nothing that you don’t.
Guardian also offers FREE quotes and at-home consultations so that our security experts can make sure that your equipment and security services are meeting all of your needs. If you’re at a loss wondering how best to protect your home, give us a call and schedule a free consultation today!
Or find the best home security equipment for you by taking our packages quiz!
Should I Use Professional Installation or DIY?
DIY-ing your home security system may be appealing, but cutting corners when it comes to your security can have serious consequences. In the end, the difference between DIY and professional installation is simple: Unlike doing it all by yourself, professional technicians are able to identify vulnerable areas in your home, can answer your questions as they go, and will get it right the first time.
By having a security system professionally installed, you won’t have to worry about faulty device placements or Googling how to work your security system after it’s been put up. For example, Guardian’s security experts are licensed in Pittsburgh to secure your home efficiently and are able to help you every step of the way to make sure that you don’t have to go back and redo any part of the installation process. In our humble opinion, that kind of peace of mind is priceless.
Do I Need Monitoring to Protect My Pittsburgh Property?
You’ll find in your search for the best home security system that many systems are not professionally monitored, especially DIY security devices. Professional monitoring may initially seem like something you don’t need, but in the event of an emergency, you may start to think differently.
For example, if you’re not at your house in Pittsburgh to keep an eye on the safety of your property and loved ones, who is there to ensure that they’re protected? Sure, an alarm might be triggered, but without professional monitoring, if you’re not around to hear it and react accordingly, the alert is as good as useless.
With professional monitoring, an array of trained security professionals are looking out for you around the clock. Guardian’s monitoring centers are located in the Pittsburgh area, so if an alarm is triggered that you are not able to respond to, a local team of experts will spring into action to make sure that everything is alright and that if something is amiss, you receive the help you need. The peace of mind that comes with knowing professionals are always looking out for the safety of you and your loved ones is unmatched. In our books, this is an essential part of home security.
Read More On No Monitoring vs. Pro Monitoring
What Can I Expect the Cost To Be for Protecting My Pittsburgh Home?
The simple answer is that the cost of your home security system depends. Features like the cost of installation, repair costs, activation fees, monthly rates, and upfront equipment prices will make the total fluctuate. For instance, Guardian offers free quotes while other security providers might charge for these services. While price is obviously important to consider, keep in mind that the most important aspect when it comes to home security shopping is whether or not a system will meet your needs. If a security system doesn’t do what you need it to, it is a waste of time and money,
Making the Choice for Home Security in Pittsburgh
We know that this decision may be daunting. There are a lot of attributes that go into your final choice. Price, awards, company reputation, and professional services are all important to consider before you make your decision. When something as important as you and your loved one’s safety is on the line, you want the best fit for you. So shop wisely and if you have any additional questions or concerns, you can speak to one of our security experts at 1.800.PROTECT.
Stay safe, Pittsburgh!
