As more and more domestic and commercial properties are covered by security alarm systems, so the need to keep the systems up-to-date and as effective as possible becomes more and more key for optimum protection. Ripping out an old system in favour of installing a new one every time a significant upgrade hits the market is not practical. However, upgrading an existing system is eminently possible and, indeed, advisable as a way to keep pace with changes and developments in the alarms and security arena.
Choosing who to manage your upgrade installation is, however, very important as you need to ensure the work is carried out reliably, on schedule and within budget. There are various things to look out for when choosing your home alarm upgrade contractors, from flexibility to after-sales support.
Flexible contracts
Your alarm upgrade company should be willing to work with you as the client to fit in with your schedule, requirements and – as much as possible – your budget. Ask your domestic alarm upgrade installer how they negotiate contracts for the work, as well as any ongoing servicing and maintenance contracts for an idea of how they operate. You should also be able to view all the available options for the upgrades to an alarm system and ask for guidance in choosing the right combination for your individual requirements. If your chosen provider appears inflexible or unwilling to tailor their service provision to your needs, this could be a warning sign to look elsewhere.
Competitive costs
Your home security upgrade should not cost the Earth and it is important to ‘shop around’ to find a supplier offering competitive costs that suit your budget. Look for a supplier that offers transparent, honest information with a comprehensive schedule of costs and figures for any added extras or overrunning of work for complete transparency. Don’t immediately opt for the cheapest quote you can find, however, as it can be a case of ‘you get what you pay for’. Choose a company offering clear, transparent costing that seems reasonable and fits with your budget is a good way to proceed.
Specialist support
Choose a company that specialises in either domestic or commercial security system upgrades, or both to get a more reliable, knowledgeable approach. Going with a general alarm installation company may result in the work not being carried out to as high a standard, as the engineers may not have such extensive experience specifically in upgrading existing security systems. If you can, find a company that specialises in the type and brand of system that you already have installed so that you can benefit from their more precise knowledge of your individual system and its scope for expansion and upgrading.
Emergency call outs
Good customer service shouldn’t end when you sign on the dotted line to acknowledge that the upgrading work has been completed. A sign of a security system upgrading company that is willing to go the extra mile is one that offers after-sales support and additional services such as emergency call out support, either as part of the main costs or for a reasonable additional amount. Ask how the company handles emergency call outs and what the procedures are for alerting the police or security specialists, resetting alarms after erroneous activation and providing advice and support after an emergency call out.
Servicing and maintenance
Closely aligned to after-sales support is the question of servicing and maintenance. Even if you already have this service in place from your original installation, it is worth enquiring into how your home alarm system upgrade company handles this aspect of security system management. It could be that they can offer a better deal than your existing provider, or that the upgraded equipment requires a different approach to the maintenance programme. Either way, any company that can show you full dedication to after-sales support in areas such as servicing and maintenance are worth following up on.
