Do you wish your system had more smart home features — like controlling the thermostat from an app, turning on lights, or seeing live video inside your home?
Do you wonder why you’re paying high monthly fees and getting terrible customer service? You deserve better. And it’s out there.
Depending on who manufactured your security equipment, other companies may be able to monitor your alarm system even if they weren’t the original installers. We’ll help you through the process.
Question: I paid a lot for my equipment, can I reuse it without having to buy more?
Yes, in most cases you can. It actually is pretty simple to make the switch, and we are happy to assist you through that process.
Question: Should I switch my existing monitoring company or buy a completely new system?
When you switch to a better home security monitoring company, it is called a system takeover. The best thing here is that, if it’s relatively modern and compatible, you can keep the equipment you already own!
Question: How does the switch happen?
We first send one of our trained technicians to your home to determine the equipment you have and current monitoring situation. It’s in our best interest to have long-term customers. Our goal is not to sell you things that you don’t need, but simply to ensure that you are properly protected and that your system can communicate with our central station in an emergency.
If we exhaust all possibilities and cannot connect your current system to our central station, we will go over with you the best equipment options tailored to your home and lifestyle and give you time to consider them.
Question: When is it necessary to replace your equipment?
Your alarm system is proprietary. This simply means that your system is programmed to ONLY function with the original company that sold it to you. One of the best examples is SimpliSafe or Xfinity. These companies design equipment this way to ensure that customers have to stay with them. If a customer decides to leave, this means leaving hundreds of dollars behind and a huge headache for you. This is great for their bottom line, but we don’t share those same values. We know how expensive replacing that equipment can be, and that is why we only sell equipment that ALL alarm companies can monitor. We don’t ever want you to have to buy an entirely new system again. But if you ever would like more features, you can add on the required individual pieces.
Your alarm system is too old to provide adequate protection. Many houses, apartments and businesses still use systems that were manufactured many years ago. This severely limits the options you have for sensors, security cameras, and smart home upgrades as you want to change. An outdated system also presents a security risk to you. Older equipment relies on landlines to communicate with the central station, which smart burglars will cut before going in.
Your alarm company changed the installer code. When we have our technicians reprogram the equipment, we have to enter a specific code to access the back-end of the alarm’s programming. We know all of the default codes used in systems, but if the alarm company you had previously used has changed those codes, it becomes much more difficult for us to reprogram your old system. In some cases, it is possible that even if your equipment is compatible, your alarm company has effectively “locked out” other companies from doing a system takeover. We recommend that you try and ask your alarm company for the installer code first to see if they will provide it to you.
Question: So how do I make the switch?
Step 1: Read your monitoring contract
If you are currently in an agreement with a security company, you probably signed an agreement with them stating that you’ll stay with them for a certain amount of time. You want to make sure that you are not still bound by that contract when you make the switch, otherwise they usually make you pay a fee.
By using this sort of contract, many alarm companies are able to reduce the upfront cost to you and let you pay off the difference over a certain number of months. The downside of this is that you are locked into an agreement with them until it finishes.
However, if you are unable to find the document, request it from your alarm company and they’ll send it over. Make sure to take note of the following:
Expiration date
Renewal (is it automatic?)
Early contract cancellation fees or penalties
Step 2: find a local alarm monitoring company
Finding a local company really matters. Security Complete has built a strong reputation over the past 20 years with first responders and law enforcement. We are here to give you the best protection possible. If you ask anyone who’s shopped around at multiple alarm companies and tested them out, they’ll say the same thing: go local.
Whenever you buy professional-grade technology like this, you want the reassurance that customer service will be able to help you if things don’t work as they should. You deserve people who treat you as a valued individual, not a number.
Question: What should I look for in a local alarm company?
Where are they based? Do they handle their own monitoring or do they outsource it? Is it locally-based?
Call them. Do they answer the phone or are you forced into an automated system without an option to speak to anyone?
Read the reviews. These are a great resource to see what other real people think about this company.
Question: What should I ask a potential company that I may want to use?
How much will you have to pay per month?
How long does the monitoring contract last?
Can they walk you through any additional fees in addition to any upfront cost and monitoring subscription?
What certifications does the central station have? Will you ever have to contact them?
Can you reuse your equipment with another alarm company?
step 3: reach out to the new alarm company
Once you have done your research and have determined you’ve found the right security company to do the job, get in contact with them either by phone or by submitting a form on their website.
Schedule an appointment with your new provider. If you already know what system you have installed, it’s easy for us to know whether we can reuse it or if we will need a new panel.
Check for an insurance discount. Many different insurance companies understand the value of having a home security system. Call your insurance company to find out how much they offer. Your savings could be as much as 20% when you have a monitored intrusion system.
Question: What is the most difficult part about choosing a local alarm company?
Finding the right local alarm company may take a bit more work on your part, and many people get frustrated and go with a larger national brand. But the effort to choose a local company is well worth your time.
Rather than pay higher prices to support national marketing costs, you may find that you can get superior service, top notch equipment, and local monitoring for even less!
If you want the best security company in your area, we encourage you to shop around and ask the right questions. Spending those few extra minutes to understand the company you are dealing with will save you a lot of headache and disappointment down the line.