Do-it-yourself alarm installation

If you want to install your own alarm system you can save hundreds of dollars in labor charges. The most important consideration is that you use the same equipment and manufacturers that professional alarm companies use.

 You can easily find alarm equipment on the web. A few sites that have fairly reasonable retail prices are www.homesecuritystore.com,  www.youralarmstore.com, and www.AESecurity.com. If you look at the manufacturers web-sites you can identify the products you want to use and find them either at the above stores or directly on the web by “Googleing” the product number.  

E-bay has many used alarm products that can be purchased for 10-20% of the retail cost. If you are considering buying your own equipment it is probably a good idea to have someone review your design and product selection. (E-mail me your list and I will look at it.) 

 When installing your own system it is a good idea to buy a control that can be both hardwired or wireless. All of the manufactures listed above have these panels available. That will allow you all the flexibility you will need to add protection and features in the future.