Big Market Security Companies and DYI Systems vs. Local Licensed Professionals

Bottom line: Nothing is “Free”.

The security industry has trended toward a “market by volume and shortcuts ideology” promulgated mainly by larger alarm companies. The “cookie cutter” service they provide to remain competitive mandates that the systems they install are reduced to a yard sign, 3 doors and a motion detector.

Maximum Security is so much more! Our customers and their personal needs are as different as their fingerprints. Some people may have physical challenges. Others may have personal preferences regarding the location of devices (i.e. keypads, motion sensors, panic buttons, etc.) and type of protection they feel they need.

We have solutions for special needs that may not be found with the standard “3 doors and a motion detector” systems offered by the other companies who are trying to service a volume based market.

Nothing is “Free”.

The installation cost of that so-called “free alarm” is incorporated into the long term life of the contract, and if you still are tolerating the poor service at the end of the contract term, it renews while you are still paying for the installation costs long after they have been satisfied by your contract terms.

DIY (Do It Yourself) is not much better. So many “Big Stores” now offer DIY alarm systems. Once you have ordered and begun installing the DIY alarm system, if you are successful at actually getting everything to work, you now have to deal with an out of state monitoring company that knows very little about your local alarm ordinances.

Do they know that in Florida they are required to contact local police to cancel your alarm dispatch if you give them the correct code prior to police arrival? It will cost you in false alarm fines if they don’t do this.

Many of these DIY alarm monitoring companies operate without a required Florida State license. Their operators are required to be FASA/BASA Certified in Florida. For more information, please go to the Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board website.

That means that each of their operators and technicians must graduate from a State of Florida mandated certification program every two years. Not meeting these requirements is a criminal offense in Florida. For more information, please visit The 2014 Florida Statutes web page and/or contact the Alarm Association of Florida at (800) 899-2099.

For some, DIY is an option. If you are adept and savvy at DIY projects and you get lucky, you may be OK. But if you consider your family’s safety and home security a critical issue, doing it yourself may be as smart as DIY brain surgery.

A reliable security system installation is much more than just “sticky taping” sensors to windows and 10 minutes of programming. Do these out of town guys know the regulations for registering and permitting alarms in your town? Not properly registering your alarm can result in hefty fines from your city.

How do you get repair or replacement parts in a timely fashion? Call China?

Nothing is “Free.”