I initially got a quote from ADT with free equipment and a $65/month plan for 3 years. It even included two outdoor cameras. But after reading a lot of mixed reviews about ADT dealers, I’m considering going with a local provider that uses Alarm.com. Their quote seems a bit pricey, though. Here’s what they offered:
Installation Quote:
Qolsys touchscreen alarm panel with backup battery (Alarm.com)
Front Door Sensor
Garage Entry Door Sensor
Kitchen Slider Sensor
Glassbreak Detector for the main panel
Motion Sensor
Smoke Detector
The installation comes to $995, and monthly monitoring is $40, with smartphone control included.
Not sure if this quote is worth it, but you could also try a DIY system like Simplisafe. I’ve installed it in three places, and it’s been super easy each time.
I’d go with Ring or Simplisafe and buy everything you need yourself. ADT’s setup isn’t that much better than the high-end DIY systems.
The quote you have looks designed to keep the upfront cost under $1000, but when you add it all up, it’s around $3300. Monitoring costs around $10 a month if you go with something like Noonlight. I’d expect Ring and others to get close to that pricing eventually.
Camila said: @Nova
$10 for all that with Alarm.com? For monitoring, LTE, Z-Wave, and cloud recording, my provider cost alone is more than double that.
I was talking about basic alarm monitoring. Ring’s all-in pro plan is about $20/month or $200 per year, so with OP’s quote, there’s an extra $45 per month in there.
@Nova
That’s not really a fair comparison. Ring’s quality doesn’t match what Alarm.com offers, but for a lighter setup, Ring can work. I just have privacy concerns with Ring; it feels too tied into big data companies.
@LizCampell
So, how exactly does Alarm.com work? I read that you need a listed provider to set it up, and then the monitoring is done through Alarm.com—is that right?
Gary said: @LizCampell
So, how exactly does Alarm.com work? I read that you need a listed provider to set it up, and then the monitoring is done through Alarm.com—is that right?
Yeah, Alarm.com manages a whole system for security, video, automation, wellness, and access. You don’t contract directly with them. Instead, you work with one of their dealers who handles equipment and integrates it all.
Gary said: @LizCampell
So, how exactly does Alarm.com work? I read that you need a listed provider to set it up, and then the monitoring is done through Alarm.com—is that right?
Yes, there are a bunch of dealers for Alarm.com, and each installs similar components. They all connect to different monitoring centers, with Alarm.com providing the main interface.
Are you dealing in USD or CAD? Just asking because the Qolsys IQ4 panel is about $500-600 CAD dealer cost on its own, and adding in a smoke detector and install does get close to $1000.
As for $40/month monitoring, it’s a bit above some options around here but still pretty fair for an Alarm.com setup. And $42 for window sensors is a great price!
The ADT quote sounds like a long contract and financing deal—a bit of a headache.
The pricing on Qolsys parts and services looks similar to what I offer. You might not need everything they listed, but it would give you a feature-rich system if you get a quality install.
I read through the ADT and Vivint contracts and pricing, and I ran for the hills. Another person here recommended going with a local Alarm.com dealer. I did, and I’m very happy with my experience so far.
Looks like around $500-600 in equipment here, so about $400 for installation. Not terrible, but you could try a DIY approach if you’re comfortable with it.
I’m not a fan of the monthly fee, though. You can find Alarm.com monitoring for as low as $22/month through providers like Surety Home. Local dealers are great if you prefer that, but double the cost might not be worth it.
I like Alarm.com hardware overall, but I’d avoid using them for video personally. For DIY, I wouldn’t suggest Simplisafe or Ring; Alarm.com gear is better quality and doesn’t cost too much more.