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July 26, 2007
anyone liked their alarm installer?
I'm looking to put an alarm system into a house I'm fixing up. From what I've read, the installer is as important as the company — in that the companies mostly sub-out installations and the work quality can really vary. any recommendations for an installer someone has worked with and liked?? thanks in advance!!!
Comments
Call Carlton at Hotzone Fire & Security. He's good, a hard worker, and true to his word. His number is 718-237-3724. If you want more info, you can e-mail me at jflorio@acmecreative.net
Posted by: John Florio at July 26, 2007 11:31 PM
i used adt and they were AWFUL.
Posted by: pietro at July 27, 2007 7:22 AM
I can't believe I'm writing this, because I used ADT in Chicago years ago and HATED them, but our ADT installer here in Brookyln was fabulous. Fast, no ridiculous up-selling, and professional. It ain't cheap, but my insurance requires it. Whaddya gonna do.
Posted by: bob999 at July 27, 2007 11:15 AM
great experience with Protection One.
Posted by: lp at July 27, 2007 12:03 PM
ADT sent someone friendly, but completely neurotic and difficult to communicate with.
Posted by: Anonymous at July 27, 2007 12:16 PM
check out nextalarm.com - its an ip based wireless system... like $10 a month - self install...
only downfall is it goes through the modem (we opted for no hard line) - if thats down or power is out it cant sending signals but i find it very effective...cops show up if i trip the alarm accidentally...also hooked into our smoke detectors...
All in all I spent about $600 several hours of setup and $10 a month for the same service ADT provides..
Posted by: bc at July 27, 2007 12:20 PM
As an alarm installer who has done several brownstones and lots of high end work, I tell you the original poster is correct. The installer is far more important than the company. Though I will say ADT stands for Another Dumb Technician, and AFA stands for Another Farking Asshole. The monitoring by ADT is all done in Kansas and they are known tobe less than prompt in both service and responding to alarms. Read, you could wait 6 months for a simple repair. Always ask for the lead technician to do your install, and if you own a brownstone, consider a wireless system.
Posted by: JohnJ at July 28, 2007 10:32 AM
Slomins tortured me with a re-installation of my alarm system. Multiple no-shows, major confusion with the cost which was high, scheduling mistakes and incomplete work. I continued with this masochism because I had 3 years left on my contract and the cost would have been 1200 dollars to terminate. I finally got a guy (Scotty) to install who was excellent and had the emotional intelligence to recognize my near homicidal condition and was very respectful and professional.
Check the contract you sign for its tenor. Good luck.
Posted by: anon at July 29, 2007 9:43 PM
I'm a brownstoner and a happy customer of Supreme Security (based in Long Island City). They do a lot of commercial work and approach their residential work with the same diligence.
I checked out a number of firms - the well-known outfits generally sent salespeople who barely know what they're doing - people who would try to tell me that a front door sensor and one motion detector could protect a 4-story townhouse. But, the specialty commercial folks tried to sell me systems worthy of Fort Knox.
Supreme was a nice middle ground. They are hardly cheap, but they did a complete survey of the building and explained in great detail their recommendations for a variety of approaches depending on my budget and level of paranoia.
In general, their approach is to give you a system with a number of checks and balances. It's important to BOTH monitor doors and windows, as well as augment with motion sensors. In addition, our smoke detector on each floor and heat detectors in kitchen and boiler room are wired into the centrally monitored alarm system.
Most of my system is wireless, though the keypads need to be hardwired. And I have never had a false alarm (that I did not set off myself).
In short, I recommend these guys whenever I can.
Ask for Mark.
Posted by: Miguel at July 30, 2007 10:12 AM
10:12 Can you please post the # for Supreme
Security, they don't seem to be listed.
Thanks
Posted by: cobblehillbilly at July 30, 2007 1:51 PM
Supreme Security: 212-517-1948
Posted by: Miguel at August 3, 2007 3:20 PM
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