DIY home security has staked its claim in the broader home security market. A certain segment of the buying public prefers the DIY model for both installation and monitoring. Another segment is all-in on professional services for both. A third segment is sort of in the middle. They are fine with DIY installation, but they wonder whether professional monitoring would be better.
Needless to say, there are plenty of reasons for choosing professional home security monitoring over the DIY alternative. But here is the #1 reason: a homeowner’s ability to respond to genuine emergencies is limited. As painful as that might be to admit, it is the truth.
You Get an Alert but You Are 1,000 Miles Away…
Homeowner limitations are easily observed by way of a simple example. Imagine you and your family are enjoying the vacation of a lifetime. You are 1,000 miles away from home when you get an alert on your phone. It would appear as though someone is attempting to break in. What do you do?
You can certainly watch video feeds as the crime unfolds. You might even be able to speak to the intruder if your cameras include onboard audio capabilities. But how are you going to contact the local authorities? Dialing 911 from outside your local area isn’t going to help you. So now you need to stop, go online to find the direct phone number to your local police department, and then make the call.
You also need to explain to the dispatcher that you are 1,000 miles away and that you have observed someone trying to break into your home. You are under pressure thanks to the adrenaline rush, yet you need to relay all the information in a calm and straightforward manner. All the while, you need to hope that the dispatcher doesn’t assume you are a hoaxer.
Monitoring Center Personnel Are Trained Professionals
Monitoring center personnel have an advantage over you in that they are trained professionals. They know how to interpret home security alarms to determine the existence of a genuine emergency. Their systems are programmed with the phone numbers of the local police agencies in all the areas they serve, so they do not have to look up numbers. Your local police department is already tied to your account. With the click of a button, a monitoring team member can be in contact with the police.
Trained personnel can work calmly under pressure. They can make the right decisions because they are not reacting emotionally to the unfolding event. Throw all this together and you end up with a faster response time and more accurate information being given to the police.
As a bonus, remote monitoring personnel will remain in contact with you throughout the event. They will keep you apprised of what is going on. If there is a genuine emergency at home, they will make sure you aren’t left in the dark.
Around-the-Clock Coverage
There is a bonus reason to pay for professional home security monitoring: around-the-clock coverage. Take Vivint Home Security. Their monitoring service keeps an eye on your system 24 hours a day, every day of the week. They are watching even when you are sleeping soundly. How is that for an added sense of security?
DIY home security monitoring is possible. But homeowners choosing to go that route should understand that their ability to respond to a security incident will be limited. That means that the benefits of having a monitored home security system will also be limited. Personally, I think I prefer professional monitoring.
