If you are old enough to remember first-gen home security, you might also remember that all the systems back in the 1970s and 80s were professionally installed. Back then, it was about the nuts and bolts. Consumers simply did not have the knowledge to rip open their walls, hook up sensitive security equipment, and button things back up again. But a lot has changed in 50 years.
Wireless network technology has changed the dynamic completely. Today, a complete security and home automation system can be installed without ever cutting into a wall. Homeowners do not need to know anything about electrical systems in drywall repair to equip their homes. Does that mean professional installation no longer has any value? Absolutely not.
Top 2 Things Pro Installation Offers
Off the top of my head, I can think of half-a-dozen benefits that come with professional installation. But there are two in particular that I think are most important to the modern homeowner. Here they are:
1. Device Placement
The most important benefit of professional installation is having devices placed properly. Vivint Home Security, the company behind the affordable, no-contract, and professionally installed HomeProtect package, explains that device placement is critical to maximizing a home security system’s protective capabilities.
The perfect example here is video surveillance. If a homeowner only had a single camera to work with, where should that camera be placed? It should be placed outside the home in a location that provides a clear view of the front door. Why? Because the front door is still one of the most common entry points for burglars and home invaders.
If a homeowner installs that single camera to provide a view of the rear patio door, it is certainly better than having no camera at all. But your typical burglar will try the front door before risking a walk around the back of the house to get to the patio.
Another good example is security lighting. Let us say a homeowner wants to automate lighting to give the impression that someone is home when that’s not the case. Most likely, automation will be limited to a certain number of lights rather than every light in the house. So it’s important to simulate movement throughout the house. That means an automated light in the living room, one in the kitchen, and perhaps one in the master bedroom.
2. Wireless Network Knowledge
Perhaps a homeowner wouldn’t struggle to set up one or two devices on a home network. But the more complex a home security and automation system is, the more complex the wireless network becomes. Fortunately, professional installation is carried out by technicians with exceptional home network knowledge.
Techs know what to do when devices do not communicate correctly. They know how to configure networks to maximize speed. Most importantly, they know how to keep networks secure so that a home security system isn’t tampered with. Home network security isn’t something most homeowners are familiar with.
Free Installation Is the Best Kind
I get the fact that some people go the DIY route because they don’t want to pay for professional installation. This would suggest that free installation is the best kind. That’s what Vivint customers get – even with HomeProtect. But not all home security providers offer free installation. So it is a cost one must consider.
DIY home security is a legitimate option. But professionally installed security is another. Professional installation has its benefits, including proper device placement and network configuration. If I knew nothing about either, I wouldn’t think twice about opting for a professionally installed system.