Home security systems

I'm looking at a foreclosure house which will need a fair amount of work. I'm thinking as long as I'm in there busting azz I might as well run some wiring and switches for a security system. One of you clowns (can't remember who) sells that stuff for a living; I'm looking for the hard wired 'hidden' type of switches, I want to run normally closed circuits and of course I'll need a central control panel and keyboards.

Bad neighborhood or just playing it safe?

The 'hood is okay, just playing it safe.

I lived in a townhouse in a pretty nice n'hood several years ago, some 'smash and grab' types kicked in my front door and stole a couple of VCR's and a TV set. They did this in the middle of the day. The cops that did the investigation told me that was pretty standard, they hit houses in nice 'hoods during the day because the residents are generally at work, not as much chance of getting caught as there is at night. They break into cars at 4AM for the same reason.

CHW is your man, and IIRC, his #1 recommendation is motion activated lighting.

In reply to Curmudgeon:

Yes. Average time for burglaries is 4 pm according to the FBI if I recall my statistics properly. Are you worried about smash and grabs or smash and cut out everything valuable?

If you're rehabbing I would be worried about the Cooper pipes and hvac which is commonly stolen during night under the cover if darkness. Find easy access to the basement and smash it. Looking for houses, we have come across plenty. I would board up any entrance you are not using or use large temporary locking mechanisms like boards across the doors when possible.

Just get a dog that barks nonstop.

At 3 am. Next to Poop.

Otto Maddox wrote: Just get a dog that barks nonstop.

+This, as well as never having anything nice and always being home.

Security is my business. PM me with your contact info, I'll call you. Chuck

Among other companies, GE Sentrol makes high quality intrusion switches: http://www.alarmsystemsdist.com/sentrol-c2610.html I would suggest talking to whoever you're going to use for a security company before you get too far into buying and installing switches or other sensors.

A good system will have a combination of things - door switches, glass breakage sensors, motion sensors, lights, alarms and so on. It's a good idea to tie the smoke detectors into the system, and you can include other things like CO detectors, low temp alarms or flooding switches.

cwh, PM sent. I thought it was you!

The house has not been hit for copper pipes etc and the outside A/C unit is still there. That kind of theft is not real common around the area.

I plan to move in and live in it while I fix it up (always assuming the deal goes through, of course), the security system is more of a 'while I'm in there' kind of thing (same as with working on cars, right? ) but it could be a good selling point when it comes time to put it on the market.

WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT BUY A SYSTEM FROM ADT!!!!! Service is non-existent, installations are generally sloppy, and it is impossible to cancel the iron clad contract. 20 years ago, they were great, but when Tyco took over, they turned it into a money machine run by accountants and lawyers. Good for their bottom line, not so good for customers.

In reply to cwh:

Sounds like you used to work for them.

We've talked about this before, but I may be ready to bite the bullet and go with a self-contained system, not an ADT-ish monitored system. Can anybody recommend a decent off-the-shelf wireless system that's nicely expandable? Ideally I'd like to get my detached garage (that's about 50' from the house) on the system, in addition to all the various in-house sensors, but I may not be able to do it all in one chunk.

I've seen plenty of them at LowesDepot - are they any good?

I did a lot of subcontract installs for them before the change. Only problem I ever had was slow pay on large contracts. Had to threaten to put a lien on a house once. Courier delivered my check the next day. Back then, excellent expensive equipment, very good management, installers and service tech well trained and managed. Those days are sadly gone.

Cur- I think there is a problem with the records in the PM section. Second time I have not received a PM. Use cwhanlon@comcast.net. I know that works.

cwh wrote: Back then, excellent expensive equipment, very good management, installers and service tech well trained and managed. Those days are sadly gone.

True across the board in the area of security being mechanical or physical. Big business is letting its employees and customers down.

A decent wireless alarm system is not that expensive and can be found on line. Ademco, DSC, Napco are all good. You would have no problem getting signal from a garage area 50' away. Most of them are good for 500' or so. I don't do much with house alarm stuff anymore, but do wireless on occasion. The stuff I use will go 1250', unlimited with repeaters. Pricey. I would only suggest a hard wired system for a skilled DIYer. Hiding the wires can be a challenge, and is almost impossible at times. The wireless is far faster to install, and no chance of drilling into wiring or water lines. I have done both. A real thrill to watch water running down your drill bit while the drill is running. Quality and performance are good now, too. The little beige boxes disappear from your sight in a few days. FWIW, I have a wireless system on my house.

i have a system from Vivint (used to be APX), with a 3 year contract and they installed the whole thing for me. the system is completely wireless, no need for running wires. the system has a nice touch screen panel which lets me control the programmable thermostat from it or online. every time i've called they have been very helpful and accomodating, install/service guys have always been on time and friendly as well.

My next wireless security system:

pinchvalve wrote: My next wireless security system:

Easily defeated.

Somebody needs to post a picture of a big gun, and then this thread will be complete...in every single discussion about home security on every single web board on the internet, there has to be a picture of a pit bull and a Glock. It's the rules.

Pit bull: Glock:

And to complete the trifecta, karate:

Most modern security systems are wireless...

I just found that there are recessed wireless switches. That's what I am really after, a very unobtrusive system with no boxes on doors etc.