Raleigh

Home Security: Do It Yourself or Professional Installation?

You may have seen ads for Home Security Systems that you can install yourself. Perhaps you started thinking about the list of home DIY projects on your refrigerator door and wondered if you should add “home security” to it.  

A home security system is important for your—and your family’s—peace of mind.  A little research is appropriate to evaluate if you should go the DIY route or engage professionals for your Home Security System.

First, think about:

  • If you do it yourself, will you worry if it’s installed correctly?
  • Will the project take time away from other projects you enjoy or that could add to your home’s value? Like woodworking, gardening or painting?
  • Can I get components that fit my needs, or am I confined to limited options?

And then there are other questions to consider:

Will a DIY system save me money?

That’s usually the main reason people consider DIY systems. But remember, you get what you pay for – a box of basic security equipment and manuals. You pay the retail price for the equipment and then add the investment of your time, which can vary depending on how familiar you are with installing electronics.

While doing a home project, have you ever gotten halfway through and wondered if you were doing it right? Or do you find it takes three times as long because the directions aren’t clear?

Do I want to customize my protection to fit my needs?

Are you interested in fire detection, a smart thermostat, or a doorbell camera? Check that out in advance, to make sure the DIY security company integrates these devices, otherwise you may have to purchase them separately and download multiple apps.

Secur-Tek doesn’t just bring a standard box of equipment and go to work.  We realize that not every property, family, or neighborhood is the same. Before you have our trained professionals install your security system, we talk with you to understand your security objectives and assess your home environment. We understand camera angles, lighting, pets, and other variables that should be taken into consideration when choosing the type and placement of security and surveillance equipment. We will help you customize a complete inside and outside solution that fits your needs.

What about support if the system doesn’t work?

With a DIY system, you may get help from a call to tech support. With Secur-Tek, our trained and qualified technicians will ensure the effectiveness of your security system. They’ll explain the installation process and confirm the optimal placement and operation of every device, so you can trust your security system. Our expert technicians walk you through your new security and/or smart home system step by step at the time of installation. They’ll answer every question you have and help set up smart rules and automation when appropriate, leaving you confident and ready to protect your home and family. The same local technicians are available should you ever need service.

Will my system be safe from hackers?

For security systems, including cameras, Secur-Tek installs products that are more secure from hacking and having the wireless portions compromised using jamming devices than most DIY systems.  The equipment and labor may cost more – but are less likely to be compromised.

 

Think about your family’s safety and the security of your property before making your DIY vs Professional Installation decision. You can also check out the benefits of a monitored security system. Then call us at 919-387-1800 or use the form below to schedule a complimentary security assessment.

 

Secur-Tek, Inc. is a locally owned and operated company, based in Apex. We are passionate about protecting you, your family, and your property. We take pride in knowing every system is installed correctly and customized for your home.

We answer our own phones and will speak with you directly. We take the time to understand and answer any questions you may have. Our technicians are company employees — not contractors.

Our service area includes Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Garner, Holly Springs, Durham, Raleigh, Morrisville, and Pittsboro in North Carolina, so if you are interested in any of our services, give us a call or fill out the form below.

 

 

Holidays and Home Safety

Will you be away from home on the holidays?

If you’re planning to travel this holiday season, your empty home could be a target for burglars. While break-ins can happen in any neighborhood, the good news is that you can protect your family and belongings from the possibility of a home invasion.

Thieves like easy targets – they are likely to look for:

  • Mail or newspapers piling up. Remember to stop your mail at the post office or arrange for a neighbor to pick it up.
  • Overgrown or shrubs that obscure the home from the street. Check around your home to see if there are good sight lines to windows and doors. If not, prune them or hire a service that can do this.
  • Weak doors or windows. It’s essential to keep entry points into your home (doors and windows) locked. Also check it to see if these openings are structurally vulnerable to break-ins, as weak doors and windows are easy targets for forced entry. Strong, sturdy doors with deadbolt locks and reinforced metal frames are optimal.
  • No indoor or outdoor lights. Darkness around your home can provide cover for a burglar. Avoid this by strategically placing automatic outdoor or motion sensor lights around your home and property. Light bulbs set on a timer inside also help give the illusion that the home is occupied.

Thieves tend to avoid:

  • Homes with security systems – especially with cameras. An alarm system can be an essential step in protecting your home and valuables. In fact, the FBI says 83% of would-be burglars check for the presence of an alarm system before attempting a break-in.
  • And with remote monitoring, you have the convenience of checking on your home from anywhere.

If you’re interested in a security system that fits your needs, give us a call at (919) 387-1800.  We’d be happy to answer all your questions and provide you with a complimentary quote.

Secur-Tek offers customers the best in home security –  a personal touch, industry knowledge, and connections built on 35+ yrs in the industry. On top of that, we hand-select reliable name-brand suppliers to accommodate changes in the technological landscape.

Our service area includes Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Garner, Holly Springs, Durham, Raleigh, Morrisville, and Pittsboro in North Carolina.

 

 

 

Are You Wasting Money on an Alarm System?

wasting money on alarm system

Safety statistics show that having an alarm system can be an effective tool for protecting your family and property from home invasions.

According to the National Council for Home Safety:

When Do They Happen? Burglaries most often occur during the day between 6 am and 6 pm while people are at work or running errands. The seasonality is quite simple as well, with snow and cold being principal deterrents, the lowest number of burglaries happen in February while burglary rates are higher in the summer.

How? Intruders are most attracted to houses that do not have home alarm systems.

  • The national average indicates that homes without a security system are 300% more likely to be burglarized.
  • 85% of convicted burglars said that they specifically look to see if there’s an alarm and that they would leave and target another property where no security system is installed.
  • The F.B.I also reports that 90% of all intrusions occur through doors; 6% occur through windows; 3% occur through the roof and 1% occur through the walls.

Who? Over 85% of thieves are amateurs with 41% saying break-ins are an impulsive decision.

The bottom line is that utilizing a security system on your property will offer an increased level of protection and peace of mind.

HOWEVER – you might be wasting your money on that home alarm system if:

1) You don’t set the alarm. This is understandable — but it can be impacted by the ease and convenience of doing this simple act. Therefore, thinking through your daily routines and researching which system is most compatible with your personality and lifestyle is an important part of choosing the best system for you and your family.

2) You don’t thoroughly understand and learn the proper usage or programming of the alarm system you have purchased. At Secur-Tek, our systems are easy to use, and we take the time to ensure you understand the system’s functionality.

3) You don’t have your installer use windows stickers and signs as a warning. We at Secur-Tek ensure that warning stickers and signs are placed in the optimal locations for good visibility and thus function as a key deterrent.

4) You don’t test the system on a regular basis. At Secur-Tek we only install high-quality security systems and recommend testing every month. It only takes a few minutes to ensure everything is functioning properly. You can find the steps here.

5) Your system isn’t monitored. You may have purchased a home with the alarm system already installed or installed one yourself. Although the noise of an alarm may scare off those who enter your home, it’s vital that you have a company monitor your alarm so that the police can investigate for forced entry. Monitoring is also critical in case of a fire or carbon monoxide leak, especially when your family is sleeping or away.

6) You leave the house with the windows/doors open or unlocked. Windows and back doors are a favorite, especially those left open in the warmer months and obscured by bushes or buildings. Many alarm systems do not go off if someone enters through an open window. If you don’t have a motion detector installed or alarm sensors on the windows, be sure to at least close and lock your windows when you are not home.

When used properly, alarm systems can be a very effective tool in deterring crime and protecting your family and home. We at Secur-Tek, Inc. partner with you to ensure you get the right system for your situation.

Please give us a call at 919.387.1800 or contact us by using the form below for a complimentary in-home consultation.

Secur-Tek, Inc. is locally owned and operated in Apex, NC, offering home and business security and monitoring. Secur-Tek also provides automation, audio, and central vacuum systems to customers in the Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Garner, Holly Springs, Durham, Raleigh, Morrisville, and Pittsboro areas.