We regularly survey BuyerZone users to ask how their purchases went. We've used their responses to provide a sampling of actual prices residents paid for their home security systems.
Home security systems carry monthly monitoring fees which are usually locked in for three to five year contracts. Equipment warranties can add a few dollars per month.
Your monthly fee will typically include basic equipment – door contacts, motion detectors, glass break sensors – for free. Keep in mind that even with free equipment a vendor may charge you for system installation. Advanced security features such as two-way monitoring, key fobs, pet sensors, and fire alarms will usually cost extra.
Systems are available in hard-wired and wireless home security systems. Existing wiring makes it easy to install a new alarm. Otherwise, wireless systems prevent you from having to drill holes, lift carpets, or run wires throughout your house.
Home security services with free equipment
"First and last month fees paid ahead. $29.95/mo all security features were free ($295 value). Code box, 3 door sensors, 1 motion detector, yard and window signs. Self install wireless system (but they called and walked me through it anyways). Paid $99 for an extra glass break detector. Very professional, very courteous and nice. Best customer service."
-- Aliso Viejo, California
"$59.95 for first and last months' payments. The home security system was "free." Included in the system are three perimeter sensors, one motion sensor, a control panel, and as a bonus for signing up with Protect America, a wireless control panel. The contract is for 36 months at $29.95 a month."
-- Toppenish, Washington
"$108 Installation;$31.99/mo for 3 years. Included alarm keypad, 2 key fobs, 3 door entry and 6 window sensors, sign in yard and screwed to back fence, and a bunch of window decals."
-- Phoenix, Arizona
"The system was a basic system – wireless and was offered free for a 36 month monitoring contract at $33.87/month including taxes and service on parts."
-- Colchester, Connecticut
"The cost was $0. However, they required 1st and last month payments from a required 3 year contract with them. The cost per month is $29.95. They gave me a couple of key chains for free. I purchased an extra door alarm at a reduced rate of $60."
"Only cost was the initial ADT activation charge of $99 - Arizona Detection Team actually reimbursed me that money - so really, no cost. Alarm system with 4 doors covered. 10 windows covered (wireless) and 1 motion sensor."
-- Surprise, Arizona
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"Free, 8 door window sensors, 2 talking keypads, motion sensor, smoke alarm, 1 siren, 1 72-hour backup system, 1 transformer lawn sign, window stickers, and phone jack. $28/month for three years."
-- Youngstown, Ohio
"$26.05 per month for the full monitoring service. If I wish to add the equipment warranty it will be an extra $6 per month."
"We will pay $32 per month for monitoring, which includes intruder and fire monitoring. We received installation and equipment for all our doors and a motion detector for free. We will pay about $530 for the equipment and installation of three heat detectors and three window intrusion detectors."
-- Shawnee Mission, Kansas
"$769 - Hard wired system with some wireless coding. Four motion sensors, two key pads, two key fobs, inside and outside sirens, battery back up and wireless back up if phone goes out."
"We are paying $1,800 for our system, but we're also securing our garage. The equipment is made by Honeywell. The service contracts were pretty much all the same: 3-year monitoring and the equipment is yours to keep after that. The Sales person at all the companies were very informative, we were just more comfortable with Nighthawk and the way he wanted to place the different equipment."
-- St. Paul, Minnesota
"The system offered was "free", but did not offer what we needed. So the owner offered to upgrade for a price per opening instead. We paid a total of $378 for this system, which covers 22 openings, the keypad, and two remotes. We also signed up with a service contract with ADT."
-- Tonopah, Arizona
"$1,409. Keypad with monitoring, control panel & wireless receiver (2), battery backup & transformer, door contacts, interior siren, yard sign & window decals, lifetime equipment warranty, no false alarm guarantee, 24 hr. service policy, anti-phone tamper, window contacts, additional door, smoke detector, key fob remotes, outdoor motion detector (2), roll-up garage door contact, additional door contact, Vista 20 upgrade for partitioned system."
-- Trinity, North Carolina
"$300: base package (three door sensors, motion sensor, keypad, siren) plus two window sensors and a smoke detector relay (tie into existing hard-wired smoke detectors). Also, $24.95/month for monitoring and extended service."
-- Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
"$1,000 for wireless system, additional keypad, key fob, and window contacts in three rooms. Vendor allowed equipment to be paid over 3 month period. $89.85/quarterly includes warranty on equipment."
-- Boston, Massachusetts
"We paid $783 for 1 voice keypad and 1 regular keypad, 2 motion detectors, 5 door contacts, 2 smoke detectors, a control panel and an interior siren."
