New Jersey Home Security Review

Make sure you ask if the security installation company you contract with will actually own your contract itself for the full length of the contract…or sell your contract.

Authorized dealers generally sign you to a contract and install your security system…then sell your contract to the parent company which then owns your contract.

This doesn’t mean your monitoring service will be affected, but it certainly can give a local dealer less incentive to provide you with quality customer service once the system is installed.

Also ask if you will be leasing or owning the equipment.

If the equipment is leased, then any upgrades to the equipment during the life of your contract are covered for free even without a maintenance contract. However, should you decide to change providers after the contract ends, you will need to pay the new provider to replace and install new security equipment as the old company will remove the leased equipment.

On the other hand, if you own the equipment, you can change providers and continue to use your existing equipment. However, any upgrades would have to be bought by you. Warranties are available, however.

Obviously there are pros and cons to both approaches, but this additional information can also help you make the best decision for your situation.

Don’t feel pressured into signing on the spot because of some “great deal” that “won’t last long”, but if you feel comfortable with your sales consultant, you can move ahead and sign the contract.  In most states you have 3 days to review and cancel the contract.  The downside to not signing at that point is that you may be wasting your time shopping.

What that contract says is what you’ll be legally obligated to. These are long term contracts and can obligate you to hefty cancellation fees, automatic renewal clauses, additional service charges…no matter what the sales rep tells you. Carefully read the contract, and if you have any questions, get a clarification.