Alernatives to ADT?

[5to1]

As the title suggests I'm looking for alternatives to ADT.

We've had ADT monitored alarm for a few years and I'm frankly sick of dealing with issues with it.

I should have realised I'd picked the wrong company from day one. The installers put the alarm in my water heater cupboard, but didnt allow enough clearance for the inside door handle. Instead of moving the alarm or telling me, they simply left the door open. Since the inside door handle isn't really needed I removed it.

On the first inspection the engineer asked why they'd put the alarm there, since it was too hot and was likely to cause problems. I called ADT to raise this issue and they informed me since it was installed by a third party I would have to pay to move it. Odd, since I'd called them directly and payed them directly. They said they would get back to me and never did.

Anyway as a result of the alarm being in that cupboard we've had several failed and leaking batteries. They had a senior engineer come to investigate and although he promised to check and confirm the temperature in the cupboard was within the operational temp of the alarm/battery, I never heard from him again. I should have realised that would be the last I'd hear from him, since he tried to suggest they could argue the cupboard wasn't hot when they installed the alarm. I replied why didn't they install it outside then, was cold and dry out there aswell .

Anyway we've had failed sensors, sensors which were set too sensitive, failed batteries. And now to compound matters in the space of a week we've had a failed keyfob sensor (engineer disabled since we dont use the keyfob) and another failed battery.

For the first callout we've just received a £120 bill. I expect we'll receive the same (+£35 for battery) for the second call out. Both callouts were marked down as the minimum.

I'm simply not prepared to tolerate those fee's for an inherently unreliable product. More importantly, the unreliability severely detracts from the alarms primary job.

[spiderman78]

A bit more information about the type of alarm you'd like will help folks give you advice.

Is your ADT a monitored system(ADT alarm callcentre) with police response?
Do you want the same level of service from a new supplier?

Do you want a wired or wireless solution?

Budget?

I have lived in a house with ADT system and experienced their third party installers
Personally i use a newer system on the market that gives you control and flexibility called AlertMe. Although not a policed response service its always developing and improving, new features are loaded over the internet.

[5to1]

Its currently a monitored alarm with police callout. Would want something with the same service.

Prefer wired as I'm dubious about the reliability of wireless alarms. Also the wiring is already their from the previous alarm.

Budget is probably ~£200 depending on what I'm getting. I would hope they could reuse many of the exisitng sensors. Haven't really had many problems with the sensors once they've been calibrated correctly.

[vex]

ADT were a rip off even when I priced ours up 7 years ago, a current client is having 'issues' with then at the moment as well.

We went with British Gas and although we had initial problems with the set up it is very stable as a wireless system.

Alternatively talk to a local alarm installer, you will not be alone in asking them to take a monitored system and there are only a small number of actual monitoring stations throughout the uk so you might still be dealing with same monitoring company. Group4 have been pestering me resently as well.

HTH

V.

[marcus263]

I had my place burgled a few months ago, they took a lot of stuff. After reading bad reviews about ADT and other security firms I decided to buy the Argos Yale security system for about 200 quid. It came with 2 door sensors, 2 PIR's 2 large sirens (one dummy). I've since added other sensors to the house. The best thing about this system is that it will call you and 2 other numbers if specified to alert you of a break in. This way I can deal with it faster by calling a neighbour or the police if need be. You can extend the system by adding attachments and things.

I also have timers that turn on house lights and TV at dusk, bought for 3 quid to give an impression of the home being occupied.

Next on the list is a wirless cam that I'm going to purchase that is connected to the web, so I can check via a laptop or my iphone if the alarm goes off and alert who I have to.

[Maxsys]

Check these websites for reliable installlers in your area, get a local company not a national. You will need a registered firm to carry out the work if you want to continue to get a police response. Some of the sugesstions in this thread relate to DIY, but DIY=NO Police Response

National Security Inspectorate | Security Systems | Home Security | Business Security

SSAIB

[5to1]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the advice.

I've been stuck out of the country because of the bad weather. And to make things worse, now have to sort out the mess left at work because we can't seem to handle a bit of snow.

I'll have to put this on the back burner for a couple of weeks because of that, but thanks again for the helpfull advice.

[D4RK1]

Thats the downside of having a large company in for yourself. Your not a large national account, and as a result are not a loss for when you do throw in the towel. Very poor service, and sorry to hear about it. I work for another national company, and our branch is very well run. It is very rair though that we do domestics. No doubt for the above reason.