Is DIY Home Security Right for You?
Before investing in a DIY home security system, you will want to determine your confidence level in setting one up. As time has gone on, these options have become more prevalent and increasingly easy to install on your own without the need for tools. If you’d prefer not to, you can check if the system you are purchasing offers professional installation and opt for that. If they don’t, you can use a third-party service like TaskRabbit to achieve the same result. By being your own technician, you will save around $150-200 in installation fees. In total, you save on technician fees, delivery is hassle-free right to your door, and you don’t have to worry about contracts when you opt for a DIY security system.
Frontpoint Security box received in mail shown
Quick look into more of the good & bad of DIY security systems:
Pros
- Pre-activated equipment is shipped to you
- Easy peel & stick sensors
- Accommodates any residence of any size and floor plan
- Battery powered with no hardwiring required
- Smart security that can be controlled and monitored from your smartphone
- Can add to and expand your security system easily in the months to come (without paying extra for a rep to install more equipment)
- It comes with flexible monitoring options, warranties, and technical support (most DIY security systems), all without contracts
Cons
- Requires you to be the technician (well… duh!)
- The control panel may require a little bit of drilling
- It can be limited to more basic features if you opt for no professional monitoring
Top 4 DIY Home Security Systems with Monitoring
Company |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 | 2007 | 1992 | 1952 |
| Sales Line | (650)446-7078 or schedule a time here | (855)861-8730 | (888)936-2878 | (855)534-7784 |
| Website | ||||
Equipment | ||||
| Standard Windows, Motion, Door & Glass Sensors | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Touchscreen Panel | no, keypad | yes | (+) | yes |
| Key Remote (On/Off) Fob | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| C02, Fire and Flood Sensors | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Automation | ||||
| Mobile & Tablet Control | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Cameras | indoor & outdoor, video doorbell | Indoor & Outdoor & Doorbell | Indoor, Pan Tilt | Indoor & outdoor |
| Z-Wave Technology | yes | yes | no | yes |
| Advanced Features | Home Automation, Third Party Device Integrations, Apple HomeKit compatibility | Light Control, Automated Door Locks, Temperature & Energy Control | GPS Security, Medical Panic | Door locks, Thermostats, Plugin light automation |
Prices | ||||
| Monthly | $7.99-$25.99 | $34.99 | $34.99 | $29.99 |
| Installation | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Activation | $0 | $99 | $0 | $99 |
Monitoring | ||||
| 24/7 | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Smoke, C02 & Flood | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Overall Ratings | ||||
| Customer Reviews | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Support | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Tips for Self-Setup Systems
Get a DIY system that offers professional monitoring
Just because you are setting it up by yourself doesn’t mean you have to monitor it too. Even if it is your preference and plan to self-monitor, it’s still a good idea to opt for a system that offers professional monitoring so you have that option down the road. You may discover that you prefer not to be the one responsible for responding to active alarms, or you may be going on an extended vacation where it would be easier to defer to a professional monitoring center for a month.
Start with the basics and add on later
A great benefit to DIY home security alarm systems is the ability to add to them down the road. Make sure to start off with the essentials like motion sensors, control panels/keypads, and door/window sensors. After setting up the initial system of essential items, you can then add on security cameras, environmental sensors, and more later. This will help to keep the upfront cost to a minimum.
Test Your System After You Set It Up
Most systems allow you to put them in test mode so that you can trigger your alarm without dispatching any emergency response. We recommend taking this step as soon as you have completed your installation to ensure it is working as expected to protect your home. Search your system’s online help documentation to find out how to put it into and out of test mode.
How To Install a DIY Alarm System
Woman shown sticking on a window sensor
As mentioned, setting up a DIY security system is very easy. Step-by-step guided instructions will be sent along with your system or included in the app. A quick breakdown of the process is as follows:
1. Plug in the hub or control panel (whichever acts as the heart of your system) and follow guided instructions to get it connected to the internet
2. Set up your pre-paired accessories like door sensors, motion sensors, and security cameras around your home in the places you deem most necessary following the provided instructions for each. Typically these will just be peel & stick adhesive but some may require a drill
3. If you can, name your devices after where they are placed so you can quickly locate the source of an alarm in an emergency (front door, entryway motion sensor, side yard camera, etc.)
4. Put your system into test mode by following your provider’s instructions and test your system thoroughly to ensure it performs exactly how you need it to. After testing, you may find you need to adjust sensitivity levels on a motion sensor or the detection zone on a security camera, for example.
Recap of the 4 best do it yourself security systems:
| Rank | Home Security System Summary | Contract Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abode | None |
| 2 | FrontPoint | 36 months |
| 3 | Protect America | 36 months |
| 4 | Link Interactive | 36 months |
Our final thoughts…
Home security companies love DIY systems because it allows them to ship out their equipment to any location nationwide. And it helps their companies grow and become known in other countries with their best-selling products. Customers love them because they save money, and it gives them a bigger sense of ownership. If you are going for a standard system then typically DIY is your best option. Investing in a home security system is the best way to keep your family safe, even at home. For larger homes or advanced home automation then going the DIY route is not for your. As long as as the equipment is setup correctly it is just as good as professionally installed alarm systems and one shouldn’t bother worrying which is better.
Brad Lunt says
I will DIY til the day that I die! Okay, a cheesy little slogan I came up with. But seriously, anyone paying for a technician to install their security system needs to chill and just try one of these! It’s the same equipment people!
Granted, I do realize that if you can afford a house for a security system, you can probably pay another $99 for installation. If your installation is anything more than $99 you might as well do it yourself and use the spare funds to pay for the first few months of monitoring.
I think the companies that offer this are smart so they can roll out nationwide and not have to worry about installation vans, techs breaking things at users homes etc. The tricky parts are when you get into camera systems and automation, then it’s tech-it-up time!
Dana Washnock says
Honestly I was scared at first about doing my own alarm system. But the flexibility of it was great. I also liked not having a technician in my home learning about where everything is. I’m sure I’m just extra paranoid but by doing it myself I kept out any creepo that might be working for a security company to identify goods in users homes.
5/5 for me. Thanks for the tips
Garret says
If it was still early 2000’s I would be hesitant about trying a DIY security system. Thankfully, technology has come a long way and I think technology will continue to get more user friendly. Several companies rely on consumers to be able to put their product together in order to use it. Luckily, these companies mention all make it easier than any kind of furniture project you may have tried in the past. Thanks for the great review on each one, they all seem like reliable options.
Carleene says
I like the DIY alarm systems because you can easily add to them throughout the years. With others, you have to call the company and pay for a tech to come out and install just a simple sensor (like a window or door). Getting a DIY security system allows you to expand it later on or even move with it easier. Thank goodness the companies have made the products more affordable so it is a viable option these days.
M. Jones says
As appealing as this sounds, I wouldn’t want to mess anything up.
I’m a bit of a joke in my household because of my near zero DIY skills, and I wouldn’t want to bet my family’s security on it.
denna says
DIY is not my thing so I would prefer spending an additional 100 bucks for its installation. No matter how easy it sounds like, I’m still afraid of installing it by myself because I might damage the system and it would require me to spend for additional expenses.