Thank you for your advice gents, much appreciated.
Can you confirm what the service entails? In the past four years I have on an annual basis replaced the CR123A batteries in the six PIR units and the CR2 battery in the old front door contact. I've also been up the ladder and replaced the battery bell. On each occasion the tamper alarm has sounded so I've had to silence it with my user code which i can live with.
As you predicted, the companies I contacted have both indicated they will complete a call out to install the new door contact I have purchased but both want me to sign up to an annual maintenance contract. I understand that and why they want to guarantee repeat business for themselves. When asked what was included in the annual visit, both indicated a full test of the system and replacement batteries everywhere. When i advised I was able to do this myself, both indicated they would still replace them anyway as security for themselves that the system was working fine when they left.
Now to the hub of things. The quote to install the new door contact and check the rest of the system was £195 with the first company followed by an annual service visit fee of £150. The second company wanted £220 for the first visit plus £135 for the annual check. When asked, both companies stated they would retain the engineer code which I understand.
Now, I have also established that I can purchase a brand new panel to replace my existing unit complete with engineer code for £170. As I already have the bell, door contact and six PIR units and can replace the batteries in all of them, would this be a batter option for me? I have two further questions for the experts out there:
1. Having read the engineer installation manual for the Pyronix, it doesn't look easy but it does appear one can do it if you follow the instructions carefully. Could a householder DIY install one?
2. If the answer to 1 above is no, are the prices reasonable for the work being completed/proposed?
Thanks in advance.