arfur mo Posted March 9, 2007 Posted March 9, 2007 I've always wondered how this works, see without actually seeing the workmanship, processes etc how can members recommend someone? I personally would never offer a recommendation based on 'knowing' someone. hi Norman, the suggestion was a recommendation from the o/p's personal contacts (not ours ) regs alan If you think education is difficult, try being stupid!!!!
Guest anguscanplay Posted March 9, 2007 Posted March 9, 2007 i could do it second week in april joking apart we would always advise to get a minimum of three quotes preferably from one of the companies on the register of the nsi ot the ssaib but remember some of the best installers belong to neither scheme dont be tempted to get prices over the phone just because the house is already wired up get the surveyor or owner or even better the engineer to call to give you the qoute make them a cup of tea and ask them any questions ( not just the inst but who covers the callouts / exactly what would be chargable in the future etc )then choose the firm/person you feel most happy with they will be working in your house and it should be the start of a long term business relationship if you are totally new to the district and really dont know anyone have a look around - is there one firm seam to do all the jobs in that area - is there a local firm in the village/town often the best firms dont advertise anywhere including nsi gold companies! have a look at the local village hall ,school or church who does there security its all indicators finally ring a local security guard firm and ask who they have least problems with ultimatly its down to feeling and price
punce Posted March 9, 2007 Author Posted March 9, 2007 Thanks for the advice! Where in Anglesey are you? Near Amlwch
punce Posted March 10, 2007 Author Posted March 10, 2007 Any final recommendations of things to ask the installers when they pop around to give me a quote? Like what bits are they using etc? Will call a few up very soon. Thanks for all the contacts
Guest anguscanplay Posted March 10, 2007 Posted March 10, 2007 Any final recommendations of things to ask the installers when they pop around to give me a quote? Like what bits are they using etc?Will call a few up very soon. Thanks for all the contacts ask about the annual service charge - how much / what exactly is covered or not / is it part of the price you have to renew it for x number of years / who does callouts - is it themselevs or is it contracted out can you pay more to cover the equipment if it fails after the guarentee will it be done in one day or could the installer be called away to another job how many staff and relative experiance get details of any certification how big are they in terms of installs / contracts per engineer to cover go with your gut feeling it generaly works best
Service Engineer Posted March 10, 2007 Posted March 10, 2007 A good idea is to get several other quotes from reputable installers before making your choice, but remember that the cheapest installer is not necessarily the best. Your local business telephone directory is often a good source for finding suitable companies, but perhaps the best source is a recommendation by a friend or family member, also have a look around your neighbourhood to see which other companies bell boxes are fitted. Make sure the installer is covered for any damage he may do to your home, nothing usually goes wrong but plastic pipes for instance are almost impossible to detect in walls. Do not be afraid to make suggestions or even specify key features for your own alarm system, but do listen to advice from the salesman. Explain to him how you intend to use the alarm system, do you want to set it at night..? do you want to set it while your at home in the day..? could you just set any number of individual zones you want, ask for pet sensors if you have a cat or dog. Always get your quotes from similar companies or you might find a rather large range of prices, for basically the same equipment. Ask to see brochures which show the equipment they will be installing and be happy that it will go well with your decor and is really fit for the purpose they are specifying. Insist that the main control panel is well hidden, or out of easy reach. Preferably behind a locked door, in the loft or perhaps the garage. Access to this main control panel must be protected by a detector. This is the heart of your alarm system, if a burglar finds this he could shut up your bells and internal sirens in less than 30 seconds without damaging the alarm system at all. Ask how the wiring will be routed to each given detector and enquire about how long the system will take to be installed. Its awkward to guarantee installation times but as a rough guide allow 1 day for up to 5 detectors, any more detectors expect 2 days or more (It once took me 2 1/2 days to install a 5 detector alarm system that my boss had allowed a day for). Don't be taken in by freebies, nothing is free. Ask if the installation engineer will clean up any mess he's made, and is able to satisfactory refit any carpets or other flooring he may have lifted during the installation. Ensure the Alarm is covered by a no quibbles guarantee. You don't pay for any parts or labour charges for the first 12 months if the alarm system should go faulty (this doesn't include cables being accidentally cut or burglars smashing up the alarm system etc etc). All good companies will fully cover you for the first year including any night time and weekend callout charges. After the first year they should offer at least a service contract. http://www.thesecurityinstaller.co.uk/Content/choosing.asp ........................................................ Dave Partridge (Romec Service Engineer)
stewymac Posted March 10, 2007 Posted March 10, 2007 but do listen to advice from the salesman. very carefully!!! a salesman will tell you what you want to hear,get an engineer to quote you,only he will know how hard easy it will be and how long it will take...ok some salesmen have been engineers,but theres two reasons for that.. 1.they want more money(you make nothing being honest ) 2. they wernt much good as an engineer in the first place(thats what ive found) or 3.they dont like hard work etc...
Cubit Posted March 11, 2007 Posted March 11, 2007 very carefully!!!a salesman will tell you what you want to hear,get an engineer to quote you,only he will know how hard easy it will be and how long it will take...ok some salesmen have been engineers,but theres two reasons for that.. 1.they want more money(you make nothing being honest ) 2. they wernt much good as an engineer in the first place(thats what ive found) or 3.they dont like hard work etc... Strong words Stewymac and, if i may say, same old tired dogma. Please enlighten us on your experiences and wisdom of the above.
Guest anguscanplay Posted March 11, 2007 Posted March 11, 2007 very carefully!!!a salesman will tell you what you want to hear,get an engineer to quote you,only he will know how hard easy it will be and how long it will take...ok some salesmen have been engineers,but theres two reasons for that.. 1.they want more money(you make nothing being honest ) 2. they wernt much good as an engineer in the first place(thats what ive found) or 3.they dont like hard work etc... sorry about that it bears no relation to the advise you have been getting he probably once bought a kirby vacuum cleaner
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