Hello And Can I Have Your Thoughts Please.

[Dannyk]

Hi everyone.

 

I'll introduce my self I'm Daniel and I run a Electrical installation company as a two man band. Plus a subcontractor who helps me out when im too busy. I am NIC EIC APPROVED CONTRACTOR and been in business since 2010.

I have fitted different security alarms over the years. But I'm not confident enough navigating through them if I have been to my own panel for a long time. Wish I stuck to one panel every time so it would be easier for me to master it. I put in two panels a year because I don't advertise it. I think the panels I use are a bit too basic and lack features. (Micky Mouse comes to mind)

I've fitted the following so in order as the years have gone by.

 

3X HONEYWELL G4 ACCENTRA

2X TEXECOM VARITAS

SCANTRONIC I-ON40 ( pretty good apart from last time I visited it I struggled to add a remote).

INFINITE PRIME - WIRELESS (ABSOLUTE ****)

 

I had no idea in the beginning that I should be offering a service visit for them after installing them a year after.  I only cottoned on a year ago. So I now service on a yearly basis and on call for the following- one texicom unit, the scantronic and the Infinite Prime . I wouldn't say I'm a master at any of the units and end up ringing technical when I can not do something.

 

My question is this what panel should I buy for practice use at home, go on product training courses and install for jobs as my preferred panel of use?

 I notice specialist alarm companies in Nottingham, seem to install in domestic houses a RISCO/EUROSEC/GUARDTEC panel.In commercial it's a Honeywell galaxy 2. Why?

 

Should I also be fitting these then? At least if I have in front of me that wasn't mine I would know what to do if I got called out to one.

Why not TEXECOM, Honeywell domestic models and Scantronic?

 

I have real interest in wanting to master security alarms and Addressable fire alarms and build up my business in it. This is because I may switch sides in the future from Electrical nic eic approved contractor company to fire and security NSI GOLD company.

Look forward to your comments

[9651]

Best basic domestic wired panel that's cheap and half decent imo, scantronic 9651.

That would do any domestic with up to 8 zones. Easy to set up, and more professional than an accenta G4.

[sixwheeledbeast]

There isn't an easy answer to "which panel". It's personal choice, most companies specialize in a couple that cover all budgets.

Most of the panels you have listed are in the lower end of the market.

If you are looking at sticking to a manufacturer use one with a range of panels IMO, Texecom Premier or Galaxy are popular and offer different size systems with not much difference, if any, in menu structure.

As for moving from electrical to security, I wouldn't bother there's nothing special your missing out on.

[Dannyk]

. "As for moving from electrical to security, I wouldn't bother there's nothing special your missing out on."

 

Apart from easier work to install, less competition and nearly all VAT registered, service contracts!!! Security companies are of a higher company level. ISO9001.

I knew one of you would say that! LOL

You have no idea what it is like running a Electrical company. The regs are changing all the time and every time i have to change all my books and go back to college. When comes to jobs its so bespoke. I think you guys have it alot easier and change more money. Training people takes too long. I could go on and on. It a difficult maket at times. If you want to run a proper business it costs money, time and man power. Plus VAT REGISTERED. So a lot of the time you can not compete against 1 man bands.

All alarm and fire alarm companies are always doing well. The standards are higher with fire and alarm companies. You don't deal with micky mouse 1man working out of his car. He wouldn't be able to cope with the random call outs.

[Dannyk]

There isn't an easy answer to "which panel". It's personal choice, most companies specialize in a couple that cover all budgets.

Most of the panels you have listed are in the lower end of the market.

If you are looking at sticking to a manufacturer use one with a range of panels IMO, Texecom Premier or Galaxy are popular and offer different size systems with not much difference, if any, in menu structure.

As for moving from electrical to security, I wouldn't bother there's nothing special your missing out on.

 

But why doesn't any professional alarm company use texecom? I've been taking note for 4 years, not one.

 

Now is it because the engineers code is Perminent and can not be changed? Because you can with texecom and scantronic.

[datadiffusion]

. "As for moving from electrical to security, I wouldn't bother there's nothing special your missing out on."

 

Apart from easier work to install, less competition and nearly all VAT registered, service contracts!!! Security companies are of a higher company level. ISO9001.

I knew one of you would say that! LOL

You have no idea what it is like running a Electrical company. The regs are changing all the time and every time i have to change all my books and go back to college. When comes to jobs its so bespoke. I think you guys have it alot easier and change more money. Training people takes too long. I could go on and on. It a difficult maket at times. If you want to run a proper business it costs money, time and man power. Plus VAT REGISTERED. So a lot of the time you can not compete against 1 man bands.

All alarm and fire alarm companies are always doing well. The standards are higher with fire and alarm companies. You don't deal with micky mouse 1man working out of his car. He wouldn't be able to cope with the random call outs.

Flol. I too am 'doing it properly' and up against bedroom weekend Enforcer fitters doing systems for less than I can buy the bits. Depends on your area but please, please do not assume alarms are easy big money.

[Dannyk]

I welcome the debate with you. Every part of you job is easier and cheaper.  But i'm referring to say police or call centre responce systems. Plus have a company in place 24/7 for problems. Not a tight **** who just wants cheapest alarm he can. As i get older i don't think i could be a electrician in my 50's. Alot of electricians do move over to your side and don't come back. They all told me it has it's ups and downs, but it's a lot easier life.

[al-yeti]

I welcome the debate with you. Every part of you job is easier and cheaper. But i'm referring to say police or call centre responce systems. Plus have a company in place 24/7 for problems. Not a tight **** who just wants cheapest alarm he can. As i get older i don't think i could be a electrician in my 50's. Alot of electricians do move over to your side and don't come back. They all told me it has it's ups and downs, but it's a lot easier life.

How is alarm fitting easier than electrical? You just mean the Labour side yes?

[Dannyk]

I'm building up my fire alarm customers up over the past 2 years and has gone really well. I installed some and kept the service contracts ever since for 4 visits a year. One of them i test weekly. Where in the electrical Game do you get that? I have worked booked for the year in advance!!

 

I run a professional outfit and it's wasted on electrical work at times. For example what is the maximum i can charge for putting up a light really. To be a Approved NIC EIC contractor you dont have to be a professional operating business. But you want to be NSI WITH BAFE you need to be of a different level of business, which is where i want to be.

[Dannyk]

How is alarm fitting easier than electrical? You just mean the Labour side yes?

Yes. putting it in, keeping stock and not as dirty. When it come to using your head, they can be mentally taxing as each other.