Advice and recommendations please

[Guest Kiran]

Right, I should start by saying thanks to all you guys for the helpful stuff on this forum. I started thinking about our home security a few months ago after seeing a Yale wireless system in Homebase - don't panic, I didn't get it and following advice from people here, I had 3 companies round 2 weeks ago to quote for our house.

Basically, we have a 2 up, 2 down Victorian terrace house. The downstairs lounge/dining room was knocked through, but has a square arch going through.

The 3 companies that came round all differed and I'm not 100% on any of them so would appreciate some advice. I should add I'm posting from work and don't have exact model details with me.

Company A

Said we needed 3 sensors (one in lounge, one in kitchen to cover rear access and one on upstairs hallway). Was concerned because the chap who came round suggested the lounge PIR be fitted at about head height on prominent wall in the lounge so it could see through the entire room (because of the square arch half way down). He quoted for a Scantronic system, with a keypad, external box, decoy box round back and internal sounder. Came in at about £650.

This seemed ok but the chap who did the survey wasn't really prepared to listen to what suggestions I had. E.g I asked whether we could have 2 sensors in the downstairs lounge to avoid having one at heed height. He said we could but couldn't recommend it and didn't bother quoting for it on the install. Not very confidence inspiring. Also, he kept trying the hard sell on a top of the range Scnatronic box which was £150 more because it had loads of options and we might need them in the future. It's only a small house and we want a simple Bells Only system to be honest and the price differential seems a lot for a load of stuff we just won't use.

Company B

Said we needed 5 PIRs, 2 in lounge, one in kitchen, one in both upstairs and downstairs hallway front door contact, bell boxes, keypad etc No detail on what panel to be used even though I asked him to specify it when he sent a written quote.

Wanted £1500 +VAT - I nearly fell off my chair!

Company C

Very similar spec to Company B, with 5 PIRs. The stuff he used was //.National Installer.// badged but said it was called "Accord" I recollect. He recommended normal PIRs but said we could go dualtec for an extra £40 (£8 for each PIR). He wanted £495 all in or £535 all in for the dualtec.

Now, this company C seemed ideal. But only thing worrying me is that he uses an external companies to do his installation and I'm worried about having recourse if its goes wrong, backup and warranty stuff.

So, my gut feeling is to get another set of quotes. Any comments here?

Thanks

[morph]

Pricing and advice given so far seems very different, are you able to post a drawing or give a better description of the layout.

What part of the country are you in? assuming you got installers from the Yellow pages you might get a better quote from one of the guys on this forum, or even just some good advice.

Colin.

[Brian c]

I don't like the sound of company A at all.

Company B seems better, but the price seems to be way over the top, even without VAT.

Company C.........mmm.......now Company C seems to have the right idea. the price is a fair one and the protection offered is good. The Accord panels are decent panels for domestics made by a leading manufacturer (Ademco/Honeywell). the only thing that concerns me is you say the equipment is badged as //.National Installer.//. If this guy was not from //.National Installer.//, I don't see how or why he would be using their kit. //.National Installer.// do use external contractors to install their equipment, but if //.National Installer.// kit is being fitted, you should be paying //.National Installer.// for the install, not 'Company C'.

If company C is //.National Installer.// then it all sounds above board, but they do use external contractors. You may be lucky and get a good one!! You would also be covered/governed by //.National Installer.//'s guarantee, terms and conditions.

[Guest Kiran]

Pricing and advice given so far seems very different, are you able to post a drawing or give a better description of the layout.

What part of the country are you in? assuming you got installers from the Yellow pages you might get a better quote from one of the guys on this forum, or even just some good advice.

Colin.

35009[/snapback]

Yes, I picked 3 from Yellow Pages who were local'ish as I wanted someone to be nearby if it ever went wrong if you see what I mean.

I found this link to a property on a local agent website. It is almost identical to the layout in our house.

http://www.findaproperty.co.uk/cgi-bin/age...0&photo=5#photo

I hope that might hel you get an idea. I'm based in Ealing, West London so if any installers here cover that area and want to come round for a quote, email me on zen13668@zen.co.uk.

[Guest Kiran]

Company C.........mmm.......now Company C seems to have the right idea. the price is a fair one and the protection offered is good. The Accord panels are decent panels for domestics made by a leading manufacturer (Ademco/Honeywell). the only thing that concerns me is you say the equipment is badged as //.National Installer.//. If this guy was not from //.National Installer.//, I don't see how or why he would be using their kit. //.National Installer.// do use external contractors to install their equipment, but if //.National Installer.// kit is being fitted, you should be paying //.National Installer.// for the install, not 'Company C'.

35014[/snapback]

Company C is not //.National Installer.// - but their website says they are an //.National Installer.// approved distributor. Does that mean anything?

The guy said for a fact that someone else does the install as he said talked about the guys he currently uses as being the best he's ever used. Also, when i asked about annual checkup/maintenance after 12 months, he just said something about "loads" of companies offer schemes to maintain and monitor for about £80 a year.

As I said, price seemed competeitive enough, its just the set up and backup that worried me.

Thanks for all the helpful replies.

[Guest simmo]

Myself and Colin (Alarmgard) cover your area.

I've emailed details.

Simmo

[Service Engineer]

The stuff he used was ADT badged but said it was called "Accord" I recollect.

Company C is not ADT - but their website says they are an ADT approved distributor. Does that mean anything?

If its ADT badged then its ADT`s equipment, and he has no right selling it and no right installing it..? But his price I would say seems the most realistic if using Company B`s spec at company A`s price

As for A and B, they are laughable, A for not being prepared to listen to your requirements, and B for that stupid price he quoted.

I do suggest you give both Simmo and Alarmguard a chance to quote for you, they are two trusted members of this forum, neither will try to rip you off and both will listen to your requirements.

[Guest]

company c sounds like a dealer,but a dealer wont be installing //.National Installer.// gear without a //.National Installer.// maintenance contract!!!!sound like he is buying the stuff cheap from //.National Installer.//(at //.National Installer.// prices) and selling them at his own prices and trousering the cash...

id try companies d,e & f

[Guest]

Hang on i thought //.National Installer.// had ditched the dealership scheme after all the problems with dealers slapping in the system then passing all the problems onto //.National Installer.//?

35036[/snapback]

they did,tho a new scheme with supposed quality dealers does exsist..

[Guest Guest_matt_*]

obviously the cost is an issue, But also the person or company you feel most happy with. Ask yourself whilst in the prescence of all quoting. Would i let them work alone in my property. I believe word of mouth from a friend or relative is the best way, You know who you can trust. I would also stay away from the big companies and stick with a small possibly family run company, As you will get to know who you are dealing with. call me on 07974708830 if you would like to ask me any questions, I would be more than happy to help.