WHAT'S INVOLVED IN INSTALLING AN ALARM SYSTEM

If you decide to have an electronic security system installed, depending on your premises and the complexity of your system, you might be able to have it installed in a few hours, or it could take a few days. The installers will (hopefully) try to run all the wires in unfinished basements & attics, closets, crawl spaces, inside walls, and other unexposed places. Ideally, the completed installation will leave little or no unsightly wiring or devices visible. Some installations are more difficult than others - don't be surprised if your installer wants to runs some of the wires along your shoe moldings (preferably in a matching color), or under your window sills. Especially in an apartment, or a home with a finished attic or basement, your installer may need to leave some wiring exposed. Obviously in a store with a drop-ceiling, exposed wires will be kept to a minimum.

If you're especially concerned over aesthetics, discuss the proposed wire-runs with your installers before they begin the work. Don't expect your salesperson to be especially knowledgeable - salespeople typically will promise you anything to get you to sign the contract - after that, it's up to the installer to try to fulfill those promises. Even though you've probably laid out the system with your salesperson, don't hesitate to discuss the details with the technicians when they arrive to actually install it.

Another option to consider, especially if you have a more-difficult-to-wire premises, is a wireless system. Modern wireless systems consist of supervised battery-operated radio transmitters mounted in or near each motion detector, smoke detector, contact (or group of contacts), etc. The equipment cost for these systems may be bit higher, but this should be countered by a reduced labour cost. Wireless technology has come a long way in recent years, and wireless systems can be nearly as reliable and trouble-free as hardwired systems. The only big downside to a wireless system is that you'll need to replace the batteries in each of the transmitters about every 5 years. Many new systems are capable of incorporating a bit of both technologies, so that parts of your system could be hardwired, and the more-difficult locations could be wireless. Ask your alarm company if this would be an option for you.