New Alarm: Install myself or go with a registered installer ?

Fecker2000

We need a new alarm system for the house we just bought. It's been re-wired and we got the electrician to put alarm cabling throughout (PIR for each room + front/back door sensors + power and cable for external sounder).

I work in computers and half fancied my chances of buying and installing an alarm myself, considering the electrician has done all the necessary wiring. The problem is my missus worries about security and wants a system installed quickly and properly. I've been pricing around and, even though all the wiring is done, we're looking at a minimum of €500+ to have a system supplied and fitted (less than 1 day's work). I've seen half decent systems for sale (retail) online for around €200 or less - so it's bugging me to have to pay so much.

I'm I wrong in my thinking and the self-install route is a bad idea ? I know that we will get some sort of guarantee + certificate for insurance by going with a registered installer.

Any advice ?

KoolKid

€500 incl vat is a very good price for a complete system fully installed .
Can you list what equipment would be required?
You will not get a decent system for an entire house for €200.
Can you link to what you are considering half decent?
Also can I ask what you consider a fair days wage for this job?

Thunderbird2

They are fairly easy to install yourself . Once your comfortable with a drill, electrics and climbing up a ladder to place the external bell. Do you know how to use a multimeter or are the cables labeled

KoolKid

You need a multimeter and an understanding of how to check the resistance to verify and test all the zones correctly.

Thunderbird2

If he wants to go the DIY route he can get all the help he needs off of boards . The HKC 10/70 system would be a very DIY friendly system . Mine was easy to put in .never have major trouble with it or false alarms. The 10/70 can have a mix of wired and wireless zones

KoolKid

Thunderbird2 wrote: »

If he wants to go the DIY route he can get all the help he needs off of boards .

I couldn't agree more. There are a few good professional installers here and we will give any help he needs.
He seems to be looking for something cheaper , but if looking at the professional systems then Siemens SPC range
Prices are around the same , but Siemens has lots of extra features. Also the ability to programme the panel from a PC or laptop makes it ideal for the DIY user.

KoolKid

OK Off topic posts deleted.
We are not going to constantly debate the same stuff over & over.
The OP has been given choices ,leave it at that .
@ Thunderbird earlier you were all for the OP doing what he want's , now your telling him what suits him & what doesn't.
Then you try to derail the thread bringing up something totally different.
If people want to recommend panels then that's fine. Attach the info & let the reader decide.
Any more off topic posts get infractions.

altor

:cool:

Thunderbird2

The HKC 10/70 two way wired /wireless hybrid system would also be a professional system with user friendly features such as quick keys . Voice prompts . And flexible wiring installations .

KoolKid

Thunderbird2 wrote: »

The HKC 10/70 two way wired /wireless hybrid system

What is two way wired?
If you want user friendly you can't get easier than programming via any web browser.
If it's voice prompts you want look at Siemens customizable audio options.

Thunderbird2

My mistake ment "two way wireless / wired ".
Technically the point ID is two way and the keypad is also two way since it receives and sends information to the panel

KoolKid

Lol taking that logic every alarm is 2 way.

Thunderbird2

Not all alarms are point ID so no there not .
It was a clear mistake I made . Not going to argue and waste time

KoolKid

But communication is two way to the keypad as the other example pointed out.
Anyway not arguing it.
On the subject, these type of threads seem to bring up the same things over and over. I am getting too many people complaining about the same arguments going on and on.
Its going to stop and this is the plan.
Lets have a thread Visonic vs Quantum and another Siemens vs HKC .
We will trash out the pros and cons there and there only.
Anyone looking for info will be given the panel details and data sheets and a link to the relevant thread.
I'm mobile at the moment ,but hope to get this up later.

Thunderbird2

That seems fair