Home Security Systems & Home Alarm Companies in Alameda County serving Alameda, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Kensington, Livermore, Mount Eden, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Sunol and Union City

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How to Find the Best Home Security and Alarm Company in Alameda County

As a home or business owner, safety and security is paramount, whether it be for your family or your property. Whether you are looking for a motion detector or video surveillance cameras, there are a number of experienced, widely recommended security and alarm companies in the Alameda County area who can install all manner of burglar alarms . The articles below can aide you in your search for a professional home security or burglar alarm company in the Alameda County area. more »

How to Find the Best Home Security and Alarm Company in Alameda County 

Alameda County Home Security Professionals Offer the Latest in Security Technology
In Alameda County, home security and alarm companies carry a variety of products from which to choose. There are a number of features to consider that may enhance or detract from the integrity of your home security system. If you simply wish to secure the entry of your home or business, qualified companies can install card readers, key pads, electric locks, or any number of other access control systems. Companies with the proper training can add to your system with more sophisticated features, including closed-circuit television (CCTV), wireless or hardwired video systems, hidden video or digital security cameras, video domes, time-lapse VCRs and other monitoring hardware. Licensed dealers usually carry needed individual components, such as wire cable, connectors, and weatherproof accessories. Some dealers also stock security items that fall outside of the real of anti-theft, including fire alarms.

Home Alarm Companies in Alameda County Back their Products with Additional Services
Most burglar alarm companies in the Hayward, Oakland, Dublin and Fremont area offer standard security services, including the sale of customized security devices, as well as installation services, which require at least a C7 contractor license. The best security companies in Alameda County keep their clients confident in their services by offering a number of safety features with their installation and sales. In addition to the sales of security and monitoring equipment, burglar and security alarm companies can often offer complete building security for commercial, residential, governmental, and medical properties. These may include 24 hour on-call maintenance for new or existing systems, or round-the-clock surveillance from a central unit operated by the company. The best alarm companies hire only NICET certified technicians for security system installation and maintenance, and offer money-back guarantees against theft, service problems, or relocation. Some companies can also offer patrol service, which requires a Private Patrol Operator (PPO) license. This particular licensing can be checked through the California Department of Consumer Affairs. 

Use  Discretion When Choosing a Alameda County Home Security Dealer
It takes more than a generic application fee to run a home security business.
In the State of California, individuals who wish to operate such a business are required to obtain Alarm Company Operator (ACO) licensing. For the safety of the consumer, this licensing can only be attained after a criminal history review is conducted by the Department of Justice and the FBI. The home security industry is also strictly regulated by agencies like the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) and the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA). Screen potential security companies against these crucial criteria. The Prime Buyer's Report article "Key Consumer Resources for Home Security and Alarms in Alameda County" should help with this task. We've taken the time to screen a number of the alarm companies in Oakland. By company merit, customer satisfaction, and credentials, we've ranked the top ten home security and alarm companies in Alameda County as the following: ADT Home Security, Reed Brothers Security, Maco Security Products, A 1 Security, Global Security Systems Inc, Detect-All Security Systems, WebDispatch.com, Reed Brothers Security, Sentry Alarm Systems, Sentry Alert Inc.

 

 

Choosing the Best Home Security and Burglar Alarm Company in Alameda County 

Before you commit to a Alameda County home security business, screen several companies carefully to learn about any work history, community reputation, and pricing standards. Start by calling a handful of early contenders and posing them the following questions.

How long have you been in business?

Do you have any local references that I may contact?

Will you provide a written estimate?

How long should it take to complete installation or service?

How do you price parts and labor?

Can you customize a security system to my particular property?

Do you offer any kind of warranty for parts or labor?

What type of licensing and/or certifications do you and your employees hold (e.g., NICET, NFBAA)?

Do you provide maintenance on preexisting systems?

With the companies that pass this stage, research the current status by contacting agencies like the Better Business Bureau, Diamond Certified, and California State licensing agencies.

Arrange for visits from different company representatives. These meetings should yield a written quote.

Compare your quotes and hire the optimal Alameda County home security and alarm company. Ensure that your hired security company provides you with a written and signed contract that details pricing, warranty agreements and operation instructions.

 

 

Key Consumer Resources for Home Security and Alarm Companies in Alameda County 

Associations & Licensing

AHA American Homeowners Association (www.ahahome.com)

ANSI American National Standards Institute (www.ansi.org)

BBB Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org)

CAA California Alarm Association (www.caaonline.org)

CSLB Contractor State License Board (www.cslb.ca.gov)

CSAA Central Station Alarm Association (www.csaaul.org)

DCA State of California Department of Consumer Services (www.dca.ca.gov)

Diamond Certified (www.diamondcertified.org)

EBAA East Bay Alarm Association (www.ebaaonline.org)

NASCO National Association of Security Companies (www.www.nasco.org)

NBFAA National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (www.alarm.org)

NICET National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (www.nicet.org)

NSA National Sheriff's Association (www.sheriffs.org)

SIA Security Industry Association (www.siaonline.org)

SIAC Security Industry Alarm Coalition (www.siacinc.org)

 

Print Media & Web Resources

Access Control & Security Systems Magazine

Call Center Magazine

Electronic House Magazine

Protection, Automation and Control (PAC) World Magazine

Security Dealer Magazine

Security Distributing and Marketing Magazine

Security Management Magazine

Security Systems News

Security Technology & Design Magazine

Security Trade Association Trade Digest

 
www.accentalarms.com/forum/default.asp

www.alarmsystemreviews.com

www.crimedoctor.com

www.diyalarmforum.com

www.ehow.com

 
The Prime Buyer's Report provides information on the top 10 home security dealers and installation companies in Alameda County by zip code:

94501, 94502, 94536, 94537, 94538, 94539, 94540, 94541, 94542, 94543, 94544, 94545, 94546, 94550, 94551, 94552, 94555, 94557, 94560, 94566, 94568, 94577, 94578, 94579, 94580, 94586, 94587, 94588, 94601, 94602, 94603, 94604, 94605, 94606, 94607, 94608, 94609, 94610, 94611, 94612, 94613, 94614, 94615, 94617, 94618, 94619, 94620, 94621, 94623, 94624, 94661, 94662, 94701, 94702, 94703, 94704, 94705, 94706, 94707, 94708, 94709, 94710 and 94712

The Prime Buyer's Report also provides information on the top 10 home security sales and installation companies in Alameda County by city:

Alameda, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Kensington, Livermore, Mount Eden, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Sunol and Union City

 

 

Tips for Dealing with Home Security and Alarm Companies in Alameda County 

Look for Referrals
For more ideas about qualified home security companies, ask reliable sources, such as your property insurance agent, or consult respected agencies for member lists, such as the National Fire and Burglar Alarm Association.

Insist on Documentation
Until your agreement with a home security company is in writing and signed, it is not official. So make sure that your representative provides a written contract that details all aspects of the intended work, including time estimates, labor details and pricing.

Verify the Appropriate Credentials
If you intend to hire a home security company for any installation work, make sure they have the appropriate licensure for the tasks you require. Most installation procedures require contractor licensing (e.g., CCTV setup requires a low voltage systems contractor license; installation of metal window guards or electronic access control systems requires a lock and security equipment contractor license). For more information on the stipulated tasks of each contractor license type, visit the Web site for the Contractor State License Board. Additionally, other regulatory agencies require home security companies to meet their standards. Verify that your chosen business is up to date with ACO licensing and, if relevant, Private Patrol Operator (PPO) licensing. 

Educate Yourself
Use some of the resources listed in "Key Consumer Resources for Home Security and Alarms in Alameda County" to familiarize yourself with alarm types and the terminology of the industry. 

Protect Yourself
Because so much is at stake, the security system industry is strictly monitored and regulated. As a consumer, there are certain statues you should become familiar with before entering into an agreement with a vendor or contractor. Find these details at the Web site for the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs. 

Inquire About System Compatibility
Certain systems still allow for features like "local-programming lockout" and "proprietary" servicing. These features allow alarm companies to make residential alarm systems inaccessible to competing alarm maintenance companies. Fortunately, some manufacturers of these systems do not include this feature.

 

 

Burglar Alarm and Security Companies in Hayward, Oakland, Dublin and Fremont offer the best brands 

GE Security, WiLife, DSC, Honeywell, Visonic, Optex, Rokonet, Linear Security, Elk Products, Winland Electronics, Sensaphone, Cyrex, Sky Link, Reporter, Winn, SVAT, Dakota Alert, iGuard, Caddx Security Equipment, Amseco, ATW, Napco, Sentrol, USP, Network Video Technologies, Vicon Industries, and Video Comm.