4 Do-It-Yourself Home Security Options

Home security is a big business, but you don’t need to go with a professionally installed and contracted alarm system just to protect your property. Thanks to smart home technology, there are a ton of do-it-yourself home security options that you can both install and maintain on your own—and none of them require you having to rig a system that looks like it came off of the set of Home Alone.

According to a report from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, 60% of home burglars seek alternative targets when they identify the presence of a security system. Among those who notice home security devices after initiating a burglary, about half discontinue their attempt. While burglaries in the United States are on the decline overall, it’s still a good idea to put in some measures to protect your home, your family, and your belongings.

Home security options run the gamut in terms of cost and efficacy, but all of them should in some way help deter—or entirely prevent—criminals from entering your home. If you’re interested in boosting your home’s security but you don’t want to go all in on an expensive monthly alarm system, here are four home security options you can put into place on your own, plus some advice on making the right choice for your home.

Self-install alarm systems

Smart doorbells

Tech-heavy door locks

Live stream cameras

Pros and cons of going the DIY route

Whether you choose to go with a single live streaming camera or a complete self-installed alarm system, there are some inherent advantages—and disadvantages—to going with do-it-yourself home security options. Here are some of the big ones to considers.

Pros:

  • They’re more cost-effective. The options above tend to run significantly cheaper than professional security equipment. The average cost of a non-DIY alarm system in the U.S. is $321 to $1,119 for the system itself, plus an average of $700 for installation. Add in monthly contract fees and you’re looking at quite an investment. Compare this to the DIY options, which are relatively cheap on the outset and don’t come with any additional installation fees.
  • You can take them with you. Unlike wired systems, which are built in to your home and become part of the structure of your property (and thus, like light fixtures and wall mounts, part of the package when you sell your home), DIY home security devices can be taken down when you’re moving. Simply uninstall them, pack them up safely, and reinstall them at your new home.
  • They can pair with other devices. Stick with one manufacturer and you can build on to your system as your budget allows. For example, start with a basic security package, then add in additional cameras, locks, and so on. It’s a good long-term plan for increasing your security over time.

Cons:

  • They’re not going to call the police for you. Even with professional monitoring you’re the main point of contact for non-professional security devices. With a brand like SimpliSafe, for example, you can ask them to call the police for you once they’ve gotten in touch after a security trigger, but it won’t be the de facto response. As such, this may not be the best choice for you if you often spend a lot of time without access to your phone.
  • No professional repairs. If you have a problem with your system and your warranty is up, then you’re going to be on your own when it comes to replacement parts or systems. You’ll also likely have to rely on Google for troubleshooting any problems that you’re having, instead of a trained expert. On the flip side, with a professionally installed security system you’ll be able to call someone in who will take a look at and fix your device for you if you’re experiencing issues while under contract.
  • The risk of user error. If wiring is involved in order to get your device up and running, you’re going to have to depend on your own skills to get it done. In most cases, the exact steps you need to follow are not difficult, per se, but it helps to have basic knowledge about things like electrical wiring. Do it wrong and your system isn’t going to work correctly (or at all). If you’re concerned about user error when it comes to installation, however, you can pay an additional fee to have the above systems professionally installed—a cost that’s probably worth it if you don’t know your way around a toolbox.

In terms of choosing your right DIY security devices, start by figuring out exactly what you need and work backwards from there, researching different brands, options, and pricing. Aim to find one brand that you can grow with your needs, instead of choosing multiple devices from multiple brands—this will ensure that you can link your various devices together for optimal security.