This Old House Home Security Review Methodology
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We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased home security system reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparent reviews and having the data to back up our ratings and recommendations.
Home Security Research Process
Our Reviews Team reviewed 32 companies and spent 744 hours researching and testing products and services to help us compare home security systems. We compare key factors such as package options, cost, reliability, and ease of use. Our rating system for home security providers is on a 100-point scale based on 10 factors:
Number of Systems (5)
Does the company offer a variety of systems? Do they restrict their package options due to a lack of diverse equipment? Does the company allow the customer to build their own system?
Special Features (10)
What features does the company offer that set it apart from other home security systems or providers? Is there anything included in the company’s monitoring services that other providers do not offer?
Installation Options (5)
Does the company offer professional installation? Does the company require professional installation? Can the customer install the system themselves?
Connectivity and Smart-Home Automation (15)
Can the security system integrate with popular smart-home platforms such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa? Does the company offer equipment to assist with smart-home automation features including smart thermometers and smart lighting?
Pricing (15)
Does the company offer competitive pricing for its equipment and services when compared with other companies on the market?
Contract Period (5)
Does the company offer a short contract period? Does it require a long contract period? Can the customer avoid a contract altogether?
Warranty (15)
What warranties or guarantees does the company place on its equipment? How many warranties are included for each customer, and how long do the warranties last?
Trial Period (15)
Does the company offer a trial period? If so, how long is that trial period? Is the trial period long enough for the customer to learn if they enjoy the security system or not?
Usability (5)
Are the company’s equipment and services user-friendly enough for the average consumer to use them without hassle?
Trustworthiness (10)
How long has the company been in business? What do popular customer review sites state about the company? Does the company have any pending legal action?
About Our Team
We are an independent editorial team of subject matter experts who champion the categories and home services we recommend. From the beginning stages of research to the published review articles, our team works diligently to center the reader’s interests by identifying common pain points, connecting with people with first-hand knowledge and experience, and crafting content that meets the needs of our audience. We aim to help first-time homebuyers, potential sellers, budget-conscious homeowners, and others from all walks of life streamline their decision-making process for selecting their home services.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
