What is the best home security system?

The best home security system for you depends on your home and your lifestyle, but we suggest a custom 24-hour monitoring service like the one you can find from Abt's Custom Security department. That way, you don't have to do all the monitoring yourself.

What is the best security alarm system for home?

Abt is proud to partner with Alarm.com to bring you the best in home security, and if you already have a smart home, Abt Security can integrate with systems like Control4 and Crestron.

How much does a home security system cost?

That can depend on your home and your needs, and that is why Abt offers a free estimate at your residence.

800-860-3577

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Tips From Ryan: How To Build Your Own Home Security System with Abt

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THE OFFICIAL BLOG OF ABT

Services

Tips From Ryan: How To Build Your Own Home Security System with Abt

By: Sean

Content Writer

12 min read

Whether you're worried about the occasional porch pirate or want to keep large-scale burglars at bay, ramping up your home security is never a bad idea ... especially with help from the experts at Abt. So ask the question, "Do I need a home security system?" Nearly everyone has some kind of home security these days, and if you don't, it's time to add some extra protection to your home. For this pick in our collection of service blog posts, we spoke to Ryan Hickey, the Custom Security Manager at Abt. He knows security inside and out, from a simple Ring camera to a full-blown 24-hour integrated custom security system. If you want to know what to look for in a home security camera system, thanks to Ryan, we have answers.

That's a good question, and there are lots of answers. If you are asking how to build your own home security system DIY-style with products from brands like Ring as well as Eufy, you'll find the products you need at Abt. But in an evolving world, Ryan thinks everyone needs to step it up.

"On the sales floor, we have your DIY products ... that you can install yourself, or we can install those as well. But if you want 24-hour monitoring, more of a high-end system, you can come to Custom Security at Abt."

In Ryan's eyes, it's better to be prepared than to find yourself in an emergency, whether that's a break-in, burst pipes, a carbon monoxide leak or something else. That's why Abt has something for everyone when it comes to home security, and why our 24-hour security system partners with the experts at Alarm.com.

Many people start their home security experience with our small electronics section if they're in the store: we have a comprehensive collection of home security gear, and it's what gets many people thinking about what to look for in a home security camera system. Maybe they see a new doorbell, a sensor, or something else that's a little more groundbreaking. Could that be a good option for you? Maybe, depending on your home. With products like Ring doorbells, outdoor floodlights from Eufy, and exterior cameras from Google, it's easy to tailor a system to meet your needs. That being said, you will be doing all of the work yourself, including the monitoring. These products can be a good place to start ... or do you need to opt for a more professional experience with 24-hour monitoring from Abt?

With Abt Security and Alarm.com, you can find security upgrades that protect nearly every element of your home. Some of Ryan's favorites? POE cameras (that's Power Over Ethernet), door sensors, glass break sensors, smoke sensors and carbon monoxide sensors. While they might seem on the basic side, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide sensors are some of the most popular products many users are looking for right now, and that's because home insurance offers you rewards for having them in your home. When you choose Abt for home security, you're working with some of the best products we can find, and depending on the camera, you can opt for Turing AI. Turing AI helps discern people from cars, and even detects certain license plates. Turing AI, Alarm.com and Abt Security all work together in one ecosystem to bring your home the ultimate in smart safety.

Two smartphones that showcase a security app, showing how you can lock the front door, arm your system and more.

So, what does professional security look like for a classic home, or an average house? If you're just getting started and are trying to answer the question of how to build your own home security system, Abt has a starter package to make choosing what you need easy. So, what comes included in a professional starter package from Abt and Alarm.com? Here, you'll get a touchscreen keypad, three door or window sensors, as well as a motion detector or a glass breaking sensor. Bigger houses will need more, but with a standard home, this is a good way to start. Ryan mentioned that there are tons of more add-ons you can include, from different lighting solutions to the AI mentioned above, but if you're just beginning, this starter package is a great place to start.

We asked Ryan what some of the main benefits are when you opt for Abt Security initially, or move up from your own DIY home security system to a pro-tier experience you can find here. He listed out just a few of the advantages that users enjoy when they choose to build a professional security system with Abt and Alarm.com.

"You're getting 24-hour support, and you're getting the customer support that you'd expect from Abt. In an emergency, you're not making a call outside of the country; if something happens, you're calling Abt. Plus, you're getting higher-quality products. When there's an emergency, you'll want to be prepared with the right gear ahead of time, not after something's already happened. You don't want to end up on the news."

Everything is easy to manage with the app, too. Whether you have just a few cameras or a system that ties into a smart home, managing it from your smartphone is easy. You can see alerts, make adjustments and contact specialists with ease with the Alarm.com app. The app is easy to navigate and simple to use, whether you're tapping into it from a phone, tablet, or even a smartwatch. It's easy to keep an eye on things from your computer as well, no matter where you are ... even from across the nation.

When it comes to those with multiple homes or folks who travel a lot, you don't want to spend too much time worrying about a second residence. Whether you're leaving for a lakehouse or spending the winter in Florida, keeping your home (or both homes) safe is necessary, so take care of it ahead of time with Abt Security. If you're wondering what to look for in a home security camera system for a home you'll be away from for a large part of the time, we're here to help. Ryan says:

"Maybe folks want to know the basics, like if their doors are open, or just want to make sure the smoke detectors are on. If you're away for longer, we can take care of issues like water sensors, installing water sensors for folks who want to know if a pipe bursts in the cold. We can tie in a thermostat control to the Alarm system for extra safety."

But what if something happens and you're away from home? If you've worked with Abt Security and designed a proper system, there should be a way for our professionals to get in and fix the problem, whether it's with a door lock code, a garage keypad or something else. If something goes wrong, you can be sure that Abt will be there to help

We've mentioned both the Alarm.com app and our 24-hour assistance—whatever way you need help from Abt, we're just a tap or a phone call away. That extends to folks who are living at home, or if you're away from home on vacation or staying in your second home. Whatever your life looks like, it's important to build your home security system to fit your lifestyle. That being said, if you're less comfortable with using apps, our team of specialists can help you set up a system that is easy for you to use. And if you have any trouble, you can always reach out to us.

If you're ready to build your own home security system with help from the pros, we're here to help. Instead of juggling products, alerts and apps from different DIY cameras and lights, reach out to our team of experts for a free estimate at your residential space. Our experts (including specialists like Ryan) will help you find out exactly what you need for your home, whether you live on a busy city block, up against a forest preserve or somewhere in between. Each space has its own safety concerns, and that's why you'll want the licensed experts from Abt's Custom Home Security team on your side. To learn more, reach out to our team of specialists at 800-860-3577, or explore some of the other custom home services we offer here at Abt. We recently posted about about Apple CarPlay with Mobile Install, and brought readers some tips from our HVAC department.