Need advice starting my own security alarm business

[lanbcit68]

Hey guys, I am looking to start my own security alarm business but have no idea if people out there would be interested and if they are how much to charge.

Let me explain. I have found a factory in China that can provide device that can be added to the existing alarm systems so that the alarm can dail to what ever telephone programmed and therefore there is no need to pay monthly monitoring fee anymore, since it will alert you on you cell or office phone. At the same time you can listen into the house in real time when the existing alarm goes off.

I am thinking of not just selling the units but have it installed at customer's house. How much should I charge for labour and parts together. I am thinking since one year of monitoring fee is already $300 or more, may be I can charge around $250 installed price. What price do you guys think would be fair as a customer?

Let me know what you guys think so that I can decide if I would go ahead and put all my life savings into it. Thanks.

 

[DQ Guy]

umm good luck with that..
what with all the other companies out there that offer the same thing
and they will call the police for you as well.
Might be a little hard to get people to trust a little guy like you at first.
If you do go ahead be prepared to spend a lot for nothing at first. Its hard to start off a business.

 

[napcodog]

Some things to consider:

A) What is no one answers the phone the alarm dials because:

1. Cell phone being calling is dead.
2. No one home at the number calling.
3. Cell phone being called is off.
4. Number being called no longer in service.

B) Police will not accept calls from an automatic dialer.

C) Hope you have:

1. Proper insurance as required by law.
   (Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General)
2. Proper licensing from the Government of BC.
   (Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General)
3. Proper licensing and bond with Electrical Safety Authority.

Missing any of Item "C" will cost you big fines.

What happens to you when the unit fails and someone suffers a loss of property or LIFE?????

Other then the above....Go for it, sell away.

 

[Lesbian Hunter]

Hey guys, I am looking to start my own security alarm business but have no idea if people out there would be interested and if they are how much to charge.

Let me explain. I have found a factory in China that can provide device that can be added to the existing alarm systems so that the alarm can dail to what ever telephone programmed and therefore there is no need to pay monthly monitoring fee anymore, since it will alert you on you cell or office phone. At the same time you can listen into the house in real time when the existing alarm goes off.

I am thinking of not just selling the units but have it installed at customer's house. How much should I charge for labour and parts together. I am thinking since one year of monitoring fee is already $300 or more, may be I can charge around $250 installed price. What price do you guys think would be fair as a customer?

Let me know what you guys think so that I can decide if I would go ahead and put all my life savings into it. Thanks.

I would suggest that if you're thinking of investing your life savings into a business, then asking the opinions of people of an escort review board is not a good way to start.

 

[HB40]

I would suggest that if you're thinking of investing your life savings into a business, then asking the opinions of people of an escort review board is not a good way to start.

Whats wrong with people on an escort review board? I think there is a pretty good mix of all types here. I've noticed some very intelligent, accomplished business men & women. I can't offer any advice to him on starting up a business, but as you have made clear, we have to be wary about bad advice too.

 

[timhorton]

Hey guys, I am looking to start my own security alarm business but have no idea if people out there would be interested and if they are how much to charge.

Let me explain. I have found a factory in China that can provide device that can be added to the existing alarm systems so that the alarm can dail to what ever telephone programmed and therefore there is no need to pay monthly monitoring fee anymore, since it will alert you on you cell or office phone. At the same time you can listen into the house in real time when the existing alarm goes off.

I am thinking of not just selling the units but have it installed at customer's house. How much should I charge for labour and parts together. I am thinking since one year of monitoring fee is already $300 or more, may be I can charge around $250 installed price. What price do you guys think would be fair as a customer?

Let me know what you guys think so that I can decide if I would go ahead and put all my life savings into it. Thanks.

Dude, every alarm company has a device like that, probably from the same factory in China. You can go down to Burtek or any of the alarm supply places and pick it up for $25 and install it. Now I understand that your service is actually installing it, but just understand that you aren't onto anything new, and monitoring stations also monitor power outages, etc.

And realize that there are other benefits to having a company monitor - there's a big difference between them calling the cops and you calling the cops. The cops know that the monitoring company has already verified or attempted to verify with the homeowner that it's not a false alarm. If you are out for dinner and your alarm calls you, and you call the cops, the first thing they ask you is, "Is it a false alarm?", and you say, "Uh, I don't think so, but I'm out at WhiteSpot eating a burger - can you go check it out for me?" Or what if you are travelling and out of cell range?

My alarm is monitored, but it also calls me at two numbers. It's a cellular module so it works even if the phone line is cut outside the building. The alarm company charged me something like $30 for it when installing the system.

Don't ask for business advice from a bunch of anonymous people on a escort review board. Do some real market research on the price and service schedules of existing companies. Write a business plan. Do a proforma. Do you have your low-voltage ticket? (I see BCIT in your username). Are you bonded? What's your errors and omissions insurance going to cost? What's your marketing plan?

Go talk to a small business consultant for a couple hours and talk it out. That will give you a much better idea if you should blow your life savings on a business idea, and what's the best way to do it.

 

[bcneil]

I think one of the most important things about buying an alarm, for your most expensive asset, is the reputation of the company.

I have no problem paying 80 cents a day to a company with a proven track record.

Paying money to some guy off a escort review board, to ensure my house is safe.....I will pass

 

[trackstar]

Get a program that can help you write a business plan. If you do not write a business plan, the chances for failure are great. It will show you how to do your due diligence, what public grants you are able to apply for, how sustainable your business will be, etc. NO business should be considered without doing a business plan first.

Also, try the book, "Small Business for Dummies". It's not as thorough as a business plan, but it will show you all of the aspects that you never dreamed that you would be confronted with.

Do your homework first and good luck to you!

 

[BDAClub]

I'm an advocate for people going out on their own.....but find a different industry, this one is far to competetive.....run.....

Keep Trying but find a different industry/product to get behind

 

[lanbcit68]

I can seen it not a good idea

I guest from you guy's help, it is not a good idea. But what about Video door intercom installed for $250? This way I can do it after work as a side job until businese is established, at least this might get me in through the door first.

 

[tao]

I guest from you guy's help, it is not a good idea. But what about Video door intercom installed for $250? This way I can do it after work as a side job until businese is established, at least this might get me in through the door first.

lan, don't give up so easily brah. most of the people that answered are probably just jealous they didn't think of it first.

look, bill gates and donald trump never made billions by sitting on the sidelines and not taking chances.

don't worry about that little thing happening in the US banking system, that can only help as more financially desperate people turn to crime and the demand for your product spikes.

even if you lose your life's saving, so what? you can learn from it and come back even stronger!!

over?
did you say over?
nothing is over until we decide it is!
was it over when the germans bombed pearl harbor?
HELL NO!!!!!!!!!

 

[bcneil]

lan, don't give up so easily brah. most of the people that answered are probably just jealous they didn't think of it first.

I think all the people in this thread have gave him constructive critism, and things to consider in a respectful manner.

Many of us run businesses, and know there is much much more to it, then finding a cheap product to sell.

Chalking it up, to we are all just jealous seems abit....I don't know....

 

[timhorton]

even if you lose your life's saving, so what? you can learn from it and come back even stronger!!

This is excellent advice. Maybe Tao want to lend lanbcit68 his life savings.

I'm not sure the answers of other posters are out of jealousy - I think they are just warning lanbcit68 to do his due diligence.

You don't take a chance just for the sake of taking a chance. You pause, think, and take your best chance.

For someone with the name Tao, you sure give some unwise advice.

 

[tao]

I think all the people in this thread have gave him constructive critism, and things to consider in a respectful manner.

Many of us run businesses, and know there is much much more to it, then finding a cheap product to sell.

Chalking it up, to we are all just jealous seems abit....I don't know....

psssst neil, if i end my post with a quote from animal house it should be obvious it was an attempt at humor

c'mon man it's friday nite, cheers!

 

[trackstar]

I guest from you guy's help, it is not a good idea. But what about Video door intercom installed for $250? This way I can do it after work as a side job until businese is established, at least this might get me in through the door first.

Rather than giving up on this based on a few opinions do your due diligence. If this is how you plan on doing business in the future you're going to be a very poor man. Poor men splurge their savings for a quick romp on the low track dude. Do you really wanna poon there?

 

[lanbcit68]

was it over when the germans bombed pearl harbor?
HELL NO!!!!!!!!!

Sorry but can't help and notice this, I guess I have not been watching the news lately. How many people died in the attack?

 

[trackstar]

Sorry but can't help and notice this, I guess I have not been watching the news lately. How many people died in the attack?

Nobody died, he meant all of the Germans that got bombed while they were visiting Pearl Harbor. Those fuckers can drink!

That was one of the best scenes in Animal House btw! I saw that in the theatre when I was a kid. It wasn't rated and my dad asked the girl selling tickets if it was suitable for kids. The dumb shit said yes, the folks dropped off me and my sister and away we go! To be honest, I didn't understand half of the movie until it came out on video

 

[napcodog]

Cheap Monitoring

http://www.midasalarm.com/

$12.99 / month

ALARM INDUSTRY BOTTOM FEEDERS, THEY CAN NOT EVEN AFFORD AN OFFICE. Run the phone numbers in 411.ca.......they work out of their home.

Ya 12.99 CHEAP alright...Get what you pay for....

 

[AliGujjar]

I would like to let everyone know that Alarm Force is a great security provider. Both of my parents are far into their retirement and their age seems to be holding them back. They have difficulty walking up and down the stairs and have little to no means of protecting themselves. Unfortunately, their next door neighbor’s home has recently been broken into so I decided to purchase them a security system. The representative gave me a perfect package deal where the system was thoroughly explained to my parents and they could call a representative at any time for more assistance. Above all, it is great knowing that I don’t have to worry about their safety since they are finally protected and secure in their home.