Alarm system queries

[blunt]

So I'm almost done with renovations and need a new alarm system - I received quite a hefty quote for a paradox system - all wireless etc. so I did not expect it to be cheap.

One issue I have is that on the quote the company has specified specific parts (i.e. specific outside beam, inside beam, transceiver etc.) - so I googled the parts and where I am being charged R2900 incl. VAT per outside beam I am able to get it from communica direct for R1900 odd (and basically every other part has a hefty mark-up compared to if I buy from a place like communica)

I queried this and they said that it's because they "guarantee" the parts, so if it breaks I don't need to pay for a call out. Basically I've been quoted R13k more than if I were to buy the parts direct from Communica / security hyperstore and then just use them for installation.

I asked another security company about a quote and they also started giving me a story about how they guarantee parts if provided by them.

I'm not sure if I have some flaw in my understanding here but these alarm companies do not manufacture the parts and if it breaks they are just going to return it to the supplier - as I would do with Communica if it broke.

Am I being unreasonable? Is it normal to charge a 50% mark-up on retail prices for some sort of "guarantee" - R13k worth of "guarantee" so I "dont have to pay for call outs if it breaks"?

 

[Hemi300c]

Do it yourself and get the alarm company you contract with to program and do the electronic setup and radio/transmitter.

 

[chrisc]

You are 100% correct. However, make sure the Paradox alarm components you get from Communica are genuine parts, not knock-offs. I have seen knock-offs and while they look almost identical, even to the logo and printing, do not work as nearly as well

It is normal to mark up alarm components by 50% but not also to charge a hefty installation fee on top of that

If you give me a list of exactly what you require - detectors, cable, glue, panel, battery, transformer, siren, etc I will give you prices of the genuine article

 

[blunt]

You are 100% correct. However, make sure the Paradox alarm components you get from Communica are genuine parts, not knock-offs. I have seen knock-offs and while they look almost identical, even to the logo and printing, do not work as nearly as well

It is normal to mark up alarm components by 50% but not also to charge a hefty installation fee on top of that

If you give me a list of exactly what you require - detectors, cable, glue, panel, battery, transformer, siren, etc I will give you prices of the genuine article

Surely a decent alarm company would have a dealership arrangement and if they put their mark-up it'd be on dealer prices, not 50% mark up on what a regular shop charges? I can understand maybe 10% more than a normal shop but 50%?

 

[maumau]

We had a similar situation in June and opted to get everything from the alarm company. It was only an upgrade so the difference was just over R2000 but the mark up was high.

The technician couldn't get it right and has come back SIX times to tweak the system. Yesterday a different technician swapped something out so hopefully it's now fixed.

Grateful we didn't buy the parts privately and get them to install.

 

[chrisc]

From my experience, the markup on components varies from 30% to 500%, depending on who is doing the job. I have seen other quotes where an outdoor detector, costing R 1600 at a supplier, is listed at R 4800. A few of these and you soon have a R20k quote in your hands. The premise seems to be "whatever the market will bear" and surprisingly, many people do not shop around, or get blinded by science by a good sales person or frightened into thinking that all other installers are crooks or are dodgy and their offer is the only one to consider

 

[naeem]

and the kicker is....

Alarm Installer sales guy will be like "yeah but you cant put a price on your family safety" - and use that to price gouge.


Was fortunate to have my alarm (DSC evolution) installed by a recommended installer (did bro's place, stores, etc) . iirc i paid about 8.5k
- 15 room sensors, 2 door sensors, panel, 3 remotes, configured 2 garages & gate to remote, cabling, etc etc.

This was about 7 years ago so theres that too

 

[roligov]

Do it yourself, IDS is also generally a lot cheaper than paradox, with the same end result and features.

 

[midnightcaller]

Do it yourself, IDS is also generally a lot cheaper than paradox, with the same end result and features.

This is what I did.
First a I wrote a full spec for what I wanted.
Got ADT to come in an quote. They proposed R37k odd.

Then I got an account at IDS.
Bought all the material. Installed myself. Last bit of commissioning I brought in an installer.
Total cost R12.5k

Zero issues to date.

 

[blunt]

I don't mind paying for installation, I don't want to do it myself, but don't quote me almost double on parts and then add a very modest "installation fee" to make yourself look reasonably priced.

I guess it's naive to expect honesty in this industry when it comes to installation quotes.

Needless to say getting 2 other quotes to compare.