Prewiring alarm for a new house

 I am building a new house, and as an almost afterthought, I want to install
prewiring for an alarm system.  I am thinking of just prewiring the system for
now, and purchase the system/subscription later.  The drywall is not up, so
this should be reasonably easy to do.

System wise, I don't want to commit to a particular system/vendor yet, and I
want flexibility of choosing from different provider later.  I assume that all
the wires are compatible amongst the many different systems (ie, the three
wires for power, ground, and signal, same gauge requirements, etc)?  If not,
what should I look for?

What can I expect to pay for this?  How do I spot a good installer?  What
questions do I ask?  How many sensors should I install (I am thinking all the
doors, all the windows, fire, water, smoke, low O2 (is there such thing), what
else am I missing?)?

Thanks.

  John Smith wrote:


   Sorry, I don't get the logic.  You're trying to prepare for
   a universal compatibility that you don't even know exists,
   and for no other reason than not wanting to commit to a
   service provider???


   Well, you know what happens when you do that...


   So many questions, and the only answer is with another one:
 
   WHY?

   Pick a damned security company and let them wire the place.

   Do you REALLY think somebody will come in and guarantee the
   workmanship of their installation using your existing wiring?

   If you were planning on doing this yourself, I could maybe
   see some logic here, but you're talking about getting some
   contractor who DOESN'T do this everyday (the installers from
   the security company DO) and paying them to do it, and you
   have no clue as to what they should charge you?

   Yikes.

--
   TP / Network Man __________________________________
               If u want the races for free,
               somebody has to pay for it.   ($1 Earl)

 

Had a similar situation where the builder did the prewire and we added an alarm
system about a year later. Found out too late that the wire to one window was
shorted ouit (nail, who knows?) and so one window will never trip.

By the way - there are good alarm systems that can be installed that do NOT
require any kind of subscription or contract. Find a company that is willing to
install one of those and do not get coerced into signing a multi-year contract.

 Sir, just another comment. I regularly install professional alarms in homes
that are pre wired. In most cases, everything works out well and I am able
to offer the homeowner a discount on his alarm system, since most of my work
is done. However, it is fairly common that drywallers or other trades will
damage a wire (and it's usually one that goes to a window that is difficult
to retrofit).
About the only thing you can do is check all wires in the quad to see if you
have one usable pair, or go wireless on that one window.

As for your comments about finding a progressive company that doesn't lock
you into a multi year contract, I couldn't agree more. There is absolutely
NOTHING in a long term contract that benefits the consumer other than the
obvious benefit of being able to defer payment of your alarm system over
many months. But if you pay for it at a fair market price up front, then you
should be able to get your ongoing services for a more reasonable price
without a long term commitment on your part.

R.H.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.homemetal.com

"Clark W. Griswold, Jr." <73115 dot 1041 at compuserve dot com> wrote in

willing to

contract.

 

Now, why didn't I think of that? Thank you...