self install or not

hi all

my client (who is a friend) is currently having his house rewired and replumbed.

He mentioned that he was getting ADT to quote for a new alarm install. I told him that I have worked in numerous houses that have regretted going with ADT.

The salesman recommended a totally wire free install. I may be old skool but I suggested that he consider a wired option (fewer potential points of failure).

He then got Banhams to quote.

He then got some firm in the middle of nowhere to come out to quote at very short notice. That firm told him where to run the alarm cables to and still quoted him £5K ex VAT (inclusive of the first year's monitoring). From memory Banhams were a couple of grand cheaper...

He lives in a 4 bedroom house in west London.

I have suggested that he try local companies and suggested that he try; Octagon, Ambush and Home Counties.

He is now mooting the possibility of a self install. If he went down that path, which brands would you suggest? Or can you recommend any firms that will give him a sensible price. The alarm won't include the smoke detectors.. He decided that he wanted Nest...

For the record, I have run the cables for the following- 6 PIRs, 1 door reed, 3 panic buttons, 2 keypads, 2 external bells and an internal sounder.

His finances are pretty tight so if need be I will step up to the plate and install the while thing myself. There will be a bit of a learning curve but I am happy to take a financial hit to help him out- he really is a lovely fellow.

Feedback would be gratefully appreciated.

Cheersi

I tend to do alarms as a side issue, so am not an expert, so I go simple and adequate and use the Honeywell Accenta panels, but the pros here will suggest a Galaxy G2-12. But I also tend to use vibration detectors, as they allow you to not only set the system at night, but can stop a lot of problems as they'll go off on the first attempt before they even get in. So if you've got 6PIRs, then a 12 zone system would be better. Blimey, £5K for an alarm system; did they have the cheek of the devil, or we don't really want the job unless you really make it worthwhile.

If going with the Honeywell Galaxy G2-12, you will probably need to run one sounder in SCB mode and one in SAB mode due to overall current requirements. I personally like to put the Dimension 48 in decent sized domestics. Driving two illuminated sounders in full SAB mode is no problem for the big linear power supply. The G2-12 with prox keypad will cost you £80 and the Dimension with keypad £150 (delivered). Both panels include upgrade paths for low cost self monitoring and wireless if required at a later date. The dimension has better capability for automation.

You'll get lots of advice from this forum - especially if you go down the Honeywell or Texecom route. If you go down the Honeywell route, I can mark up your connection pictures and advise on programming for you.

Banham’s are very good, great service engineers too!

Insist on cables! Do not go wireless!! (Your be paying between £5-£10 per battery, per detector, per year on top of standard maintence costs and monitoring if required)

Why nest? An intruder alarm smoke detector will do everything and more than nest, including an app, regular maintenance, auto tests and being more discreet on the ceiling. Nest is just clever marketing!

The Eaton/Scantronic iON panels are quite straightforward... And you have the option of wireless for the garden shed.