“Mikhael was great! Explained the system completely and installed everything and hid the wires so it’s not an eyesore. Great guy and great install.”
Buyer’s Guide
What to Compare Between Home Security Companies
Six things separate one home security company from another. Work through them in order and the shortlist narrows quickly.
Installation — a technician who places and tests every device, or a self-install kit you set up yourself.
Monitoring — 24/7 professional monitoring, or alerts that go only to your phone.
Equipment — which sensors, cameras and smart-home devices are included rather than optional.
Contract — how long the monitoring agreement runs and what ending it early costs.
Total cost — the upfront installation charge as well as the monthly monitoring rate.
Availability — whether the provider actually covers your ZIP code and how soon they can install.
Who Installs It vs. Who Monitors It
Home security companies can differ significantly in how installation and monitoring are handled, and that distinction is worth understanding before you compare quotes. Some sell you equipment and leave the setup to you. Others send a technician and contract a monitoring center to watch the system afterwards. SafeStreets is the second kind: their technicians do the installation, and ADT provides the round-the-clock monitoring behind it. When you compare providers, ask which half of that they actually perform themselves.
Five Questions Worth Asking Any Provider
Specification sheets rarely separate one security company from another. These do.
- Is a technician available at my ZIP code, and how soon?
- What is the total monthly cost once monitoring is added, and how long is the agreement?
- What happens to the system during a power cut or an internet outage?
- When an alarm triggers, who calls me, and how quickly are emergency services dispatched?
- And if something stops working in month eight, who comes out to fix it?
A provider who answers all five plainly is usually the one worth shortlisting.
Professional Installation vs. Self-Install Kits
Self-install kits are cheaper up front and put the labor on you: deciding sensor placement, testing coverage, and troubleshooting connectivity when a device drops off the network. Professionally installed systems cost more at the outset and carry an installation charge, but a trained technician places and tests every device, confirms coverage across all entry points, and walks you through the app before leaving. For most homeowners the honest question is not which is better in the abstract, but whether you want to own the setup and the troubleshooting yourself.
Comparing Monitoring Plans and Contracts
Monitoring is the recurring cost, so it deserves more attention than the equipment list. Check the monthly rate, the length of the agreement, what the early termination terms are, and whether the advertised price includes cellular backup or charges separately for it. A low headline equipment price attached to a long agreement at a higher monthly rate can easily cost more over three years than the reverse.
Professionally installed systems are built around a monitored control panel, with sensors, app control and smart-home devices added to suit the property.
Comparing Equipment and Smart-Home Features
Two systems can look similar on a specification sheet and behave very differently in a home. When comparing equipment, check which devices are included rather than optional: door and window sensors, motion sensors, glass-break detectors, a video doorbell, indoor and outdoor security cameras, smart locks and a smart thermostat. Ask how they are controlled, too — one app that handles arming, camera video and smart-home devices is easier to live with than several that do not talk to each other.
A few details are easy to miss and worth asking about directly. Check whether the system uses cellular backup so it can stay connected to the monitoring center if home internet goes down, and ask what backup power is available during an electrical outage. Also ask who decides where the devices go: on a professionally installed system a technician places and tests each sensor around the layout of your home, rather than leaving placement entirely to the homeowner.
Professional Installation vs. Self-Install Kits
| What to Compare | Professional (SafeStreets) | Self-Install Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Who sets it up | A technician places, installs and tests every device, then walks you through the app. | You do. Placement, testing and troubleshooting are your responsibility. |
| Who responds to an alarm | A monitoring center responds to eligible alarm events under the monitoring plan. | With self-monitoring, you receive alerts and decide how to respond. With a professional monitoring plan, a monitoring center responds to eligible alarm events. |
| Ongoing cost | Monthly monitoring from $49.99/mo with a required agreement. Installation costs $99-$299; minimum $199 in California. | Costs vary by provider and plan. Self-monitoring may have no monthly fee; professional monitoring, video storage and other features may require a paid plan. |
| Commitment | 36-month monitoring agreement (24 months in California), with early termination fees. | Agreement length, cancellation terms and equipment ownership or financing vary by provider and plan. |
| Best suited to | Homeowners who want someone else responsible for setup and response. | Renters, smaller spaces, or people comfortable managing it themselves. |
Neither option is automatically better. Installation and monitoring are separate choices. A self-installed system may offer self-monitoring or professional monitoring, depending on the provider and plan. Pricing, equipment, availability and agreement terms are confirmed through provider review.
Want to understand the pricing side in more detail? See our guide to what affects home security cost, or learn what professional home security installation includes.
If you are comparing providers locally, our Houston home security guide covers installation, monitoring, and home-specific planning considerations for the Houston area.
Check Coverage and Get a Quote
Availability varies by ZIP code, so the fastest way to narrow the field is to check who actually serves your address. You can request a quote online or call 855-532-1019. TheHomeSecurityCompany.com connects qualifying homeowners with SafeStreets, an ADT Authorized Provider. Submitting a quote request does not guarantee service availability, approval, installation, pricing, or offer eligibility.
Check Availability in Your ZIPCustomer Reviews
Customer Experience Is One Thing to Compare
Reviews are one signal among several — weigh them alongside pricing, contract terms, equipment and who installs the system. SafeStreets is rated 4.9/5 on Trustpilot across 121,000+ reviews.
“Joseph Gabriel was so patient and did an awesome job explaining the system to me and setting the system up. He deserves a raise — wonderful work.”
Brooke Elizabel
“Saul did so amazing! He even let my 5 year old help him, and was very patient. I just moved into my house yesterday and he helped me figure a couple of things out.”
Jordan Vannostran
Reviews reflect individual SafeStreets customer experiences and are not a guarantee of any particular outcome.
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SafeStreets Professional
Expert Installation by SafeStreets Professional Technicians
No DIY. A trained professional handles every step — from equipment placement to a complete app walkthrough.
- Installation in 2–4 hours
- Full app walkthrough included
- No tools or tech knowledge needed
- $99-$299 professional installation charge; minimum $199 in California
Theft Protection Guarantee†
If a burglary occurs while your ADT system is armed, ADT will pay up to $500 of your homeowner’s insurance deductible.
†Certain restrictions apply. See terms below.
Common Questions
Everything You Need to Know
Is the quote truly free with no obligation?
Yes, completely. If you choose to proceed, a $99-$299 installation charge applies, with a minimum $199 installation charge in California. Monitoring starts at $49.99/month with a 36-month agreement (24 months in California). Early termination fees apply.
What does the free* system include?
Qualifying homeowners receive up to $1,200 in equipment — including the ADT Command Touchscreen, door/window sensors, motion detector, and key fob — with $99-$299 installation (minimum $199 in California) and a new monitoring agreement starting at $49.99/mo. The agreement is 36 months, or 24 months in California. Early termination fees apply.
Who is SafeStreets?
SafeStreets is ADT's largest Authorized Provider, operating in 44 states with nearly 400 trained installation consultants covering over 90% of the U.S. population.
How long does installation take?
Most installations are completed in 2–4 hours. A professional SafeStreets technician handles everything — no tools or technical knowledge needed on your part.
What happens when an alarm triggers?
ADT's 24/7 monitoring center is immediately notified. A trained operator contacts you and dispatches emergency services if needed.
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