HawthorneVillager.com

I'm just wondering if you guys went with the Mecel security system or did you decide to look elsewhere?

We did the same.
According to Mattamy, if you want more sensors,
you can talk to them before they install the system.

Sandra

We are thinking of having at least one put up on the second floor.

You never know, someone might just decide to break in through the top floor window if it is easily accessible... I hope it doesn't sound like I am paranoid!

Sandra

This is the 2nd home I've had to be built for me and I had an alarm system in the old one too. Some suggestions are...
a) have 3 key pads--a key pad at the front door, the garage door into your home AND the patio sliding door to the backyard (you would not believe the number of nights at 3 in the morning I got up to let the dogs out and half asleep opened the back patio doors only to have the sirens go off because we had magnetic ?? security contacts on the back patio door--unless you are wide awake at that time and can remember to shut the alarm off I highly recommend this)
b) magnetic ?? security contacts on all main floor windows and basement windows (I don't really think you need them on the upper floor unless there is a very, very easy way to get up to a second floor window---we are moving into an area that is safe and community oriented so I don't think we need to worry)
c) have glass break sensors on all windows on the main floor and basement level
d) reconsider getting motion sensors especially if you have pets ( the police did not like it when they had to come to my old home while I was at work only because I left the basement door partly open and my dogs set off the motion sensor in the basement) Also, if you have the contacts on the windows and patio doors, and the glass break sensors, then having the motion sensor is really a waste (if someone was going to get in to set off the motion sensor then they would have already set off one the other two security features--unless there is something I haven't thought about )
e) the security company will give you signs for the front lawn and for the windows--use them! A thief will most likely go to a house that s/he is not sure is or is not alarmed than one that they know IS alarmed.

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Kayla, Jim, Shailei & Connor
Vanderwood C--Phase 12

I talked to Ralph at Mecel (905 858 8681) and he said that we can sub the motion detectors for glass break sensors. We are also going to get our smoke detectors hooked into the alarm.

My only concern is how to get hold of them before they do the work to remind them of the changes.

My question is after the 3 years at $35 per month, will the price go up or will it remain the same?

The price should actually go down, since monitoring fees alone from a company average about $10/month.

But they will probably try and renew you at the same rate, because after all, the security system was 'free'

The quotes I got from a few companies were all in the 300/year range for a DSE power 832. Plus the cost of the hardware. All had free installation.

Mecel does not have a website but the company that does the monitoring does: http://www.voxcom.com/

Its $25 a month, not $35, so no, you're not wrong.

And, it can't go up - its a CONTRACT!

We signed it saying it was $25/month for 3 years - so that's what it will be for those 3 years - after that, everyone can nagociate how they wish.

But, you should be safe at $25 for the first 3 years!

Laurie & Dave

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I'm sure that there will be a fee for the smoke detector that hooks into the alarm system. I googled the alarm system and found this page with US prices http://www.aesecurity.com/dsc832.htm So at least we know a ballpark price.

We've just signed in for phase 12 and they told us $35 a month for 3 years...

If you just signed for phase 12 and signed for $35 a month for 3 years, then they have obviously raised the prices on the alarm system aswell!!

Thats good news for all of us who waited in line and bought the first day!

We signed ours at $25 a month for 3 years - I imagine since they raised the prices of every house anywhere from $10000 and more after the opening, then they've done that for the alarm systems aswell (since it seems like most of us took the alarm).

Guess thats how it goes - they raise the house prices, and everything that goes with it!!

Laurie & Dave

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Glad we locked in at $25/month. Unless the alarm company errored in their pricing and raised it accordingly.

Tim

We didn't wait in line, or buy on the first day and we pay $25/month. Maybe other factors are going into the pricing. Either way I wouldn’t pay more then 25/month, especially knowing that there are people a few streets away that are paying this price.