How Long Does Burglar Alarm Installation Take?
From the first detector to the final walk test and handover
Planning a new burglar alarm?
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Fault and fix guide
Most home burglar alarm installations are completed within a day, and wireless systems in smaller homes can be quicker still. Wired systems in larger houses, or alarms for business premises with many zones, take longer because cable has to be routed to every detector. The final stage, testing each detector and showing you how to use the system, is part of the job and should never be skipped.
The number of detectors, how easy it is to run cable, and whether an old system has to be removed first all affect the time. Replacing a panel on existing working wiring can be much quicker than a new install, while a large house with solid floors and no loft access takes more care.
We install burglar alarms across Kent and South East London. Here is what fills installation day and how to make sure it goes smoothly.
The Checks We Ask You to Run First
Clear access to key areas
Loft hatches, under stairs cupboards and the area where the panel will go should be accessible. It keeps the day moving.
Think about user codes
Decide who needs a code or fob and whether you want a night time part set. Having this ready speeds up programming.
Tell us about pets
Pets affect detector choice and positioning. Mentioning them in advance means the right detectors are on the van.
Keep the old alarm details
If you are replacing an alarm, note its make and any codes you have. It helps decide whether existing wiring and detectors can be reused.
Symptoms Worth Writing Down
Your Questions, Answered by Engineers
How Long Does Burglar Alarm Installation Take?: common questions
What Sits Behind the Fault
Wireless is usually quicker to fit
Wireless detectors need no cable runs, so they suit finished homes and smaller properties. Signal strength is checked at each position during setup.
Wired takes longer but lasts well
Running cable to each detector takes time, especially without loft or void access, but wired detectors do not need battery changes.
Reusing existing wiring saves time
Where the old wiring is sound, a new panel and detectors can often be connected to it, which shortens the job considerably.
Commissioning and walk test
Every detector, door contact and sounder is tested, zones are named and set routines are checked, so the system behaves correctly from the first night.
Handover
You are shown how to set, unset and part set the alarm, what the keypad messages mean, and how any app works. This avoids false alarms in the first weeks.
When DIY Ends and We Take Over
Keeping it from coming back
An alarm that is set up around your routine on day one will be used properly for years. Take time at the handover, ask questions, and book regular servicing so batteries and detectors stay reliable.
More Free Guides From Our Engineers
- Security System Survey: What to Expect
- Burglar Alarm Going Off For No Reason: Why
- How Orisec user codes work, what causes a lockout, and when an engineer reset is needed
- NVR No Signal on Monitor: Simple Checks Before Calling an Engineer
- CCTV Picture Blurry or Flickering: What to Check
- Two different faults, release failure and holding failure, and how to tell them apart
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