Depending on where you live, there should be plenty of alarm companies. Find a smaller one that is local, call them up and talk to them telling them how you feel. They want to make money and want customers. The reason they want contracts is so they can guarantee a cash flow and subsidize the free system, free installation or whatever the case may be. Obviously to buy one will cost money, and to have someone install it will cost money. It’s like buying an unlocked cell phone, or a cell phone out of contract. It isn’t subsidized by that 2-year contract you sign, and will most likely be full price with a small mark-up.

So, if you call them up, explain it, have them come put in a basic system, the installation should cost, depending on a lot, $100-$200. The system itself will cost $300-$400 depending on their mark-up. So you are looking at about $400-$600 to have them install it and make it worth their basic time.

As for monitoring, there are places on the web that charge $10 or so for monitoring. Not sure I would place my hope in them. I have worked with Monitronics in the past and would trust them. But that is all up to you. If it is Monitronics, there are many dealerships and you can secure pretty cheap monitoring, especially since you would have a system already installed. If you bargain with them, you can get it down. Getting set up on a month to month contract is possible, they pay $5-$6 per month to have it monitored by Monitronics, and charge whatever they want. Obviously they are going to want to have you locked in, but if you find a nice one and explain to them your situation, it should work.

One thing I might add, if you aren’t under contract, the chance of you getting a free warranty on your system is going to be difficult, at least with Monitronics. The company wants to make it worth their time, and to them, that is signing people up on contracts.

Realize that going into it. Also, if you are worried about them messing up during the contract, make sure you get all your worries worked out, then sign the contract, it may save.

Do what is best for you, not them though.

I have five watch dogs. For are S & W’s and one is a Berretta. I kinda like my 357 and 12 ga. though they are all reliable and acurate with 2 inch groupings center mass

As far as a system, I am confident you can install one yourself but if you opt to have one installed, a contract is a good thing.
Typically they have a term, (the amount of time it covers) and what type of service is covered as well as what it covers in regards for property.

All you need to do is find a reputable company that will live up to your standards. Check with your insurance company as they may be able to provide helpful support …and a discount for your insured property.

Times are changing and like it or not, things are getting rougher and people will become more desperate to be compelled to do things they may not normally do…

If you have the funds, go for a system as a system is better than no system…

Laser beam death ray

# First, take your time shopping and researching.
# Security companies should earn your business and shouldn’t require you to sign a contract.
# Don’t sign a contract – ever.
# Don’t let a security company representative into your home unless you have first determined that the company won’t require a signed contract.
# If a security company wants to charge you more than $20 per month for monitoring, don’t do business with them and search for another company.
# Is the monitoring station UL approved? Is the station properly staffed and trained?
Gather price quotes from various companies for security and include smoke and fire monitoring.

Well, why not have a contract? You need to have some sort of monitoring service, so if you are going to have an alarm you might as well have a contract too.