Alarm for an apartment: what to choose and how much does installation cost
1. Main types of apartment alarms
- Wired - a classic option with minimal delay in alarm transmission. Requires wall chasing, so it is often installed in new buildings before finishing.
- Wireless - sensors operate on the 868 MHz radio channel. Installation takes one day, but the batteries in the sensors will have to be changed every 3-5 years.
- GSM/4G - the panel calls the owner's phone and sends SMS, even if there is no Internet in the house.
- IP alarm - sends events via the Internet channel to the cloud server. Supports mobile applications with push notifications.
- Hybrid - combines wired and wireless loops, which is convenient for gradual expansion of the system.
2. Basic set composition
Even the simplest apartment needs the following minimum:
- Central (controller) with a backup battery for 12 hours.
- Entrance door opening sensor.
- Two IR motion sensors for a room and a corridor.
- 110 dB siren.
- Key fob or arming/disarming keypad.
3. Current prices for equipment (May 2025)
| System | Start Kit | Add. Motion Sensor | Cloud Subscription, Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajax StarterKit 2 | ≈ 8,900 UAH | 1,200 UAH | 0 (base tariff) |
| Dahua ARC2000H | ≈ 6,200 UAH | 950 UAH | 650 UAH |
| ReXant Guardian | ≈ 4 800 UAH | 700 UAH | — |
| Saturn GSM-Pro | ≈ 3 900 UAH | 650 UAH | — |
4. Cost of installation and commissioning
Professional installation includes laying the power cable to the control panel, setting up communication channels and instructing residents. In Odessa and the region in 2025, prices fluctuate as follows:
- Wireless kit 1-2 rooms — 2,000 - 2,500 UAH.
- Hybrid up to 8 security zones - 3,500 - 4,500 UAH.
- Integration with video surveillance and smart home - +10% to the estimate.
- Monthly monitoring by a private security company - 250 - 450 UAH/month.
5. Stages of turnkey installation
- Facility audit - assessment of penetration routes, selection of sensor locations (0.5 days).
- Project and approval - zone diagram, equipment list, estimate (0.5 days).
- Installation and configuration — fasteners, communication test, scenario setup (1 day).
- Connection to the security console (optional) — contract execution, system acceptance (0.5 days).
- User training — entering passwords, demonstrating applications (1 hour).
6. Common mistakes during self-installation
- Motion sensor opposite the window — false alarms due to glare.
- Ignoring tamper contacts: an intruder can quietly open the case.
- One communication channel. For reliability, you need a backup: GSM + Ethernet/Wi-Fi.
- No uninterruptible power supply to the router, which causes online access to disappear.
- A weak cloud account password is a risk of the system being disabled by a hacker.
7. How to choose a reliable contractor
Check for an MBC license, contracts with private security companies, and customer reviews. A reputable company provides a test report for each zone and a 24-month warranty. The response of technical support is important for maintenance - the response time is no more than 30 minutes.
An apartment alarm pays for itself less often than insurance, but it saves your nerves: when an alarm sounds, you receive a push notification, and the response team arrives in 5-7 minutes. Costs for a basic kit and installation start from 7,000 UAH, advanced solutions with video verification will cost 15-18 thousand UAH. Choose a system according to your layout, do not skimp on backup communication channels and entrust the setup to professionals - this is a guarantee that the protection will work at a critical moment.