How Much Does A House Alarm Cost? Your Burglar Alarm Price Comparison Tool
- Holly Stuart
- Sep 17
- 5 min read
The simple answer: the average UK house alarm costs around £562 (2024), but prices vary widely - as does quality. DIY kits can be under £200, while professional installs range from £750–£1,200. Ongoing monitoring adds £8–£50 per month. But costs vary, so here’s how to compare prices and find the best value for your home security system.
Key Facts – House Alarm Costs
DIY kits: from £159 (self-install, limited cover)
National brands: £279–£1,140 + contracts
Local firms: £750–£1,200 installed, often no tie-ins
Monitoring: £8–£50 monthly depending on provider
With 40 years experience in security, let us guide you on costs, features and what you really pay for when choosing a burglar alarm system for your home.
How much does a house alarm cost in the UK?
The cost of a burglar alarm depends on three things: the type of system, how it’s installed, and whether you add smart features like app control or cameras. At Midland Alarm Services, our packages always includes a proper visible bell box, professional installation, and the option to add extras like perimeter sensors or app monitoring - without hidden contracts.
DIY alarms – Cheap upfront (from £159) but limited cover and usually self-monitored.
National brands – Mid-range kit but often bundled with contracts and high monthly fees.
Local security firms – Tailored installs (£750–£1,200) with visible deterrents and optional monitoring.
According to CrimeRate.co.uk (2024), the average house alarm cost is £562 in the UK.
Which is cheaper: DIY, national brands, or local alarm companies?
Here’s a breakdown of burglar alarm costs by different providers.
Provider / Option | Upfront Cost | Monthly Fees | Contract | Key Notes |
DIY (Ring, Yell) | £159 – £509 (Ring) / £300–£400 (Yell) | £0–£8 (self-monitoring) | None | Cheap, but limited cover & no installer support |
ADT | £800 – £1,140 | £30–£50 | 36 months | Professional kit but expensive contracts |
Verisure | From £279 (not owned by customer) | ~£47 | Long contract, cancellation fees | Includes smoke-fill add-ons but lacks external sirens |
SimpliSafe | £159 – £519 (+install if pro) | £12.99–£19.99 | None | Flexible, but often needs add-ons |
Midland Alarm Services (MAS) | £750 – £1,200 (Pro Protect £999) | £12.95 (basic app) / £21.95 (full plan) | None | Tailored install, visible deterrents, personal service |
Of course, it’s not just about the numbers on paper. The real value comes down to what you get for your money and how each option fits your home and lifestyle.
What are the pros and cons of each alarm option?
Every type of alarm system has its strengths and trade-offs. Here’s a quick look at the main pros and cons to help you decide which route makes sense for you.
Option | ✅ Pros | ⚠️ Cons |
DIY Kits | Cheapest upfront, flexible install | Limited cover, no bell box unless added, self-install required |
National Brands | Professional kit, monitoring included | Hidden costs, long contracts, high monthly fees |
Local Companies (MAS) | Tailored survey, visible deterrents, no contracts | Higher upfront cost vs DIY |
When you weigh it up, DIY saves money upfront, but local companies like MAS give you visible deterrents, tailored protection and no long contracts - making them the smarter long-term choice for most Midlands homes.
Will paying for different features be worth it?
Comparison – National Brands vs MAS Price isn’t the only factor - the features you get with each alarm system can make all the difference. Here’s how the big national brands compare with a tailored system from Midland Alarm Services
Feature | ADT | Verisure | SimpliSafe | MAS (HKC) |
Visible Bell Box / Siren | Sometimes optional | ❌ No | ❌ Add-on | ✅ Included |
App Control | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (SecureComm) |
Perimeter Protection | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Camera PIR (Image Verification) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Contract Required | ✅ 36 months | ✅ Long-term | ❌ None | ❌ None |
Customer Service | Call centre | Call centre | Online-only | Local, personal support with Leila our office manager |
Do visible burglar alarms really deter intruders?
Yes. Homes with a visible bell box are 75% less likely to be burgled (ONS, 2024). A flashing siren signals protection before an intruder even tries the door.
External sirens attract neighbour attention.
Clear signage makes burglars move on.
Visible deterrents protect the whole street, not just your home.
At MAS, every system includes a proper bell box as standard - not an optional add-on.
Is a burglar alarm worth the cost in the long run?
Replacing stolen items, fixing damage and dealing with the stress of a break-in often costs far more than an alarm ever will. Insurance premiums often drop when you can show you have a maintained alarm system.
Provider / Option | Upfront Cost | Monthly Fees | 5-Year Total | Notes |
DIY (Ring) | £365 (avg) | £8 | £845 | Cheapest, but limited deterrent & coverage |
ADT | £970 (avg) | £40 | £3,370 | High long-term spend, locked into 36-month contract |
Verisure | £279 | £47 | £3,099 | Equipment not owned, heavy cancellation fees |
SimpliSafe | £339 (avg + add-ons) | £16.49 (avg) | £1,328 | Flexible, no contracts, but often needs extras |
Midland Alarm Services (MAS) | £999 (Pro Protect system) | £21.95 (full plan) Cheaper options available. | £2,316 | Tailored install, no contracts, full service + deterrents |
Think of it this way:
5-year total with MAS: £2,316 (Pro Protect system with full service plan).
5-year total with Verisure: £3,099.
5-year total with ADT: £3,370.
Peace of mind and lower long-term spend? That’s why more Midlands homeowners choose local firms over national brands. Real story, real security
“We received a very competitive quote and booked a new install date. The job was completed quickly and the engineer explained the system clearly.”
– Ken Hollis, Stourbridge
Which features increase the price of an alarm system?
Extra features add cost, but also real security value:
Perimeter shock sensors – detect forced entry early - ie STOPS the burglar BEFORE they get in!
Camera PIRs – send instant images to your phone.
App connectivity – full control in your pocket.
Outbuilding coverage – garages and sheds protected.
MAS installs HKC wireless alarms with all of these as options, without locking you into unnecessary extras.
Will my pets set off the alarm?
Not with the right setup. Pet-tolerant PIRs are designed to ignore cats and dogs but still trigger if a human intruder enters. Our engineers fit the sensors at the correct height and angle so false alarms are avoided.
Do I need to sign a long-term contract?
Not with Midland Alarm Services. Unlike ADT or Verisure, we never tie you into multi-year monitoring deals. Our app-based remote monitoring starts at £12.95/month, rolling - cancel anytime.
What’s the best value: DIY, national brands, or local companies?
It depends on what you value most:
DIY: lowest upfront, but limited cover and no external deterrent.
National brands: professional kit, but hidden contracts and high monthly fees. Also, depending on the provider - check that YOU own the kit! With some, if you cancel your contract, you no longer own the alarm system and they will either want it back or you'll be expected to pay a lump sum for it.
Local firms like MAS: tailored coverage, visible deterrents, personal service, optional monitoring only if you want it.
For most Midlands homeowners, local companies strike the best balance between cost, cover and peace of mind. What next?
Don’t wait until after a break-in to think about security. With over 40 years protecting Midlands homes, we’ll design an alarm system that suits your family, without long contracts.
📞 Call 02476 403527 or book your free security survey in 60 seconds.
Real story, real security “We received a very competitive quote and booked a new install date. The job was completed quickly and the engineer explained the system clearly.”
– Ken Hollis, Stourbridge