Elk and monitored services?

[wkearney99]

We're building a new house and I'm wondering about using an Elk along with a monitored alarm service. 
 
The alarm guy has quoted me $4k to put in a GE Concord setup and use an alarm.com gateway.  I don't know squat about alarms but know it's worth adding one during a new build if just to save on wiring hassles.  It was a middle-of-road setup, with 2 keypads, 3 smoke, 1 heat (workshop), 1 motion (2nd floor hall), 1 water sensor (laundry) and a 8 window break sensors in various useful places.  I'm ok with sensor scheme, but wonder about the Concord setup and the alarm.com gateway.  I think most of the sensors are wireless save for the heat and door sensors.
 
Additionally the house lighting is Lutron Radio RA2.  I'd like to entertain ideas of integrating with that in the future.  
 
So, what're my options for using an Elk setup with a monitored alarm service?  And who would be a decent local installer to handle it near DC?
 

 

[electron]

Most decent monitoring services support the ELK M1 or HAI Omni Pro II, so that shouldn't be an issue.  If you are going with Lutron RA2, then it would be a shame NOT to get a system which can integrate with RA2.

 

[FloridaMike]

If you are still in the process of building I personally would run wires to every door and window (4 wire 22 gauge I think is the way to wire up sensors), every location you might put a glass break or motion sensor, cat6 to all locations for security cameras, cat6 to all high speed low latency internet/network connections. Wireless works (I have this) but wired is probably quicker and more reliable. I wish my home was pre-wired but it was not.

Personally I am still working out the details on monitoring....found some options but trying to find the cheapest solution.

 

[wkearney99]

Most decent monitoring services support the ELK M1 or HAI Omni Pro II, so that shouldn't be an issue.  If you are going with Lutron RA2, then it would be a shame NOT to get a system which can integrate with RA2.

Yes, I agree getting one that can integrate is a good plan.  
 
Where can I find more (honest) info about how an Elk would integrate with a service?  

 

[wkearney99]

Given the expense of these windows I have no plans to installed hard wired sensors in them.  It's just not worth the hassles with the warranty.  Yes, it 'can' be done but I won't be having that.

 

[Neurorad]

Are you asking about monitoring details?
 
If you want the alarm system monitored by a monitoring company, using POTS, then you are forced to use a local installer.  $4K seems like a lot, call around.  Most every sensor, or all, should be wired, with new construction.  No wireless.  When is the last time someone collected on a window warranty?  Leaking around a window is an installation problem, and you're not getting any real warranty with that, from the builder.  But, I understand about wanting to keep warranties valid.  It's a trade off - replacing batteries every 5 years, or a warranty that will never be honored.
 
Many metropolitan areas have $10/month monitoring companies, call around.  The service isn't necessarily top notch, but I've been happy with cheap monitoring.
 
For internet monitoring, search here at CT for alarm.com.
 
Ideally, you will pay an alarm company to install the alarm, without monitoring.  Then, you sign up with another company for monitoring.  If the installer also provides monitoring, at $40/mo, he'll give you a $1K discount, but you sign a 3 year contract.  Either way, you're paying a similar amount.  If you go with a 3 year monitoring contract, read the fine print.  The installer and/or monitoring company requires termination at 3 years in writing, or you're automatically signed up for another 3 years.  
 
Contact Elk to find an Elk installer.  As of 2 years ago, they'll redirect you to a local distributor for recs.  Not sure if Elk is tracking installers now, or not.
 
I used google maps to search Bethesda for Elk Alarm, and I found a place called Add Security - http://www.addsecurity.net/testimonials.html. Don't know anything about them, they might be felons, but you could check them out.

 

[Neurorad]

When I needed a pro alarm installer for a service call, I checked my state's alarm society executive board, to find a reputable company.

 

[Neurorad]

Since many alarm companies don't advertise their alarm brands online, you may just need to make a list and start calling around, to find an Elk installer.

 

[Neurorad]

Alarmax.com is an alarm distributor in Bethesda.  They carry Elk products, and may be able to suggest an alarm company.

 

[Neurorad]

Back to your alarm monitoring question...the local alarm company signs up homeowners for the regional monitoring company, and collects a cut.

 

[wkearney99]

Since many alarm companies don't advertise their alarm brands online, you may just need to make a list and start calling around, to find an Elk installer.

 
Yeah, like I have the time for that.  I may just go with the concord setup for now and add/change it later.  
 
I'll likely have the Elk in addition to it from the start as I want to have some better integration/control over some exterior motion sensors and how they trigger the RA2 lighting.

 

[electron]

Unless I missed something, plenty of companies will monitor an alarm panel, even if it wasn't installed by a professional.  I believe the alarm company has to support CP-01 (but might be wrong on the protocol name, hopefully professionals can chime in here).

 

[Neurorad]

Just make sure you don't sign up for monitoring, with a contract, through the local installer, if you want to make changes to the alarm system yourself within the next 3 years.
 
Pick a good spot for the wiring closet.  
 
You'll be paying a lot for the interim alarm system that you may ditch soon, with many pricey wireless window sensors.  If you can go with Elk now, you'll use the Elk wireless sensors.  Find a local Elk dealer.  You say you contacted them - online form, Find a Local Dealer?  
 
You also would need to come to an agreement with the alarm installer up front.  When he's done installing, it's your system, not his.  Some installers don't like this, for alarms, but just remind him you'll be paying top dollar for future service calls (in reality, there won't be any, theoretically).

 

[Neurorad]

By alarm company, electron, do you mean the alarm panel?  Is the Elk M1 CP-01 compatible?
 
Edit - yep, google shows that the Elk M1 meets the SIA CP-01 standard.

 

[Neurorad]

Elk rep contact info available on the Elk website.
 
Edited for content.