Consumer Information
For Your Protection
The business of selling residential alarm systems is very competitive and customers are aggressively sought by many companies through a variety of methods and means. There is a difference between good salesmanship and fraud, and you need to be aware of the difference. Those who are preyed upon are often the elderly, non-English speakers and those who have recently purchased a home.

Be cautious of any UNSOLICITED sales contact. Verify all information before you authorize any new work or changes. By capitalizing on large numbers of college students seeking summer employment, out-of-state unlicensed alarm companies often send teams of salespeople to cities. Most teams work on commission, incentives and contests. As they speak to homeowners they keep the pressure on in order make the sale. While licensed alarm representatives will complete the process ethically and responsibly, these representatives will not. ALL alarm companies doing business in New Jersey  are required to be licensed.  Choose a company that is up-to-date on all their licensing.

Be an Educated Consumer
In order to be an informed consumer you need to understand the different components of a system. The best systems professional will help you determine what components you need to serve your home or business. Your systems professional should discuss what options fit your home and/or business and lifestyle, for instance, do you have small children, pets, are you away from your home for long periods of time, do you have expensive items such as jewelry you want to protect. All of these things may factor in to determine which system is best for you. You may decide to install a system for a specific purpose but keep in mind in you can link other devices into your system such as security, fire, entertainment, controlled heating and lighting, and carbon monoxide detection. There can also be cost savings to combine these features versus installing them at a later date. It all depends on what you want and what suits you best. The best systems professional will customize your system for your needs!

Why Use an NJELSA Member?

NJELSA members make the best business partners. NJELSA membership is voluntary, no company is required to join our association. The most reputable companies in the industry belong to NJELSA. We believe that the willingness of our members to seek out educational opportunities in order to better train their employees, submission to our Code of Ethics, and their commitment to cooperate with the association in resolving questions or complaints from consumers, demonstrates their desire to do business professionally and ethically. We strongly suggest that all New Jersey consumers include NJELSA members in their comparative shopping. We believe this will lead consumers to the right system at a fair price, combined with the best possible service. We sincerely believe that you will receive a better mix of price and quality by doing business with a NJELSA member company. If not, we are here to help resolve any issue that might occur when doing business with our members.

Click here to search for an NJELSA member

All NJ Alarm Companies Must Be Licensed

To check to see if a company is licensed
Click Here
To report an unlicensed company
Click Here
DIY vs. Professionals

Before you decide to install an electronic system yourself consider these factors:

 

Are you aware of all the codes and standards that govern how your system is installed and operated?

Are you aware of all of the options and features of the equipment you plan to install?

Do you hold the required license and have the ability to pull the permit?

Have you considered the value of your time to learn about and install the system in calculating the cost of your do it yourself installation?

Is the equipment you have access to at retail outlets of equal quality to the professional grade equipment?

Do you own all the tools you will need to install, test and calibrate the equipment you plan to use?

Will your insurance policies cover you if you are injured or do damage to your property during the installation?

Does the company you bought the equipment from provide sufficient help in the event something goes wrong during the installation?

Does your insurance company require a certificate of installation to receive a discount on your insurance?

Who are you going to get the system monitored by? Is the central station UL listed?