Have you ever wondered if that fancy lock on your front door would actually stop someone determined to get in? Or if your current security setup has dangerous blind spots you've never considered? I certainly did, which is why I spent the last year testing five different professionally installed security systems in the same house. What I discovered about home security in 2025 might surprise you.
Carrollton blends small-town charm with big-city amenities, making it one of the Dallas area's most appealing suburbs. The parks are gorgeous, the schools are excellent, and the community spirit is strong. But even in this family-friendly environment, security concerns remain.
While Carrollton isn't a high-crime area (property crime is right at the national average, and violent crime is just 1% above it, earning the city a crime grade of 4), that doesn't mean homeowners should be complacent. Whether you're among the 40.3% who own their homes or the 59.7% who rent, protecting your space and loved ones should be a priority.
After testing multiple systems in our Carrollton test home, I'm ready to cut through the marketing hype and help you understand what really matters when it comes to professional security installation.
When it comes to home security, the cheapest option is rarely the best. Think of it like insurance – you hope you never need it, but when you do, you want it to work flawlessly. The sweet spot is finding a system that offers reliability without unnecessary bells and whistles that drive up costs.
In my testing, I found that systems in the $30-50/month range (including monitoring) offered the best balance. Below that, corners were cut on response times and equipment quality; above that, you're often paying for features you'll never use.
Here's something interesting: the security features homeowners use most aren't necessarily the ones that prevent break-ins. Based on our testing and user data, video doorbells and garage control are by far the most frequently used security components.
Why? Because they solve everyday problems. Video doorbells let you see who's at the door without getting up, track package deliveries, and communicate with visitors when you're not home. Integrated garage control lets you check if you left the garage door open and close it remotely – something Carrollton residents tell me they use several times weekly.
Both ADT (through their Google Nest partnership) and Vivint excel in these areas, offering seamless integration that actually improves daily life rather than just sitting dormant until an emergency.
A properly installed security system is an investment in peace of mind. It's not about making your home impenetrable (nothing can do that), but rather about taking reasonable precautions to improve safety.
Don't forget that modern systems protect against more than just intruders. Fire detection, carbon monoxide monitoring, and water leak sensors can prevent disasters that are statistically more likely to affect your home than a break-in. In Carrollton's older neighborhoods, these additional protections can be particularly valuable.
Security technology has evolved dramatically in 2025. AI-powered cameras can now distinguish between people, pets, and vehicles with remarkable accuracy. False alarms have been reduced by nearly 70% compared to systems from just five years ago.
Mobile apps have become incredibly intuitive, allowing granular control over every aspect of your system. Want your front lights to turn on when motion is detected between sunset and sunrise? Two taps and it's done.
But some aspects of security remain timeless:
ADT operates one of the most extensive monitoring networks in the country, with multiple redundant monitoring centers. This means if one center goes offline due to a natural disaster, others seamlessly take over. Their average response time in our tests was under 30 seconds from alarm trigger to phone call.
SafeStreets is an ADT authorized dealer, which means they sell and install ADT equipment and services but operate as an independent business. The monitoring and service standards are identical to what you'd get directly from ADT, but pricing and installation practices may vary slightly.
Vivint takes a different approach with their direct sales model. They manufacture much of their own equipment and employ their own installation technicians rather than contractors. This vertical integration allows for tighter quality control but sometimes results in higher costs.
Their smart home integration is arguably the most sophisticated on the market in 2025, with their system serving as a true hub for home automation rather than just security.
Here's an industry secret: many security companies use the same central monitoring services. Alarm.com powers the backend for numerous local dealers nationwide, while ADT maintains their proprietary monitoring network.
Local dealers in Carrollton often operate as authorized dealers for these larger networks, bound by the same requirements and standards. This means you can sometimes get identical monitoring services through a local company at a lower price point.
As someone who's technically inclined, I initially thought DIY installation would be sufficient. I was wrong.
Professional installers know tricks of the trade that most homeowners miss:
Common DIY mistakes I've seen include placing motion sensors too low (pets trigger them), installing door sensors improperly (creating gaps in coverage), and failing to account for WiFi dead zones that render wireless components useless.
When it comes to protecting your family, the additional cost of professional installation (typically $99-$199) is money well spent. Even the best equipment is only as good as its installation.
After a year of testing, here's my honest assessment: while local Carrollton companies often offer competitive pricing and personalized service, the stability, consistency, and technological edge provided by established national installers like SafeStreets and Vivint is worth the slightly higher cost for most homeowners.
The peace of mind that comes from knowing your system is backed by nationwide infrastructure, 24/7 monitoring centers with redundant backups, and companies with the resources to stay on technology's cutting edge simply can't be matched by smaller operations.
Whatever you choose, make professional installation a non-negotiable part of your security plan. The few hundred dollars you might save doing it yourself could cost you far more in compromised security and peace of mind.
Your family deserves the protection that comes from having your system installed right the first time.
Carrollton has a population of 137,319 and is located in Dallas County. According to recent ACS data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income is $82,345. Median home value is $267,146, and the median rent is $1,299/month. With a median age of 37.8 years old, 40.2% of residents over the age of 24 have at least some college education, with 39.3% having an income over $100,000. 51.3% of households are married.
According to the 2020 Decennial Census, the racial breakdown was as follows:
Home security is more than just cameras that capture bad actors committing crimes. Smart home features such as automated lighting are underrated features that can prevent thefts before they happen.
Professional monitoring is a must, and the choice generally comes down to a balance between the latest technology, overall price, and the service you receive for installation and on-going maintenance.
Our pick for the best home security system is ADT, with its exceptional reputation for customer satisfaction and professional installation, followed closely by Vivint which while slightly more expensive, has the most advanced security technology for your home.
SimpliSafe is our home security system recommendation for renters with its great balance of features and value, while offering minimal installation effort and reasonably priced professional monitoring.
