Have you ever wondered if that quick jiggle of your front door handle would be enough to keep out someone who really wanted to get in? I did too, 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 shock you.
Richardson, Texas has long been known for its excellent schools, beautiful parks, and thriving tech corridor. It's a wonderful place to call home, with tree-lined streets and friendly neighborhoods that make it feel like a perfect slice of suburban paradise.
But even in this relatively safe community, security concerns remain. While Richardson enjoys violent crime rates 67% lower than the national average, property crimes remain on par with national statistics. This reality means that home security isn't just a luxury—it's a necessity for both the homeowners and the 56.3% of residents who rent in the area.
After testing multiple security systems in our Richardson test home, I'm ready to cut through the marketing hype and give you the straight facts about what actually works to keep your home safe in 2025.
When it comes to home security, the cheapest option is rarely the best. However, the most expensive isn't automatically superior either. What matters is finding that sweet spot where reliability meets reasonable cost.
In our testing, we found that systems in the $30-50 monthly monitoring range offered the best balance. Below that price point, you often sacrifice crucial features or reliability; above it, you're paying for bells and whistles that don't meaningfully improve security.
Interestingly, the security features homeowners end up using most aren't always the ones that directly prevent break-ins. Based on our extensive testing, these two features consistently proved most valuable:
Both ADT (through their Google Nest partnership) and Vivint excel in these areas, offering seamless integration that actually enhances your daily life rather than complicating it.
Security isn't just about preventing break-ins—it's about creating a comprehensive safety net for your home. This includes fire detection, carbon monoxide monitoring, and water leak detection. The most effective systems we tested offered all these protections in one integrated package, giving Richardson homeowners true peace of mind.
The security landscape has evolved dramatically in recent years. In 2025, we're seeing:
However, some security principles remain timeless:
ADT operates six monitoring centers across North America, ensuring redundancy if one center experiences issues. They employ thousands of trained monitoring professionals who respond to alerts 24/7.
SafeStreets is an ADT authorized dealer, which means they sell and install ADT equipment and services, but don't handle the monitoring themselves. Think of it like buying a Toyota from a local dealership—you get the manufacturer's product and warranty, but through a local business.
Vivint takes a different approach, operating as both manufacturer and service provider. They design their own equipment, employ their installation technicians, and run their monitoring centers. This vertical integration allows for tighter control over the customer experience but sometimes at a premium price point.
Here's something most companies won't tell you: many local security dealers use the same central monitoring services. Alarm.com provides the backend monitoring platform for numerous local and regional companies, while ADT maintains its proprietary monitoring network.
This means that the actual response to an alarm may be nearly identical whether you choose a national brand or local provider—the difference often comes down to equipment quality and installation expertise.
After watching professional installers work and attempting DIY installations ourselves, I can confidently say that professional installation is worth every penny, even for tech-savvy homeowners.
Professional installers know crucial details that DIYers miss:
In our testing, we identified these frequent DIY errors:
When it comes to protecting your family, this isn't the place to cut corners or learn by trial and error.
Based on our extensive testing and research, here are the best security system installers serving Richardson in 2025:
Richardson currently enjoys a crime grade of 8.5 out of 10, with violent crime rates 67% lower than the national average. Property crime rates, however, remain on par with national statistics.
This means Richardson residents should be particularly vigilant about protecting against burglary, package theft, and vehicle break-ins—the most common property crimes in the area. Both homeowners and the 56.3% of residents who rent benefit from proper security measures.
While local companies often advertise lower prices, our testing revealed that national installers like SafeStreets and Vivint offer advantages that typically justify their slightly higher costs:
For most Richardson homeowners, the peace of mind that comes with these benefits is worth the modest premium over local providers.
Don't leave your family's safety to chance or cut corners with DIY installation. Contact a professional security installer today and get the protection your Richardson home deserves.
Richardson has a population of 118,583 and is located in Dallas County. According to recent ACS data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income is $85,350. Median home value is $295,327, and the median rent is $1,452/month. With a median age of 35.1 years old, 53.4% of residents over the age of 24 have at least some college education, with 41.7% having an income over $100,000. 50.5% 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.
