Professional Installation vs. Do It Yourself

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?
• 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?

Why Take a Chance?  Use a Licensed Professional

The State Fire Marshal’s Office – Mississippi Electronic Protection Division regulates the industry, ensures the professionals we represent follow industry regulation and hire licensed employees in order to protect the public and the work performed.

We strive for perfection therefore we only recommend licensed burglar and fire alarm professionals.

We welcome your assistance in strive for this same level of excellence. Any violations should be reported to the Mississippi Electronic Protection Division ​

Use an MSA Member

Mississippi Security Association (MSA) members install, service, and monitor intrusion, fire, and supervisory detection systems (both residential and commercial) in accordance with Mississippi licensing regulations and The National Electrical Code. Expanded services can include integrated structured wired systems for closed circuit television, telephone/intercom, home theater, access control, nurse call and computer wiring.

Trust us with your family, your home and/or your business.

As licensed burglar and fire alarm professionals, we feel strongly that our industry should be transparent. You, our customer, should have a reliable source for helping you choose professionals to secure your home or business.  The Mississippi Security Association (MSA) membership strives to bring you qualified and licensed professionals who make up our organization….professionals you can trust with helping you protect yourself, your family, home and business.

• Background Checks:  Our members strive to be the best in the industry they can be.  They are a trusted source when it comes to helping you protect your assets.  We are proud that our members are free of felony records and have earned the trust of the state.
• Training:  To insure the alarm professionals are competent to perform the work you desire, MSA provides quality training and education to its members, their employees and the industry as a whole.
• Industry Regulation:  The State Fire Marshal’s Office – Mississippi Electronic Protection Division regulates the industry, ensures the professionals we represent follow industry regulation and hire licensed employees in order to protect the public and the work performed.

We are proud to promote our members on this site.  This link provides access to our members and their websites.  Please feel free to contact us for any reason, regarding any of our members and the services they performed.  We strive for perfection therefore we only recommend licensed burglar and fire alarm professionals.  We welcome your assistance in strive for this same level of excellence.  Any violations should be reported to the Mississippi Electronic Protection Division 

Contact Several Companies

It pays to have options​

• Ask them if their employees are trained and/or certified by a state association.
• Ask the companies if they conduct any pre-employment screening.

After you’ve narrowed the field to three or four alarm companies, ask for the name of the  person who will call on you. It is best to plan the appointment time when all those involved in the decision are present.

When he/she visits, ask to see some company identification.

Ask for a Written Proposal

Ask each alarm company representative for an inspection, recommendation and a quote in writing.

They should do a survey of your site to make sure the system they propose will meet your needs.

Use a checklist to compare different packages and price quotes.

Research Your Options

Contact your local law enforcement Crime Prevention Department, state licensing agencies,  Consumer Protection Agencies, and the Better Business Bureau.

Look at there ratings, verify that they are licensed and registered in your sate and local area.

Ask if there are unresolved complaints.

Beware of Door to Door Salespeople

If you are home during the day, you are more likely to meet door-to-door salespersons. While some door-to-door salespersons are honest, the chances are excellent that whoever answers the door is about to be ripped off. Door-to-door con artists are charming and friendly. Their smiles are inviting. They are successful because they seem so honest. Door-to-door con artists often:

• Greet you by name to seem friendly. (They may have seen your name on your mail or in a city directory.)
• Use tricks to get into your home. They might imply they are from your alarm company and need to test or upgrade your system. Don’t let a creative story relax your caution on whom you let in your home.
• Offer a free upgrade or free system– Check the fine print you will pay for the system somehow.
• Pressure you to make a decision. They may say the offer is only good that day.

Local license often required A salesperson who visits your home may be required to have a peddlers, sales or solicitor’s license or permit. Check with the consumer protection office in your locality for more information. Consumers have registered many complaints

• Customer unwittingly agreed in contract to pay for fines charged to the unlicensed company and/or lengthy terms.
• Companies claim to represent the customer’s existing alarm company, and falsely tell the customer that they need an upgrade. After the customer signs, they become obligated to two companies for the same services.
• Companies claim to offer a “free” system when in reality customers are committing to an extended contract that has a built in fee for the equipment.
• Accounts are sold to another company preventing the customer from getting proper service