Diversified Alarm Services: Who Are They?
Diversified Alarm Services is a small, regional alarm dealer operating primarily in the northeastern United States. Like hundreds of similar local providers, they offer traditional professionally installed security — intrusion detection, fire alarms, camera systems, and access control — typically through long-term monitoring contracts.
| Detail | Diversified Alarm Services |
|---|---|
| Type | Regional alarm dealer |
| Coverage | Northeastern US (limited area) |
| Services | Intrusion detection, fire, cameras, access control |
| Installation | Professional only (technician visit required) |
| Contracts | Typically 36-60 months |
| Monthly Cost | $35-55/month (estimated) |
| Equipment | Honeywell/DSC panels, Alarm.com platform (typical) |
| Online Presence | Minimal — limited reviews, basic website |
The Regional Dealer Model Problem
Diversified Alarm follows the same business model as thousands of small alarm companies across America. Understanding this model is crucial before signing anything:
| What They Promise | The Reality | DIY Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| “Free” professional installation | Cost baked into 36-60 month contract at $35-55/month | Self-install in 30 minutes, save $1,260-3,300 |
| “Free” or “discounted” equipment | You don’t own it until contract ends; early termination means returning equipment or paying full price | Own your equipment outright from day one |
| Local, personal service | Monitoring is outsourced to the same central stations as national companies | Same UL-listed monitoring for $6-20/month |
| Expert security consultation | Sales-driven recommendations to maximize monthly recurring revenue | Online guides + community forums = better advice |
| Established local business | Small companies get acquired or shut down frequently — your contract transfers to whoever buys them | No contract = no transfer risk |
The Hidden Costs of Regional Dealers
| Cost Item | Regional Dealer (Diversified) | DIY System (Abode) |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | “Free” (you don’t own it) | $199-$350 (you own it) |
| Installation | “Free” (baked into monthly) | Free (self-install, 30 min) |
| Monthly monitoring | $35-55/month | $0-20/month |
| Contract term | 36-60 months | None (month-to-month) |
| Early termination fee | 75-100% of remaining contract | $0 |
| 3-year total cost | $1,260-$1,980 | $199-$919 |
| Moving? | New install fee or restart contract | Unplug, take with you, replug |
5 Red Flags With Any Small Regional Dealer
| Red Flag | Why It Matters | What to Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
| 1. No online reviews | You can’t verify quality or customer experience — trust is blind | Choose a system with thousands of verified reviews |
| 2. Long contracts required | 3-5 years is an eternity; your needs will change | Go month-to-month with Abode |
| 3. “Free” installation pitch | Nothing is free — it’s amortized into your monthly payment | Self-install saves $500-$1,500 over the contract |
| 4. Equipment you don’t own | Leave early = return equipment or pay full price | Buy your equipment outright ($199-$350) |
| 5. Acquisition risk | Small companies get bought constantly — your contract transfers to whoever acquires them (often Brinks or ADT) | No contract = no transfer risk |
Better Alternatives to Diversified Alarm Services
| System | Hardware | Monthly | Contract | 3-Year Cost | Why Choose It |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abode ⭐ | $199 | $0-20 | None | $199-$919 | Only HomeKit system, Z-Wave/Zigbee hub, geofencing, best free tier |
| Ring Alarm | $199 | $0-20 | None | $199-$919 | Amazon ecosystem, huge camera lineup, Neighbors app |
| SimpliSafe | $199-$460 | $0-28 | None | $199-$1,468 | Fast Protect monitoring, easy setup |
| Alarm Grid | Varies | $20-35 | None | $720-$1,260+ | If you already have a Honeywell/DSC panel and want cheap monitoring |
Already Under Contract With a Regional Dealer?
| Your Situation | Best Move | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Contract ending soon (<6 months) | Wait it out, then switch to DIY | Don’t auto-renew — send cancellation notice 30-60 days before end date |
| Mid-contract (1-2 years left) | Calculate ETF vs. savings | If ETF < savings from switching to $0-20/month DIY, pay the fee and switch |
| Just signed (<3 days) | Cancel immediately | FTC Cooling-Off Rule gives you 3 days for door-to-door sales |
| Moving | Many contracts allow cancellation for relocation | Check your contract for military/relocation clauses — see our cancellation guide |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Diversified Alarm Services a good company?
It’s hard to say definitively — they have minimal online reviews and a limited web presence, which makes it difficult to evaluate customer satisfaction. The bigger question is whether any regional alarm dealer with long contracts and “free” equipment offers good value compared to modern DIY systems that cost far less. In almost every case, Abode, Ring, or SimpliSafe will give you better security at 50-70% lower cost.
What equipment does Diversified Alarm use?
Most regional dealers install Honeywell (Resideo) or DSC panels with Alarm.com for the app platform. This is decent equipment — but you’re paying a massive markup through monthly fees. The same Alarm.com service is available through Alarm Grid for $20-35/month without a contract.
Can I keep my equipment if I cancel?
Depends on your contract. Many dealers retain ownership of “free” equipment until the contract ends. Read the fine print — if you’re paying $40/month for 5 years ($2,400 total), you’ve paid for that equipment many times over. After your contract, consider switching to Alarm Relay ($10/month) or getting a modern DIY system.
How do I cancel my Diversified Alarm contract?
Review your contract for the cancellation terms — specifically the early termination fee (ETF), notice period (usually 30-60 days before renewal), and auto-renewal clause. Send written cancellation via certified mail. See our complete guide to cancelling home security contracts.
What’s the cheapest way to replace a regional dealer?
Abode offers free self-monitoring with their $199 Smart Security Kit — that’s $0/month after the initial purchase. For professional monitoring, Abode charges just $6-20/month with no contract. Over 3 years, you’d save $1,000-1,800 compared to a typical regional dealer contract.
Should I use a local company or a national DIY brand?
Local companies once had advantages (personal service, local knowledge), but modern DIY systems have eliminated those gaps. Today’s DIY systems offer professional monitoring from UL-listed central stations, 24/7 phone support, and self-install that takes 30 minutes. The only scenario where a local company makes sense is large commercial properties that need custom access control and fire systems.
William is a tech buff and former corporate security officer turned cybercrime analyst. Computers have few secrets left for him, but home security and alarm systems… Well, those have plenty of secrets for their users, which William is now uncovering and explaining. His articles on home security helped many people take the matter seriously, invest in highly performing systems, and avoid becoming victims of burglaries.
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