Overheard a homebuilder say alarm wires are 'just decoration'

I was at a supply house last week and heard a homebuilder tell his buddy that alarm wires in new builds are basically decoration since nobody monitors them anyway. He said about 70% of the homes he builds never even get sensors connected to the panels. It got me thinking how many installers are putting in systems that just look the part without ever getting activated. Has anyone else noticed this trend of 'dummy' systems going in just to check a box?

3 comments

3 Comments

kai_webb9112d ago

That 70% number actually makes a lot of sense now that I think about it. I always assumed those panels were getting connected but this totally changed my mind.

lily5712d ago

Oh, I'm not sure that's totally right though.

ivanbell12d ago

Yeah my buddy bought a new house and the alarm panel was just glued to the wall with no wires behind it.