How to build a home security system, step-by-step

Gone are the days of waiting around for someone to come round to hardwire in a burglar alarm, often waiting hours for it to be set up. With SimpliSafe home security, you can build a home security system online and set it up yourself in no time, once you have all your devices. All you need is a Wi-Fi connection. So let’s show you how to build a SimpliSafe home security system, step-by-step. 

1. Start with the basics

With a smart home security system like SimpliSafe, you can personalise your own system, adding to it as you go along. No matter what type of property you have or how many sensors you need, all our systems include a SimpliSafe Base Station, wireless SimpliSafe Keypad, and a home security camera. 

Base Station

This is the brains of the system and is built with a backup battery in case of a power outage. Place it in a central location in the home, such as a hallway. When a sensor is triggered, it sounds the Base Station’s siren and notifies you immediately. If on the Pro or Pro Premium plan, it will also send a signal through to the professional monitoring centre so security specialists can dispatch authorities once an incident is visually verified. 

Wireless Keypad

Engineered to be wireless, you can arm and disarm your system in a single click. You can switch your system between ‘home’ and ‘away’ modes easily. ‘Home’ mode is perfect for keeping your home protected when all the family is upstairs, ensuring you’ll be alerted if any alarm is triggered downstairs. Make sure to place it near the front door for convenient control when entering and leaving. There’s also a hidden panic button in case of an emergency.

SimpliCam, the Indoor Camera

Check in on the home and family from wherever you are on a phone, tablet or computer. It comes with 24/7 HD video monitoring and motion alerts as standard, so you can see what’s happening and take action. Your furry family members are also safe because the intelligent sensors are calibrated to detect only the unique heat signature of humans, but you can still check in any time to see what they’re up to.

2. Choose your burglary sensors

Before selecting your sensors, do a walk-through of your home and make note of what’s needed and where.

Entry Sensor/burglar alarm sensor: This works with any door or window. Place them on your front door and any other entryways that would be most common for a burglar to attempt a break-in, like the ground floor windows and conservatory doors. You can always add on more later, for instance, if you have an extension.

Motion Sensor: A Motion Sensor is ideal to cover larger rooms. Get at least one for your main hallway/entry room. No need to worry about false alarms with pets either, as it’s suitable for pets under 23kg.

Glassbreak Sensor: This is intelligently engineered to pick up the sound of a smashed window - and that means just a window, no need to worry about smashed mugs or plates. When used in conjunction with a Motion Sensor, you get even better home security. You will be alerted immediately if any glass breaks have been detected i.e. a break-in. Place in a room that has a lot of windows or floor-to-ceiling windows on the ground floor where burglars would likely be tempted to break in. 

Panic button: Your Keypad comes with a hidden panic button, but it’s also a good idea to get some extras, especially in bigger houses. If you're upstairs and hear a home invasion, you can press a nearby Panic Button to trigger an alarm to alert the monitoring centre, so it’s a great idea to have one in the master bedroom. 

Extra Indoor Camera: You will already have your smart security camera placed in a convenient place, like the hallway to capture a potential intruder which could break in through the front door, but it’s definitely a good idea to add extra, depending on your property and its size. Place others where there’s a lot of foot traffic such as near the back door or kitchen.

Wireless Outdoor Security Camera: With the Outdoor Camera, it integrates with the award-winning security system so you can get whole home protection inside and out. Designed to prevent crime before it happens, it gives 24/7 visibility to the exterior of the home. It features a built-in spotlight with colour night vision, ultra-wide 140° field of view, 1080p HD resolution with 8x zoom, two-way audio and a 80dB siren. 

SimpliSafe 105dB Siren: The Base Station already features a 95dB siren, but an extra 105dB Siren can be used to really give intruders a scare, or alert your neighbours to an emergency. This can be placed either inside and outside the home, or both.

SimpliSafe Key Fob: Working just like a car’s key fob, when you press a button, your system can be disarmed before you enter the house and armed when you leave. This is ideal for those who may forget their PIN code. 

3. Choose your hazard sensors

SimpliSafe Smoke Detector: Integrate whole home protection by connecting a Smoke Detector to the SimpliSafe system. Be alerted of any smouldering smoke before a full fire breaks out, the detector will alert you with it own and the Base Station’s siren. You should have a Smoke Detector for each floor, so if your home has two floors for example, place one in the hallway and another on the upstairs landing. Avoid placing it in the kitchen.

SimpliSafe Temperature Sensor: Get alerts if your home’s temperature drops below five degrees Celsius. This can prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. Place it near the thermostat and climate-controlled rooms. You can also set an upper temperature limit to protect things like pets, paintings and plants. 

SimpliSafe Water Sensor: Prevent costly damage by placing this near common household water sources, like the sinks, toilets and water heaters. It will detect leaks and potential floods to prevent water damage. 

4. Integrate professional alarm monitoring

Once you’ve added all your sensors, you then have the option to choose a professional monitoring plan. With a professional monitoring plan, you’ll get video verification that can confirm a break-in or fire in real time. Once there has been verification, the security specialists in the professional monitoring centre can handle emergency dispatch for you with 24/7 alerts. There's no long-term contract, so you can pause any time.

If you need help with building your system, contact our team today. Also check out our ready-built home security systems to see what would suit your property.