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Each page answers one question directly, in the first paragraph, then covers the detail.
How much does a burglar alarm cost in the UK?
There is no single price for a burglar alarm. The cost depends on the size of your property, whether the system is wired or wireless, how many sensors it needs, and whether you take annual servicing. Locks & Alarms Ltd quotes each job after a free visit, so the figure reflects your property rather than a market average.
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Wired vs wireless burglar alarms: which is better?
Neither type is better in every case. Wired alarms carry signals over cables, so they need no sensor batteries but require chasing walls or lifting floors to install. Wireless alarms use radio links, install with little disruption and suit finished homes, but their sensors run on batteries. The right choice depends on the building, its wiring and how it is used.
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Do CCTV cameras deter burglars?
Visible CCTV cameras give a burglar a reason to pick another property. A camera raises the chance of being identified, and most burglars prefer targets that carry less risk. Deterrence depends on the cameras being obvious, working and able to record usable footage, including at night. CCTV works best alongside an alarm, good locks and lighting.
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Can I have a burglar alarm with pets?
Yes. Pet-tolerant PIR sensors are designed to ignore the movement of animals below a certain size while still detecting a person. Where each sensor points matters as much as the sensor itself: aimed away from stairs, cat trees and furniture pets climb on, they cause fewer false alarms. The quote visit looks at your home and your pets and decides the right setup.
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How long does burglar alarm installation take?
Installation time depends on the system being fitted. A wireless alarm with a few sensors is a shorter job than a wired system that needs cabling run through the property. The number of sensors and the size of the building set the workload. Locks & Alarms Ltd confirms the expected duration at the free quote visit and books the installation around you.
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What happens during a security survey?
A security survey is how your free quote is prepared. You book a free quote, an engineer visits your property, walks the entry points, and listens to what you want to protect. They recommend a system, then send a fixed written quote. There is no obligation and no pressure to decide on the day. Checkatrade reviewers for Locks & Alarms Ltd describe detailed advice at quotation and no-pressure visits. The quote is free.
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Are your engineers DBS checked?
Yes. All Locks & Alarms Ltd engineers are DBS checked and fully qualified, and every engineer is employed directly, never a subcontractor. A DBS check is a criminal record check run through the UK Disclosure and Barring Service. The review record backs this up: Checkatrade reviewers describe letting the same family into their homes for 13 and 20 years.
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Monitored vs bells-only alarms: what is the difference?
A bells-only alarm sounds a siren at the property and relies on someone nearby hearing it and acting. A monitored alarm also sends a signal, to an app on your phone, or to a receiving centre that follows an agreed response plan. The difference is what happens after activation: noise alone, or noise plus a notification. A quote for either type is decided when an engineer visits.
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Smart locks vs traditional locks: which should I choose?
Traditional locks are mechanical: no batteries, no app, and decades of proven use. Smart locks add keypad, fob or phone entry and let you share or revoke access without cutting keys, but they need power and occasional software updates. Check your insurance terms before changing locks. Many doors use both: a smart layer over a mechanical lock.
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How often should CCTV be serviced?
There is no fixed rule for how often CCTV must be serviced. The right interval depends on the equipment, where it is mounted and how exposed it is. Locks & Alarms Ltd alarm customers already book annual services and yearly checks, and the practical approach for CCTV is the same: agree a servicing schedule at the free quote visit.
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How fast are emergency locksmith response times?
Locks & Alarms Ltd runs a 24/7 emergency call-out across Kent. No single arrival time fits every job: distance, traffic and the time of day set it, so you get an honest estimate on the phone. A Checkatrade reviewer in DA14 described a “Very prompt response to my request” for a lock repair in March 2022.
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Which areas does Locks & Alarms cover?
Locks & Alarms Ltd is based in Crayford, Dartford (DA1 4NP) and covers the whole of Kent. Checkatrade review history carries the proof: completed jobs in 18 postcode districts, covering Dartford, Crayford, Bexley, Bexleyheath, Erith, Belvedere, Sidcup, Welling, Gravesend and Sevenoaks, plus jobs in SE2, SE28, ME19, CR3 and W11.
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What is an anti-snap lock and do I need one?
An anti-snap lock is a euro-cylinder built to resist lock snapping, a forced-entry method where the cylinder is broken at its weakest point so the door can be opened. Anti-snap cylinders use sacrificial sections and reinforcement so the lock keeps holding if attacked. Locks & Alarms Ltd fits anti-drill and anti-snap cylinders as standard on replacement locks.
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Do burglar alarms reduce home insurance premiums?
Sometimes. Many insurers ask whether a property has a burglar alarm and approved locks, and some offer discounts when they are fitted and used. Terms vary between insurers and policies, so check your policy wording or ask your insurer directly. What matters most is answering their questions accurately, because a wrongly declared alarm can cause problems with a claim.
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What is a keyed-alike system?
A keyed-alike system is a set of locks that all open with the same key. One key operates the front door, back door, garage and any other lock in the set, so you carry one key instead of a bundle. It suits homes and small business premises. It is different from a master key system, which layers different levels of access.
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Why is my uPVC door sticking and how do I fix it?
A uPVC door usually sticks because it has dropped on its hinges or moved out of line with its frame, so the locking mechanism and keeps no longer meet cleanly. Warm weather makes it worse, because the door expands. Most sticking doors need adjustment, not replacement. Adjusting the hinges, locking mechanism and keeps usually restores smooth operation.
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What should I do after a break-in?
Call 999 if the intruder could still be inside, and wait somewhere safe. Otherwise report the burglary on 101 and get a crime reference number, which your insurer will need. Do not touch the points of entry until the police advise you can. Then contact your insurer, secure the property, and review your locks, alarm and CCTV once things are settled.
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Book your free quote
No obligation. An engineer visits, surveys your property and gives you a fixed written quote, or call 01322 436084 and talk it through first.