Security System FAQ
Security System Questions From Dallas–Fort Worth Homes and Businesses
Updated · Answers from Powerhouse Guardians, Texas License #B30802201
Straight answers about what a security system costs, how contracts work, what happens when the internet goes down, alarm permits and licensing. If your question is not here, call (469) 927-6524 and talk to the team that installs the system.
Cost and Contracts
How much does a security system cost in Dallas–Fort Worth?
PGC’s home plans start at $34.99 a month for Home Monitor, $44.99 for Home Smart, $54.99 for Home Video and $64.99 for Home Video+ with 24/7 recording. Business plans start at $49.99, with Business Video at $79.99 and Business Command, which adds 2 access-controlled doors, at $129.99. Equipment and installation are quoted separately and in writing, because they depend on the size of the property and what can be reused.
| Plan | Per month | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Home Monitor | $34.99 | Alarm monitoring and app control |
| Home Smart | $44.99 | Adds locks, the thermostat, the garage door and lights |
| Home Video | $54.99 | Adds up to 4 cameras, including a video doorbell |
| Home Video+ | $64.99 | Adds 24/7 recording for up to 8 cameras |
| Business Takeover | $49.99 | Alarm monitoring that keeps compatible wired sensors |
| Business Essentials | $49.99 | Alarm monitoring with a new wireless alarm |
| Business Video | $79.99 | Adds 4 cameras with person and vehicle detection |
| Business Command | $129.99 | Adds video and 2 access-controlled doors |
Compare home plans · Compare business plans · See installation pricing
Do I have to sign a long-term contract?
No. PGC’s published Alarm.com plans are month to month, and home plans can be cancelled with 30 days’ written notice and no cancellation fee. Many monitored security contracts run 36 to 60 months. In addition, you see the installation price and the monthly price in writing before any work starts, so you know what you pay once and what recurs each month.
Want an exact price for your property? The site review is free, and the quote comes in writing.
Request a Free Site ReviewHow the System Works
Will my system still work if the internet goes down?
Your alarm will. The Alarm.com panels we install report alarms over a cellular connection, as long as the panel has power and cellular service. Camera streaming and cloud video still need the internet. Cellular reporting matters more since 2022, when U.S. carriers shut down their 3G networks and many older panels lost their only way to report. If your panel predates that change, the site review shows whether it can be upgraded.
Can you keep my existing cameras and wiring?
Often, yes. We check compatible cameras, wiring, sensors, door readers and network gear to see what can be reused, repaired or upgraded. However, not everything is worth keeping. A camera that cannot support AI detection, or cable that fails testing, can cost more to keep than to replace. Your proposal shows that trade-off for each item before any work starts.
Do you install Ring and Google Nest?
Yes. PGC is a Ring Authorized Partner and a Google Nest Pro installer, and we set up devices such as video doorbells, cameras and thermostats. Those devices keep working in their own apps. If you would rather have one app for everything, smart home plans start at $44.99 a month and bring compatible locks, thermostats, garage doors and lights into the Alarm.com app instead.
Permits, Licensing and Service Area
Do I need an alarm permit in Dallas–Fort Worth?
Usually, yes. Most DFW cities require a permit for any system that calls the police, and state law has established limits on what they can charge. According to the Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 214, a city can charge at most $50 a year for a home and $250 a year for other locations, and it cannot fine you until there have been at least 3 other false alarms at the address in 12 months. Our DFW alarm permits guide lists the rules city by city.
Which cities do you serve?
Powerhouse Guardians serves homes and businesses across the Dallas–Fort Worth area, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Denton and Celina. If your property is outside those cities, call (469) 927-6524 or send the request form, and we will tell you whether it is in range before you book a site review.
Is Powerhouse Guardians licensed?
Yes. Powerhouse Guardians holds Texas License #B30802201 from the Texas Department of Public Safety and is insured and bonded. The company is also an Alarm.com Authorized Dealer and is SBE and SBE-Plus certified, which you can confirm before you sign anything.
Start With the Right Plan
Professional Security Starts With a Clear Property Review
Whether you need cameras and door access for a business or a monitored system at home, the first step is a free site review. You get a written quote, and the monthly plan stays month to month.