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Thursday, July 10th
Vivint specializes in the sale of home security systems, smart home systems, and cameras, offering comprehensive services for installation and monitoring. With required professional installation, Vivint assists you in tailoring the system to your home's specific needs.
Professional setup and guidance
This includes setup guidance and thorough instructions on system usage. While DIY options are not available, this may help you get a complete package with very little hassle. However, Vivint does require you to speak with a representative to schedule a consultation to get any details about pricing or particular system elements for your home.
Call for an estimate
If you want to look through what Vivint offers, you can do that easily on the website. But if you want to move forward at all with prices, you'll have to call Vivint to get started. Unfortunately, Vivint doesn't offer any kind of online estimator tool, so you're definitely going to have to talk to a rep to get more information. This sets Vivint behind a bit, considering that other companies offer prices for individual items or even an online estimate.
Automation and security features
Vivint facilitates seamless connectivity with popular devices such as Google, Amazon, and Nest, so you can control various aspects of your home automation through the Vivint app or hub. Whether adjusting the AC, playing music, or replenishing snacks, these tasks can be effortlessly managed within the Vivint system. Vivint provides specialized detectors to safeguard homes against fires, carbon monoxide exposure, and flooding. In the event of a fire, smoke detectors can halt air conditioning airflow to mitigate oxygen supply until emergency responders arrive. Flood detectors, strategically placed, can detect water accumulation, notifying you of potential issues like burst pipes, basement leaks, or overflowing sump pumps.
Costs at least $600
While we couldn't get concrete numbers for the home automation, many of the items and features included in those systems also appear in Vivint's home security. For that, we found a baseline estimate for pricing on the website. It can give you a ballpark (if not totally accurate to your home) idea of what Vivint's services might cost you. On the low end, Vivint charges $599.99 for its most basic home security plan. At the high end, the full security plan (with features like automated door locks and smart lights) is $999.99. While adding more home automation and tailoring it to your home will certainly be more expensive than just security devices, this does give you a place to work from in terms of cost.
Security features included
Since security is included in home automation, we wanted to highlight a few of those features too. Vivint offers constant monitoring and security specialists are available around the clock to respond during emergencies. The inclusion of the Smart Drive, a hard drive storage unit, allows the recording of up to 30 days of continuous 24/7 security monitoring, so you can keep track of what's going on around your home at all times.
Paid warranty or 120 days of coverage
Vivint takes care of its equipment, but it comes with a price. When you choose Vivint's Premium Service, the company will handle the repair and replacement of any parts in the security system at no additional cost. If you decide not to go for the Premium Service, your equipment will still be under warranty for 120 days.
Poor reputation and lots of complaints
Despite positive customer reviews elsewhere, Vivint's Better Business Bureau rating presents a stark contrast. Vivint holds the record for the highest number of BBB complaints among the home automation vendors we reviewed, tallying nearly 6,100 complaints over the preceding three years. In 2021, Vivint settled an FTC complaint, accused of violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act by improperly accessing credit reports of potential customers. The "C+” rating from the BBB is one of the worst in our review and stands out in stark contrast to other well-rated home automation companies.
Not worth it considering poor reviews
Given the abundance of negative BBB issues and mixed customer feedback, Vivint leaves much to be desired. While their home automation system offers extensive functionality, customer satisfaction appears to be lacking. With other similar companies out there that have much better ratings, Vivint falls near the bottom of the pack. It's worth your while to explore alternatives among higher-rated home automation companies before considering Vivint.
Just a few years ago, the idea of home automation was a futuristic dream, a vision of Jetsons-style technology that promised to simplify every aspect of home life. Fast forward to today, and we're living in a future that even George Jetson would marvel at, thanks to the advancements in home automation technologies.
With smartphones, smart appliances, and smart lights, you can basically automate your entire living space. Whether you're looking for a small efficiency upgrade or to restructure your whole home into an automated utopia, there's an option out there for you. Modern home automation systems go beyond merely securing your home; they now encompass a wide array of functions, from ensuring your home's safety to providing entertainment - and much more in between.
A basic home automation setup typically includes features like a doorbell intercom and camera, smart lights, smart thermostats, motion detectors, sensors for doors and windows, as well as monitoring for smoke and carbon monoxide. For those with a more flexible budget, seeking a provider that integrates entertainment and environmental controls for television, music, lighting, and temperature is a wise move.
While a handful of providers offer do-it-yourself options, (and some of them even require coding knowledge for the very industrious DIYers) most home automation services are delivered through professional dealers. These experts conduct thorough assessments of your home's requirements, then proceed to design, build, and install a customized system.
A reputable professional home automation vendor usually responds within a week of your inquiry, providing a comprehensive price estimate. Many providers go the extra mile by visiting your home for a visual inspection and measurements for precision system installation.
The time required for installation and configuration can vary significantly. For straightforward systems, installation might take just a few days. On the other hand, more complex setups could extend to a month or more. It's essential to be aware that advanced systems might necessitate modifications to walls, floors, and ceilings to accommodate the mounting of equipment and wiring.
If you're feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out where to start, don't worry. When looking for home automation solutions, here are some factors to consider:
To help you make your house your dream home, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best Home Automation solutions available today. We hope to help you find the right home automation system so you can start enjoying your new futuristic home life that's even better than a sci-fi dream!
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