How to Install Your Own DIY Security System | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House home technology expert Ross Trethewey installs a DIY security system.
SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: bit.ly/Subscrib...
Time: 1-2 hours
Cost: $800 and up
Skill Level: Beginner
Tools List:
Philips screwdriver
Shopping List:
DIY Security System
Motion Sensors
Smart Doorbell Camera
Indoor Security Camera
Steps:
1. Plug in the security system hub at a location near the front door. To prevent it from being unplugged, it comes with a outlet cover plate that will hold the plug in place. That is installed using the same screw as the cover plate.
2. Download the app that corresponds with the security system and then scan the hub’s QR code to register it to your phone.
3. Scan the motion sensors using the app and then secure them to desired doors and windows using the provided adhesive. Put the motion sensor on the trim or wall closest to the door and window, and place the contact sensor on the door and/or window itself.
4. Rewire the smart doorbell camera to the existing doorbell chime using the screwdriver. Replace the doorbell cover plate outside with the smart doorbell. This should only require a few screws.
5. Identify any vulnerable areas in the house that have not yet been covered and install an indoor camera to cover those areas. It just needs to be plugged in and the QR code will need to be scanned.
Resources:
Ross installed a variety of different sensors and cameras that are manufactured by Nest (nest.com/), including the Nest Secure alarm system, Nest Hello video doorbell, Nest Cam IQ Indoor, and Nest Detect motion sensors. To install these devices, all you need is a screwdriver.
About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House:
Facebook: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
Twitter: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
bit.ly/AskTOHTw...
Pinterest: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
Instagram: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
bit.ly/AskTOHIG
Tumblr: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
For more on This Old House and Ask This Old House, visit us at: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
How to Install Your Own DIY Security System | Ask This Old House
/ thisoldhouse

[@Engineer9736]

That backpack of him was at the beginning of the video worth 1000+ $ lol. I also use a lot of Nest products, but this video is just one big Nest commercial instead of a DIY video. More like BIY (Buy It Yourself).

[@fredothechimp]

Nest has a pretty significant cost for recording with that Camera as well. It is still pretty nice to have.

[@s.n.9485]

I have that same backpack, very convenient.

[@NShores]

I think I'll just go the "Home Alone" route.

[@pepsicolachao4537]

NShores haha!

[@ajc5869]

How could he put that sensor on the door that crooked and be ok with it...

[@biskit7]

Is it me but didn't they start the video by saying I don't want to pay a high up front cost with a monthly fee, so let's install $1,000 system that has a monthly fee to work? What was the point of that?

[@thespeedycamel]

BISKIT Garcia and they even said they didn’t want monthly fees which nest also has. So disappointed in this video!

[@kibagami25]

@@thespeedycamel It's more of an option for the cloud base storage. You don't need monthly fees if you prefer not to use it. Myself i think the monthly fees for Nest is useless only if you are away from your house for a long period of time.

[@thespeedycamel]

Jubei Kibagami It is useless without storage if you're house is actually broken into our something happens that requires you to be able to review/save/prove what happened, which is generally the entire point of a security system. Canary is just as bad.

[@kibagami25]

@@thespeedycamel You are correct. I just looked up the Nest Hello and there is no way to record video unless you have the monthly subscription to Nest Aware. The cameras are the same. They only save the last three hours.

[@thespeedycamel]

Jubei Kibagami Yeah! It's really lame because their interface is awesome and the resolution is pretty decent too. I just wish you could hook it up to a local storage system and I'd be way more pleased with it

[@kibagami25]

Nest is massive right now and works great with google home. You can pay per month to get extra cloud storage but you don't need too. You can get the devices and that is it. Works in Canada with the rain and weather.

[@MrMatt1138]

To get around the issue of a power outage and no WiFi I added a UPS battery backup unit to power up just the modem and router. A small device ($40) can easily power a few low power consumption devices for several hours.

[@fd3871]

what if someone cuts the coax cable line?

[@MrMatt1138]

@@fd3871 All over baby.

[@WoodUCreate]

When my power goes out it's usually not just my house, the whole neighborhood including internet from the local switching station. A UPS isn't needed since these already have batteries in them as well.

[@MrMatt1138]

@@WoodUCreate That would be a problem.

[@MrMatt1138]

@@WoodUCreate My local outages usually take the whole area out as well but the DSL typically is still working so if I can just get a little battery backup I can at least keep the WiFi going for a while.

[@muchosa1]

Put your router on a ups to keep wifi active during a power outage

[@Engineer9736]

muchosa1 Big chance that the other end of your internet line also has no power. Waste of money then to buy an UPS. +increased fire chance and +maintenance and +power bill

[@cup_and_cone]

Depends how widespread the power outage is. The cable or fiber network sub boxes that do all the individual switching (those big boxes you see outside subdivisions and street corners) still rely on grid power. DSL on the other hand is usually reliable as long as it's not a power pole issue.

[@tropicaltanktv]

No system is perfect, but this looks like a great solution. I worked in the home alarm industry for 10+ years and these types of systems have the traditional contract monitoring companies like ADT doodooing in their pants! When I upgrade, I'll definitely go with something like this!

[@davidredpath4781]

Just get a good security system installed by an alarm company. Good work isn’t cheap and cheap work isn’t good.

[@xm1712]

Lol spending more money dont meam better system

[@Kirby7601]

Welp. Google stopped making their nest secure system although they still give them critical updates for existing systems.

[@robertbutler8004]

And where else could the main entry be if not at ground level?

[@raptorkravmaga9977]

🤣🤣🤣

[@derewreck]

5:41 Thanks Russ

[@impactajuvenile]

Are there any less expensive brands than what’s being advertised? I was thinking Arlo for my video surveillance.

[@mluqman]

impactajuvenile nest cam outdoor is around 130- the benefit of this over Arlo is it records 24/7- Arlo only records when it senses motion. So Arlo may miss something

[@JohnvanGurp]

Having a camera 24/7 inside your house is just creepy.

[@JanitorIsBack]

a DIY where the guy didn't do anything himself

[@markgriz]

JanitorIsBack - what do you mean? He scanned *multiple* QR codes

[@DordiHOTS]

lolol @@markgriz

[@VeritasiumOP]

Also he passes on some screws

[@joeywitt7129]

U should have showed us how good the alarm works

[@damienwolf07]

Know what, I don't want to use some company I would rather go on the Arduino route or open source, I know that there's a lot of problems there because someone could deactivate it by looking at the open source code but I'd rather have it do it my way.

[@DordiHOTS]

very professional although expensive.

[@venividivici4253]

The best security is to not stick out like a soar thumb in the neighborhood.

[@j1203n7]

So all I have to do as a burglar is turn off the power before I go in !

[@microphonixvirtualstudio1634]

If I were to get a security system, I would want a Mercedes Benz style key, to activate or deactivate the system. You do not have to remember codes but you do have to insert it into the controller.

[@WoodUCreate]

he said you could use a FOB to activate/deactivate as well as GPS location from your iPhone. How many more keys do you want to carry?

[@FluffyKittypire]

There are many DIY companies out there I perfer SecurityAllStar.com with my Qolsys system and alarm.com monitoring.

[@augustreil]

Best security system is a big nasty dog and a big nasty gun, at least when you're home. When you're not at home, tell neighbors with a big nasty dog and a big nasty gun that you'll be away, lol.

[@augustreil]

@Angelo, Then I guess you'll need a security system ?

[@johng.]

Typical, macho BS answer. Contributes nothing to the discussion. The point is, there are options available to protect your home, to detect intrusions, and to call for help. None are perfect and some are more useful than others. Or you can do nothing at all.

[@augustreil]

@@johng., Typical Soyboy answer. Good luck waiting 20 minutes for the cops to arrive. I gave options and mine are what thieves hate the most.

[@DordiHOTS]

lol

[@gazzler1004]

Someone can steal that doorbell...

[@AnyMedia]

WiFi jammer and there you go.

[@sunflowerpwr.8821]

And sometimes the security company doesn't respond.

[@theclueguy3388]

if you have a crappy one yeah

[@sunflowerpwr.8821]

I saw on a crime show that Intruders can cut the outside wires on the professional security systems... so I very interested in this method.

[@anikun]

the big downside to wireless is that its vulnerable to typical wireless intrusion attacks, having your own personal hardwired system negates the wifi attacks, and now adays you can make a DIY wired security system as well

[@Engineer9736]

anikun2013 The data connection is encrypted, and any disconnect (wifi jammer or cut power) results in a notification on your phone so even then you’ll know that stuff is going on at home. But true, you won’t have camera images.

[@anikun]

@@Engineer9736 thats the thing, you may get a notification but most people wont act on a "your power has gone out" notification, as well as a fairly common issue with these DIY security systems that people arent changing the password from the default password which leads to it being a webcam streaming anything and everything to malicious individuals

[@s.n.9485]

Well the system should be wired from the inside where they have no access to the system. If you have cameras far from the house the wire should be ran underground and encased in pipe when above ground. Most common criminals won't bother with that.

[@allahbole]

"Hey, what happens if the power goes out, what do we do then?" "Well, you'll just have to buy the cellular upgrade..." Uh... *or* you could get a UPS so your modem and router are still active. Granted that doesn't handle the situation where your line is cut or ISP has an outage, but it'd handle normal power outages since the provider's sure to have power backup on their end.

[@alansmilealot]

I did everything mentioned in this video and now I can't get inside my house.....

[@ssjaken]

Wait. Didn't the electrician guy install a flood light in that house beforehand?

[@derewreck]

Ross is Richard’s son

[@robertsanford3004]

He put the nest detect on the wrong side of the door. Large piece goes on the door. Small magnet goes on the trim.

[@hellondjoseph9403]

What happens if his internet isn’t working ?

[@Kirby7601]

You could install cellular on it with tmobile

[@matthewslife938]

Large nest commercial.

[@one7decimal2eight]

best security system. 12 gauge with 00 buck shot.

[@imasmileydog8043]

All you need to do is never leave your house.

[@Engineer9736]

And then you have to hope that court agrees with your choice to murder someone. A security system is more meant for the times that you aren’t watching your home.

[@Engineer9736]

ORION STAR Good thinking

[@definitelynotacop621]

@ORION STAR works great for people who see reason. Although for regular home invaders that use drugs or under the influence of all kinds of stuff? Would that work on them? Lol

[@one7decimal2eight]

Richard van Pukkem if someone breaks in and they get shot it isn't murder. it is self defense.

[@balderoine]

How about the nest hello doorbell that feeds off of gigabytes of data and has connection problems 🤭🤭🤭

[@rutgerhoutdijk3547]

I'd rather have a hard wired system instead of taping these cheap plastic gadgets all over my house and having to regularly replace the batteries of every sensor. Also take into account you need to pay $50-300 a year for the cloud service and no one knows what happens to your data. Even if they don't get hacked, they likely sell it to a third party, or have the government look into it.

[@9carcottrell246]

I'll just and another street sweeper 😜

[@alexchappy9574]

I’ve a cane corso

[@cup_and_cone]

So the door sensors were wireless and battery powered... How long does the battery last? I'm guessing it varies by the amount of door openings to wake it from low power state. I really don't want to have to charge them every 6-12 months.

[@Engineer9736]

thechosendude I’ve bought my wireless Nest Smoke alarms in April 2017, still working fine. The thermostat, cam and door bell are all wired to mains. Batteries last for ages these days.. The one AA battery in my PC mouse easily works for 2 years. Philips Hue sensor also goes on for many years without recharging.

[@davidcarney6050]

What if you don’t have a smartphone?

[@Engineer9736]

david carney You can access Nest products via your desktop PC. But you’ll miss any notifications to warn you on time that something is going on at home.

[@WoodUCreate]

Buy one. Stop living in the 90's.

[@johng.]

You can get one, or not. Your choice. You can also have a security system or not. Or you are free to move on if you don't like this video.

[@Kirby7601]

I bet google is paying this old house so this old house can sponsor google nest products.

[@kobirelf97]

This product don't even exist anymore

[@Kirby7601]

@@kobirelf97 took 2 years for a reply

[@Amedeus1756]

Best security system? Buy yourself a big dog.

[@MKRM27]

Okay. Great. Okay.

[@viq234]

Nest products are extremely poor value for money. Don't get me started with monthly fees.

[@Kirby7601]

I mean what do you expect from google?

[@kamilkuzmicki1687]

That we would have professional hard wired it, idiot breaks into my house and I’m getting a call within 1-3 secs The one that uses Wifi and the internet “Internet goes out” WELP gotta wait till 5 min for phone call

[@NorthernChev]

IoT devices... Unless the software is updated monthly, at the very least, it is devastatingly vulnerable. Period. IoT has NOT come into its own quite yet. Companies who sell these devices are NOT supporting their products with updates often enough allowing thieves to hack your phone and your personal information very easily. Think about how many of YOUR existing IoT devices have NOT been updated?

[@user-nh3gu1ge3d]

It's still much harder than credit carding a door handle, picking a deadbolt or breaking a window. How hard is that? And how many people have the skills to hack IoT devices? It's not NSA level security but it's a heck of a lot stronger than what most people have, which is a manual lock. You should ease off the Mr Robot.

[@hampton-roads-bus-guy]

Its not DIY if someone did it for him

[@Brandon_Jackson]

They never show the god damn end result!! Show us the damn thing workinggg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@arthurmartin1885]

Take a cup of water or just a hammer and this central panel is destroyed even before sending the alert. Moreover, his girlfriend and him can't hear the nest cheap siren 2 floors far

[@zack9912000]

Nest are very expensive and over rated, as well as unreliable

[@Kirby7601]

I mean not every system is perfect. And yea google nest products are kinda overpriced.

[@zack9912000]

@@Kirby7601 They are very over priced for what they do and their design is terrible, replace dozens of them a year

[@Kirby7601]

@@zack9912000 i mean idk either i would probably buy this or pay $6 a month for my google nest speakers to have a feature similar to alexa guard that lets me know whether there's either glass breaking or smoke alarm. So much debate whenever it comes with the google home ecosystem.

[@lennym480]

Just go with ADT. They've been in business over 100 yrs, are a fortune 500 company, protect court houses, airports and federal buildings. Why would you rely on some janky app?

[@MechanicalMikesRoadsideRepair]

Get a license to carry and a big guard dog

[@ValladolidArde]

trading away privacy??? WTF?

[@FredMcIntyre]

👍👊

[@Matt-dc8lp]

Terrible value. Simply safe is half the price. Maybe not all the bells and whistles but better bang for your buck.

[@microphonixvirtualstudio1634]

I actually have the best security system anyone can get. Everything, in my house and that includes my car, belongs to God. If he wants, to give it to someone else, He is more than welcome to do that. What I found out, is that God has a very good reason, in all cases and usually, He replaces it with something of equal value or better. Either that, or He just wants to bless someone else.

[@Mixwell1983]

I really hope you're joking. I'm sure if god wanted to bless someone else with your stuff he wouldn't want then to break 1 of the 10 commandments.

[@Jimddddd1981]

So if someone breaks into your house, but instead of robbing you, he rapes your daughter. Did god just want to help that guy get laid?

[@Superman-xr1oh]

Obvious troll account is obvious.

[@roccoanderson3911]

first