A new home is the cheapest time to build security in. A bit of cable and a few power points during construction cost very little, and retrofitting them later costs a lot.
Here are the low-cost things I'd plan before handover and in your first month in the house.
Disclosure: some links below are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Plan it before the walls are lined
If you might want cameras, a video doorbell, smart locks or an alarm later, sort the wiring out at the electrical rough-in stage, before the plasterboard goes up.
- Ask your electrician to run data cable and power to the front door, the eaves at each corner of the house, the garage and the driveway.
- Add sensor lights at entries, the side passages and the back yard.
- Put a power point and data point in a cupboard or the garage for a recorder or network gear.
My guide to preparing an electrical and lighting plan covers how to get this into your plans, and the C10 Rough In checklist helps you check it's been done before the walls close in. Checklists are at constructor.net.au/checklists.
Start with the basics
If you only do three things, do these:
- Good locks on every external door.
- Sensor lights at every entry.
- A camera covering the front door and driveway.
Doors
Most break-ins come through a door. Check that:
- External doors are solid core, not hollow core.
- Deadlocks are fitted to the front, back and garage access doors.
- Hinges and strike plates are fixed with long screws into the frame, not just the jamb.
A door reinforcement lock with extra long screws that go into the timber framing behind the jamb is a cheap upgrade that makes a hinged door much harder to force. Example on Amazon.
Windows
The building code already covers some of this. Under the NCC, bedroom windows where the floor is more than 2 metres above the ground outside must have their opening restricted to 125 mm, or be fitted with a suitable screen. That's a fall-safety rule for kids, but it helps security too. Check what your builder is supplying before you buy extra.
For other windows, keyed window locks or cable window restrictors are a budget-friendly way to stop windows being forced. Example on Amazon.
Just remember that anything that keeps intruders out can also slow your escape in a fire. Make sure everyone in the house knows the escape route, and keep keys for keyed locks near the window, out of reach from outside.
Lighting and landscaping
- Fit motion-activated lights at entries, side paths and the garage.
- Use timers on some internal lights when you're away.
- Keep shrubs near windows and doors trimmed low so nobody can hide behind them.
Cameras
Cameras deter some thieves and help police when something does happen.
Most modern systems record to an NVR (network video recorder) or to cloud storage. Pick one that stores footage locally so you aren't locked into a subscription, and that lets you view it on your phone. Wired cameras powered over the data cable (PoE) are more reliable than wi-fi or battery cameras, which is another reason to run the cable during construction.
Monitored alarms
A monitored alarm alerts a monitoring centre when it's triggered. They can call you and, if needed, send a security patrol or contact police. It costs a monthly fee, but it means someone acts on an alarm even if you're away or asleep.
A self-monitored alarm sends alerts to your phone instead. It's cheaper, but it's up to you to respond.
Garage
Garages are a common way in.
- Make sure the internal door from the garage to the house is solid with a deadlock.
- Make sure the remote uses rolling codes.
- Thieves can sometimes hook the emergency release cord through the top of the door. Fit a release shield or shorten and secure the cord so it can't be reached from outside, but don't remove the release. You need it in a power failure or emergency.
- A hasp or floor lock securing the door to the slab at night makes it much harder to lever up. Remember to unlock it before using the remote.
- Consider an opener that tells your phone when the door's open, so you're not wondering whether you closed it.
Wi-fi and smart devices
Cameras, smart locks and alarms are only as secure as your network.
- Change the router's default admin password.
- Use WPA3, or WPA2 if your devices don't support WPA3.
- Keep the router and device firmware up to date.
- Put cameras and smart devices on a separate guest network, away from your computers and phones.
- Use a different strong password for each security app, and turn on two-factor login.
Protect your valuables
A small safe bolted to the slab, hidden in a pantry, wardrobe or laundry cupboard, is far better than a drawer. Look for one that's fire resistant and too heavy to carry off. If you want one, tell your builder early so they can leave space and avoid running services through that spot.
Know your neighbours
The cheapest security system is a neighbour who notices an unfamiliar car or a stranger in your side passage. Introduce yourself and swap phone numbers.
The bottom line
You don't need to spend a fortune. Plan the wiring before the walls close in, get good locks and sensor lights on day one, and add cameras and an alarm as your budget allows.
Further reading
Anthony Painter
Anthony Painter
