I did this shit for decades. I held licenses in multiple states and I've done jewelry stores, NFA dealers, you name it. I can't talk about my favorites. So I kinda know my shit.
I've wrote exhaustive threads on here so I'm not going in depth on these questions anymore. You can pick my brain via PM if you like.
Note one of the best systems you can get is still the old 1980's Radionics. But you'll need a dealer, likely a local one to do it. Proprietary programmers make them ultra-secure. Better than most modern alarms today, just you can't program it yourself.
Basic packages are good to get started on a budget, but they are by no means a full security package. You are likely to get raped on contracts too, no windows covered and likely a sloppy job. If you have the money, go with a good local company with a good reputation and one that does their own monitoring and has radio service.
Monitoring needs to be done via cell phone (you clone the PIN into transimitter) or radio (costly as it's usually local). You can find monitoring alone for much less online, just make sure they are UL listed for such. You save money, but you'll need to program it. Forget landline, I can shut down your landline system in seconds. If you have a dog, I can handle him a multitude of ways, from lethal to non-lethal.
Exterior sirens, big 30W motherfuckers, even if your code dispermits them, use them anyway. I use boosters and multiple ones with multiple circuits, backups and tampers, etc. Good fucking luck turning this one off!
There's so many aspects that go into a good or great security system I can't really go into all of them here. I can say cameras are good for deterrence, but they need to be hidden at the same time to be effective. They also are only good for after the fact unless the system is integrated to notify you of a breech, then display on screen what the camera sees. More than one guy has been caught red handed this way with no loss of possessions. Those Costco camera kits aren't that bad really, especially when price is considered, and this is professionally speaking, but they may not do everything you desire like notify you.
Lethal reactive alarms are illegal here. So use tear gas. Clear out is my favorite. It'll leave little residue and they won't be hanging around for long with a 20lb. canister of CS dumped in the house. They don't sell these due to liability, I checked, so you have to rig this up yourself.
Work with your neighbors. Myself and my two side neighbors both have alarms I supplied (for my own purposes really --I want to stop intruders before they reach me, I love my neighbors but they are my buffer zone too). When one of the three goes off, whoever is available responds and holds a perimeter until the cops get here. We had common break-ins around here when I moved in, but I think they're getting the picture now.
Multilayer it and have a good plan. Don't overlook your locks --doors with windows nearby or in them need to be keyed on both sides. If you have a long drive and can gate it, do so.
Safe: TL-15 or TL-30 (my choice for bang for buck) is the safe you want. Mine has a 5" thick steel door (not full of bullshit, it's steel) with steel plate walls. Get a bigger, cheaper two door model later for storing less expensive shit or overflow items.
Good luck, and security has to be multilayered in order to be effective, remember that.
PS, before you do anything, have several guys come out and give estimates and see what they each recommend. It'll at least give you something to go by if you decide to do it yourself, and if not you'll have some good leads. Call local dealers and ADT corporate, try and stay away from dealers unless you know someone in the that trade.
