Hot take: Should we tell homeowners when their system is way overkill?

I had this one job last year in Phoenix where the guy wanted a full commercial grade setup with glass breaks and motion sensors in every room of a 900 square foot condo. I tried to talk him down but he insisted. Then his neighbor came over and asked why he needed all that for a place with one door and three windows. He got all defensive. My question is do you guys just install what they ask for or do you push back and recommend something simpler? Has anyone else dealt with a customer who wanted way more than they needed?

3 comments

3 Comments

violaramirez1mo ago

That 900 square foot condo in Phoenix with the full commercial setup is exactly the kind of thing I wonder about too. I mean, did you ever find out if he had some specific fear or past break-in that was driving all that? Idk, maybe it's just me but when people go that overboard I get curious what they're actually worried about. Did he mention anything about insurance discounts or was it just a general "more is better" mindset?

oscarc121mo ago

Honestly I've noticed this same pattern with like half the people I know who get really into home security. It's almost never about one specific thing. It's more like they watched a few too many true crime docs or read Nextdoor posts about porch pirates and just kept adding layers. My buddy spent like 2 grand on sensors and cameras for his apartment then admitted he'd never even had anything stolen. I think it's just how people cope with feeling out of control about stuff in general. The locking down of one small space gives you this weird sense of power when everything else is chaos. It's like stress buying a grill you barely use but way more expensive and with monthly fees.

dakota4151mo ago

Was it insurance discounts or did he just like the gadgets?