What to Ask Before Signing a Home Security Contract — 12 Questions That Matter Most
Most buyers sign home security contracts before asking the questions that matter most. By the time they discover the ETF formula, the rate escalation clause, or the equipment loan they didn’t know was separate from monitoring, the leverage is gone. These 12 questions should be asked and answered — in writing — before you agree to anything.
How to use this page
- Ask the 12 questions and get written answers before agreeing to anything
- Identify which answers must be in writing (section 2)
- Know your walk-away triggers (section 3)
- Once you have written terms — run the Quote Decoder (section 5)
- Once you have the full contract — use the contract reading guide
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Nearly a decade in home security · Thousands of installations overseen · Built to cut through sales pressure
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The 12 questions to ask before you sign
Ask each question directly. Take notes or ask for written responses. For any question the rep answers verbally, follow up with: “Can you put that in writing?” The answers that hold up are the ones in the contract.
What is the exact contract term — in months — and what is the calendar end date?
Contract length is almost never presented as a calendar date. “36 months” signed in May 2026 ends in May 2029. If you move, sell your home, or want to switch providers, the specific calendar date matters. Most buyers don’t find out the end date until they try to cancel.
Complete answer looks like
“Your contract term is 36 months. It starts on [sign date]. Your contract end date is [calendar date].”
Vague answer signals
“It’s a standard 3-year contract.” No calendar date means no accountability. If the rep doesn’t know the end date, it’s because end dates create checkpoints.
What is the early termination fee formula — and what would I owe in dollars if I cancel at month 12 and month 24?
The ETF is the most financially significant term in the contract and the one buyers most commonly discover only when trying to leave. The formula varies: ADT typically charges 75% of remaining monthly fees; other providers use flat fees or tiered structures. Asking for worked dollar examples forces the rep to apply the formula to your specific rate.
Complete answer looks like
“If you cancel at month 12 with 24 months remaining at $52/month, your ETF would be $52 × 24 × 75% = $936. At month 24 with 12 months remaining, it would be $52 × 12 × 75% = $468.” Get the formula and the specific examples in writing. Model your exact exposure with the ETF Calculator →
Vague answer signals
“There’s an early termination fee but it’s not that bad.” Ask for the formula. If the rep can’t or won’t give you a dollar figure, that number is probably large. See ADT’s contract length and ETF structure →
Is my equipment purchase a separate financial obligation from my monitoring agreement?
This is the most important question for Vivint buyers and anyone being offered equipment financing. Vivint’s monitoring agreement and equipment financing (SmartPay / Citizens Pay) are two separate contracts with two separate obligations. Canceling monitoring does not cancel the equipment loan. Many buyers discover this only after canceling and receiving a collections notice for the remaining loan balance.
Complete answer looks like
“Your equipment is purchased outright at $X. There is no separate financing.” OR “Your equipment is financed through [lender] for [term]. Canceling monitoring does not cancel this obligation. The loan balance at any point would be $X.”
Vague answer signals
“It’s all bundled into one payment.” Monthly billing may be one number, but the underlying obligations may be two separate contracts. Ask explicitly: If I cancel monitoring, does my equipment payment stop? See Vivint financing explained →
Does my monthly rate change at any point during the contract term?
Rate escalation clauses are common. ADT contracts often permit annual increases of 3–7%. The rate on your quote may not be the rate you pay in year 2 or year 3. A “locked in rate” is only as good as the written language backing it up.
Complete answer looks like
“Your rate is fixed at $X/month for the full 36-month term. The contract does not allow rate increases.” Or: “The contract allows annual increases up to X%. At that maximum, your rate in year 3 would be $Y/month.”
Vague answer signals
“Your rate is very competitive.” That’s not an answer. Follow up: Does the contract include any clause that allows the monthly rate to increase during the term? Ask for the specific section.
Does this contract auto-renew — and what is the notice window to stop it?
Most home security contracts auto-renew for 1–2 additional years if you don’t actively cancel within a specific window before the term ends — typically 30–60 days. If you miss the window, you’re locked in for another full term with another ETF. The company is not required to remind you.
Complete answer looks like
“The contract has a 30-day cancellation notice window. To prevent auto-renewal, you must notify us in writing by [date]. I can give you that date now.”
Vague answer signals
“You can cancel after your contract ends.” They’re not telling you about the notice window. Ask specifically: What is the deadline I must notify you by to prevent auto-renewal? Set a calendar reminder 60 days before that date.
What exactly is included in this monthly payment — and what is not on this page?
Monthly monitoring rates cover professional dispatch. Activation fees, equipment permit fees, cellular backup add-ons, and app-access fees are frequently separate line items that appear at or after installation. The quote summary rarely lists all of them.
Complete answer looks like
A written, itemized statement: “Your $X/month includes: professional monitoring, cellular backup, app access, and equipment warranty. It does not include: activation fee ($X), permit fees (varies by municipality), or service call fees for non-warranty issues.”
Vague answer signals
“Everything is included.” Ask for a written itemized list of what the monthly fee covers and a list of any potential fees not in the monthly rate. Legitimate providers have this documentation.
What fees are not listed on this quote?
The four most common unlisted fees: activation fee ($99–$199 at many providers), municipality permit fee ($25–$100 in many jurisdictions), service call fee for non-warranty repairs, and reinstatement fee if a payment lapses and the account is suspended. Asking this question directly creates accountability.
Complete answer looks like
“There are no fees outside of what’s on this quote. I can confirm that in writing.” Or: a complete list of potential fees with amounts.
Vague answer signals
“I don’t think there are any others.” The word “think” is a tell. Ask: Can you provide written confirmation that no fees not on this page will apply?
Can I see the full service agreement before I sign anything?
Summary sheets and proposal PDFs are marketing materials. The full service agreement is the legal document that binds you. It contains the complete ETF formula, rate escalation clause, auto-renewal terms, cancellation procedure, equipment ownership language, and assignment rights. You have the right to see it before signing. Asking for it is a standard buyer request.
Complete answer looks like
“Yes. Here it is.” Or: “I’ll send it to you right now before you decide.”
Vague answer signals
“We can go over the details after installation.” Or: “The contract is pretty standard.” These are walk-away responses. If a rep cannot or will not provide the full service agreement before you sign, that is a significant red flag. See the contract reading guide → for what to look for when you do receive it.
What happens if I sell my home during the contract?
Contract policies on home sales vary significantly. Some providers allow the buyer of your home to assume the contract. Others leave the financial obligation entirely with you even after you move out. Some allow transfer to a new address. Knowing this in advance changes the financial calculus of signing a 36-month agreement.
Complete answer looks like
“If you sell, you can transfer the contract to the buyer with their written agreement. If the buyer declines, you may transfer the service to your new address. If neither works, the ETF applies.”
Vague answer signals
“That’s not something most people worry about.” It’s something many people do worry about, at the exact moment they can’t afford it. Ask for the specific contract language on assignment and transfer.
What happens if I move to a rented property or a location where installation isn’t possible?
Moving complicates both the monitoring agreement and any equipment financing. Some providers allow service transfer to a new address; others don’t. Equipment installed by a professional company may require reinstallation, which may or may not be covered. Knowing the policy before you sign is especially important for renters or buyers in mobile situations.
Complete answer looks like
“You can transfer service to any address in our coverage area at no additional cost. If you move outside our coverage area, we’ll work with you on an early exit. That option is documented in the contract under [section].”
Vague answer signals
“We cover most areas.” Ask for written confirmation of the transfer policy and what happens if you move outside coverage.
Who owns the equipment — during the contract, and after it ends?
Equipment ownership affects what you can do if you cancel, move, or switch providers. For ADT standard contracts, equipment is typically owned by the customer after fulfilling the service term but may not work with other monitoring providers. For Vivint, equipment is owned by the customer (or the financing entity until paid off) but will not function with most other monitoring companies. Understanding ownership clarifies your options.
Complete answer looks like
“You own the equipment outright from day one. It will [work/not work] with other monitoring providers.” Or: “The equipment is financed. You own it once the loan is fully paid off. Currently it [works/does not work] independently of monitoring.”
Vague answer signals
“The equipment is yours after the contract.” Ask specifically: Do I own it before the contract ends? Does it work if I cancel monitoring? Can another company monitor it?
If I asked you to add everything you just told me to the contract in writing, would you?
This is the meta-question that validates everything above. A rep who has given you accurate information should have no objection to putting it in writing. The contract already says what it says — adding a written summary of verbal representations is a reasonable request that legitimate reps accommodate. Hesitation is informative.
Complete answer looks like
“Yes. Here’s what I’ll add as an addendum.” Or: “Everything I’ve told you is already in the contract — let me show you exactly where.”
Vague answer signals
“We don’t usually do that.” Or any version of: “the contract is standard.” If what the rep told you is true, there’s no reason it can’t be written down. If they’re reluctant, the reason is almost always that what they said doesn’t match what the contract says. See how to validate what a rep told you →
Answers that must be in writing
These five items are almost always delivered verbally during a sales conversation. Without written confirmation, they are not part of your contract — and the contract governs in virtually every jurisdiction.
The exact monthly rate with written confirmation of whether it can increase during the contract term
Rate escalation clauses are in most ADT contracts. The quote rate is not the guaranteed rate unless there is written language preventing increases.
The complete early termination fee formula with a worked dollar example at your specific monthly rate
Percentages are abstractions. Ask for the actual number at month 12 and month 24. Write it down. Get it in the contract or as a written addendum.
Whether equipment financing is a separate obligation from monitoring — with the name of the financing entity
Critical for Vivint buyers. The loan servicer’s name (Citizens Pay, SmartPay, etc.) should be in the written agreement. If it’s not on the quote, ask for a full financing disclosure before signing.
The auto-renewal notice window and the specific calendar date by which you must act to prevent renewal
30-day and 60-day windows are common. The calendar date matters. Most companies will not proactively remind you. Write it down and set a reminder.
Any rate-lock guarantee, installation fee waiver, or promotional term you were quoted verbally
Verbal promotions are not part of your contract. If a rep offers a discount, waived fee, or special rate, ask for it to be added to the contract or provided in a written addendum signed by the rep.
The written contract governs
If a verbal promise is not in the written service agreement, it is not part of your agreement. This is true regardless of what the rep said, what was shown in a presentation, or what was offered as a promotion. Every specific commitment should be in writing before you sign.
Walk-away triggers
Four specific responses from a rep should cause you to stop, step back, and ask for written documentation before proceeding.
The rep says you can review or discuss the contract terms after signing or after installation
This is the most common phrasing for a post-commitment pressure close. You have no leverage after signing. Any rep who needs you to sign before explaining the terms is operating outside normal buyer-protection standards.
The rep cannot provide the early termination fee in dollar terms for your specific contract
ETF formulas are not proprietary information. Reps for every major provider are trained on their ETF structure. If a rep doesn’t know the ETF, they know buyers won’t like the number. Get the formula in writing before proceeding.
The rep describes equipment financing and monitoring as ‘all one payment’ without clarifying whether they are separate financial obligations
This phrasing is the most reliable precursor to the Vivint equipment loan surprise. Two separate contracts can produce one monthly invoice. Bundled billing does not mean bundled obligations. Ask the question directly.
The rep declines or is unable to provide the full service agreement before you sign
You have a legal right to see what you are signing before you sign it. Summary sheets, proposal PDFs, and verbal presentations are not the contract. If you cannot read the actual service agreement before committing, do not commit.
What to do when you hit a walk-away trigger
You don’t have to walk away permanently. You can step back, request written documentation by email or text, and revisit once you have it. A rep who is confident in what they’ve told you will have no objection to sending written confirmation. A rep who pushes back is telling you something important.
What reps leave vague — and why
These five topics are consistently handled vaguely in sales conversations — not always intentionally, but structurally. They are areas where the answer protects buyers and is therefore rarely volunteered.
Rate escalation
Most reps present the starting monthly rate as the permanent rate. The contract may contain language allowing 3–7% annual increases.
Ask: Show me the specific contract section about rate changes during the term.
Equipment financing separateness
Monthly billing may combine equipment and monitoring into one number. The underlying financial obligations may be legally separate.
Ask: Is equipment financing governed by a separate agreement from the monitoring contract? What is the name of the financing company?
Auto-renewal notice window
Most reps confirm that contracts have an end date but don’t mention the specific notice window before that date when cancellation must be initiated.
Ask: What is the specific deadline I must notify you by to prevent auto-renewal? Give me the calendar date based on my sign date.
Permit and activation fees
Activation fees ($99–$199) and municipal permit fees are often not included in the quoted monthly rate and not prominently disclosed on quote summaries.
Ask: Are there any fees that will appear on my first invoice that are not on this quote page?
What ‘no contract’ means for equipment
For Vivint specifically, ‘no monitoring contract’ is technically accurate — but equipment financing obligations are separate and survive monitoring cancellation.
Ask: If I cancel monitoring, does my equipment payment stop? Who would I continue paying and for how long?
When to use the Quote Decoder
This checklist is designed for the moment before you have anything in writing. Once you have written terms, the next tools become relevant:
Ask the 12 questions and get answers in writing
This page. Do this before agreeing to anything.
Once you have written terms, run the Quote Decoder
Paste any written text — quote summary, proposal, contract excerpt — into the decoder. It identifies risk flags across 7 categories before you commit.
If a specific claim needs verifying, use the claim validator
After hearing a specific rep statement, the claim validator walks you through how to confirm whether it’s accurate.
Once you have the full contract, use the contract reading guide
Plain-English translation of the 8 clauses that determine financial exposure, with brand-by-brand notes.
Run the Quote Decoder once you have something in writing
The decoder works on any written text: a quote summary PDF, a proposal email, a terms sheet, or a contract excerpt. Paste the text and it surfaces risk flags before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
Now that you have written answers — do this next
The checklist gets you answers in writing. Once you have them, these three steps turn that information into a go or no-go decision.
What to do next
Decode the written quote
Paste any written text — a quote summary, proposal, or contract excerpt — into the Quote Decoder. It flags risk signals across 7 categories: financing traps, ETF terms, cancellation risk, hidden fees, and more. Free, browser-based, nothing is stored.
Open Quote Decoder →Understand what the flags mean
Got a result you're not sure how to interpret? This guide explains what each risk level means, what each category checks, and exactly what to do next — by risk score.
How to interpret results →Read the full contract clause by clause
Once you have the actual service agreement, this guide covers the 8 clauses that determine your real financial exposure — ETF formula, auto-renewal, rate escalation, and the financing distinction.
Contract reading guide →Related buyer guides
Related reading: Quote Decoder — paste any written terms and surface risk flags before you sign · How to interpret Quote Decoder results — what each risk category means and what to do · Home security quote red flags — 7 warning signs to catch once you have a written quote · Validate a sales rep claim — how to fact-check a specific thing you were told · How to read a home security contract — plain-English guide to the 8 clauses that matter · ADT contract length — what the 36-month commitment really means financially · Vivint financing explained — Citizens Pay, the equipment loan, and the monitoring separation · ETF Calculator — model your exact exit cost at any month · Home security sales tactics — the 6 most common plays and how to counter them · Best no-contract home security systems — alternatives without long-term commitment
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