Lighting Automation
Automated scenes, schedules, and mood lighting — controlled from anywhere.
Tutorials
An alarm for a flat or a house
A flat needs the door, one motion sensor, and a leak sensor. A house adds the yard, where a cheap sensor lies because of the cat.
Jun 10, 2026 · NextTek
Short answer: an alarm is not a siren for the whole stairwell. In a flat, fit a door contact, one motion sensor in the hall, and a leak sensor under the sink. A house adds the yard, but the sensor has to be tuned or the cat and the branches will call every night.
A flat
Two things bother you: someone at the door, and water at the neighbour's. A motion sensor in the middle of the living room is for the light, not for security, if you sit there. A camera in the stairwell is the building's decision. Inside, sensors are often enough.
A house
Gate, shed, and yard. A cheap outdoor motion sensor sees everything that moves. A proper one can ignore a low height, and we test that on site. A siren at home plus a message to you. The box does not call the police by itself.
Wireless if you already live there
In an occupied flat we start with battery sensors by the router. During a renovation a cable for the siren can go into an open wall. Without internet the siren can still sound. The phone message leaves when the link returns.
Say what has already happened, instead of buying the biggest kit. More on the alarm page.
Short answers
Does the alarm call the police?
No. You get a message on your phone and decide what to do. If you want someone to drive out, a monitoring station is a separate contract with a security firm.
Where does the leak sensor go?
Under the trap, the washing machine, the dishwasher or the boiler, on the floor. That is where water shows up first. In the middle of the kitchen it only alerts once everything is wet.
Does the sensor react to a cat?
A cheap sensor reacts to anything that moves, cats included. A proper one can be set to pet mode or to ignore low height. That is tested on site, not taken from the box.
Does the alarm work without internet?
The siren at home can still go off without internet. The phone message goes out once the link is back. If you need it at once, add a backup mobile link.
Wireless or wired alarm?
In a lived-in flat, start with battery sensors so no walls get opened. During a renovation, while the wall is open, run a cable for the siren. The sensors can stay wireless.
How long does a sensor battery last?
Often a year or two, depending on the sensor and how often it reports. Better if the system warns you about a low battery, rather than you finding out afterwards.
Want this in your home?
Tell us what you have now. We will answer with a next step, not a catalogue.