FAQ
Home Security FAQs
Find answers to common questions about residential and commercial security systems, video surveillance, access control, alarm monitoring, smart home security, installation, and ongoing support. EMI Security proudly serves homeowners and businesses throughout Virginia and North Carolina with customized security solutions designed for today's threats.
EMI Security home system installations vary based on your property size and coverage needs, with monthly monitoring starting at just $18/month for Basic Protection or $24/month for Smart Security with Total Connect 2.0 app access. Every quote is free with no obligation — call 866-623-2408 for a custom estimate.
Total Connect 2.0 is Honeywell's professional security app and web platfor, included with our Smart Security ($24/mo) and Smart Home ($30/mo) plans. It lets you arm/disarm your alarm, view cameras, control smart devices, manage user codes, and receive instant alerts from anywhere. Available on iOS, Android, or any web browser. Visit totalconnect2.com for more.
Ye, most home insurance providers in VA and NC offer 15–25% discounts for professionally monitored systems. For the average homeowner, that's $300–$700 saved every year. After installation, EMI provides documentation you can submit to your insurance for your discount.
Most residential installations are completed in 4–8 hours by our certified technicians. We schedule installs within 7 days of your free quote acceptance, sometimes same-week depending on availability.
Absolutely. EMI systems are built to scale. Start with what you need today, and add cameras, sensors, or smart home devices anytime. Video service can be added to Smart Security or Smart Home plans for just $6/month.
Standard service hours are Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM. After 5 PM, our answering service takes messages and we respond within 24 hours. On weekends and holidays, we respond within 48 hours. For urgent issues, the answering service routes critical calls appropriately.
Residential service calls are billed at $65/hour. Most issues are resolved on the first visit, and we provide transparent pricing before any work begins.
No long-term lock-in. EMI offers month-to-month monitoring plans, we earn your business every month, and that's exactly how it should be.
FAQ
Commercial Security FAQs
Commercial security pricing depends on facility size, number of cameras, access control needs, and monitoring tier. EMI commercial monitoring starts at just $18/month for Basic Protection or $24/month for Smart Security with Total Connect 2.0. Installation pricing is custom-quoted after a free on-site assessment, call 866-623-2408 for a detailed estimate.
Commercial service work is billed at $85/hour for a single technician or $150/hour for projects requiring 2–3 technicians. Standard service hours are M–F 8 AM–5 PM, with 24-hour after-hours response and 48-hour weekend/holiday response.
Yes. EMI specializes in multi-site commercial deployments across Virginia and North Carolina. We coordinate installations, standardize equipment and management interfaces through Total Connect 2.0, and provide centralized administration so you can manage every location from one platform.
Small business installs typically complete in 1–2 days. Mid-size operations take 3–5 days. Large multi-site deployments are scheduled phased rollouts. We schedule installations during off-hours or weekends whenever possible to minimize business disruption.
In most cases, yes. EMI installs on open-standard platforms (ONVIF, IP-based) that integrate with most existing surveillance, access control, and alarm systems. We'll review your current setup during the assessment and recommend what to keep, upgrade, or replace.
EMI takes network security seriously. All IP camera installations include network segmentation, encrypted data transmission, secure password policies, and regular firmware update protocols. We also provide guidance on integrating security systems safely with your existing IT infrastructure.
Yes. All EMI commercial alarm systems are paired with 24/7 central station monitoring with verified dispatch. For businesses requiring guaranteed response times, custom SLA agreements are available.
Yes. Every EMI commercial installation includes our lifetime workmanship guarantee plus manufacturer equipment warranties. Optional service agreements with priority response, regular system health checks, and proactive maintenance are available for businesses requiring maximum uptime.
Absolutely. All EMI commercial camera systems include secure remote access via desktop, web, and mobile app through Total Connect 2.0. Authorized users can live-view, search recordings, and manage the system from anywhere with proper credentials. Role-based permissions let you control who sees what.