(Added Nov 29/11) Purchased with new home, system was free with required contract for monitoring (purchase option was not available). I purchased the system because I have a son with autism and wanted to be able to monitor doors and windows. We never armed the system in 4 years. The contract was to put a monitor on every entrance / exit, but they didn't put it on the code required egress window of our basement (which didn't matter much to me since I didn't buy it for security, but I can see where that could be an issue).  After the contract ended, we turned the monitoring off and were told that we'd have to pay $75 to keep the chime turned on. I'd give Guardian a 1.5 out of 5 stars.

(Added Oct 27/11) A "protection" company rises or falls on how it treats its customers. My story, in August of 2011 we experienced a lightning strike at our home. All power was out and the alarm was screaming, could not turn it off as the control panel was dead. So, here we are in the dark an alarm screaming. The central alarm staff was totally useless, one time we were hung up on, the second guy said, "I'll see if I can find a technician to call you". Finally I took the alarm panel apart found a battery and disconnected it. Next came three (yes 3) very expensive visits to our house to repair the system, at a cost of $895.37. BTW the first and free visit was eaten up by a technician who came to the house and said, "Yup, its bad". Thanks for the info I said. My insurance company called the charges excessive. (by comparison, phone company was $52, directv was $49.95) When I complained Guardian said if I extended my contract another 3 years they would cut the bill in halve. Why would I extend the contract with a company who is totally unresponsive in an emergency and then grossly overcharges for service. This company is strictly out to get your money. Also beware you must cancel your service in writing, in advance, with your password,(use notarized letter, that they have to sign for) or you will be paying forever.

(Added Oct 21/11) DO NOT PURCHASE THIS SERVICE YOU WILL REGRET!!!! the worst customer service (if you can even call it that) that i have ever experienced. The system is junk. I had the alarm for 1 week my cat kept activating the alarm (after i was told the motion detector will not activate from cats/dogs due to body temp being higher than humans and the weight). NOT TRUE!!!! i've been stuck with this system that i cannot use unless i pay them $250 to cancel - have been trying to resolve this since March 2011 (protection source does not return calls - supplier to guardian and they hold your contract for the 1st year - Jean Marie actully screamed at me) it is now Oct 2011 i am working directly with guardian no luck - the door sensors are very cheap and fall off all of the time, motion is a joke if you have pets...i was told they would stop charging my account automatically yet another one of the many many lies...this is going to be a huge waste of your time, money and sanity go with anyone BUT guardian they do not have quality systems they do not stand by their product and they will lie to you about everything just to get your $.

(Added Sep 20/11) I have Guardian install in my house in 2009 I was doing some work in my house the Guardian worker unplug mu alarm I don't have alRm for 8 month they tell me I have to pay by hour. Like $80 for them come out I tell the lady on the phone he disconnect it lady I don't have alarm for 8month I be paying $134 every 3 month and no alarm is he that turn it off why I have to pay for ur mistake she say o well that is are police I you don't have. The extra cover and you still have 48 month left on your contract

(Added Sep 1/11) I had a 3 year contract with Guardian when I purchased this home from Ryan Homes. Some time ago, I had called to inquire on the contract end date but wasn't informed that I had to call within 30 days to cancel.  There was no notice of the end of the contract.  When I called today, I was told that I had exceeded the 30 days cancellation period and I am automatically renewed for another 3 years.  I have to paid for 3 years of service to cancel the contact.  What a low life business practice.

(Added Aug 24/11) We moved into a home and found that every 12 hours or less, an alarm sounds...it's 5 short beeps, repeated every 60 seconds.  For sure it will start at 7am and 7pm. Sometimes it happens in between.  We can push buttons to try to turn it off but we do not know the code, and Guardian has only told us to (1) unplug it; (2) must have a backup battery...remove it (near the ceiling in the garage and I can't reach it),(3) call a neighbor to come and turn it off because lots of people in our neighborhood have Guardian, or (4) they would be happy to come out and disarm it for us for $85.  We have been turning it off every 12 hours and often in between for 2 months now.   We work the swing shift (4-midnight), and having it wake us up at 7am every day is making it hard to keep our eyes open driving the 45 minutes home every night. I'm 65 and disabled, but if I could reach it I would rip the thing off the wall and deliver it to them in pieces.

(Added Aug 24/11) Guardian is not a company you want to get in bed with.  I am attempting to cancel my contract.  We are in year 3 of a 5 year contract.  When I called them they did give me a buy out number of almost $1400.  I was expecting to pay for about $400 to get out of this contract.  THe additional money was for a clause that indicates the company is owed for taking over my system.  The number is a fixed amount and does not change throughout the period of the contract.  I own the system as it was installed in the house when I bought it new so how does Guardian feel the right to charge me $900 for a takeover fee of something that all they did was to put in a simple cell monitoring device.  I would assume the $900 was to add components to a system so they could take over a system not the fact they just want to be punitive  The person I talked with was worthless in helping and would not consider prorating the charge.  DO not deal with these people.

(Added Aug 18/11) We have had Guardian Protection Services (Pittsburgh, PA) for 5 years and today I called them to ask them to cancel our security system because my husband is out of work and we can't afford the payments. They resolutely will not stop the alarm system and said in order to get out of my contract I had to pay them the remainder of my 5 year contract (which was renewed in 2010)which comes to $897. They said that "legally" they couldn't cancel my alarm system. I am furious. If they sue me, they will ruin my husband's credit (and mine). But what are they going to get out of me, when I can't even afford the $22/month payment? I wish I knew if they were serious. It just seems very very mean to do to us, when we are struggling right now. I would NOT recommend this company at all. I mean, they were fine, up until I wanted to cancel the contract.

(Added Aug 16/11) I was pressured into getting this service. As a first time homebuyer, I was having a house built and as I went in to choose my flooring and cabinets and so forth, Guardian was there as part of the set up. I had to see them first before doing anything else. I am now being sued by them for lack of payment. After reading all the comments here, I can't wait to get home and look for that contract I signed with them. Good luck to everyone.

(Added Aug 15/11) I do not recommend.  At all.  Once you hire them to monitor, they control you.  They are always in control and do not budge at all to provide good service.  They know they have all the control and so they just keep repeating their "policy" and do not even listen to your situation.  This has happened to me on 2 separate occasions, so it is not just a knee-jerk reaction on my part.  I had to wait out my 3-year contract so I could get rid of them, and it made me angry to pay the bill each month.  Do not use this company.

(Added Aug 14/11) I have had nothing but problems with Guardian Protection Services, the latest of which is that I received a bill from a collection agency for failure to pay, even though  I am on their AUTO DRAFT. It now says we owe $1800 and they won't fix the issue internally until I pay the collection agency!!!! It's an internal mistake that they can't change until the bill (which is $200 owed, but they are charging for the remainder of the contract)is paid??? We have had fines from the city of Austin because Guardian's key fob didn't work correctly and the panic alarm would go off without pushing it. After two false panic alarms, the city charges you $100. We ended up owing $600. I had to take all of my information to the city to talk them down to $200. I had a service call receipt that said they had fixed the key fob when they didn't and that is the only thing that saved me the $400. They have had the wrong number in their system to contact us if an alarm went off, they have had the wrong address at one point. When I've asked to test my system, they've told me it was turned off and I can test, and next thing you know, there is a cop knocking on my door, yes, another $100 from the City. I don't blame the city. I blame Guardian and they do nothing about it. I can't get out of my contract until February and I will be DANCING the day I never have to pay them another cent. They are the worst service I have ever encountered out of ANY service, not just alarm systems. Do not use them unless you want to lose a lot of time and money for the next three years of your life.

(Added Aug 14/11) I recently had to sell my home in Zionsville, IN and moved to Aurora, CO due to job relocation. I currently renting a one bed room apt. I called to cancel my service with Guardian Protection Services because my situation has fundamentally changed and we no longer have monitoring needs.  I spoke to the Guardian Customer Support. During our converstation they informed me that I am in contract with them for 5 years, and need to pay for 5 years service to break the contract, or suggested me to take the security alarm to the new location. I also informed them that our new location doesn't allow to install any security system. After arguing with them for nearly an hr, Customer Support asked me to submit the online declaration form. I did that thinking that they will cancell my service. But I am still receiving a stament everymonth asking for service fee which I am not receiving. Everytime I call them they respond by saying you are in a contract and you need to pay for that. Not sure what action I need to take.  I can tell you that you'd probably get better terms from the mob.   My advice to anyone considering Guardian Protection Services is, know who you are dealing with.  They will try to extract as much money out of you as possible.  They are not on your side.  You will need a protection service to protect you from Guardian.  As a customer facing a major corporation, you are at a major disadvantage

(Added Aug 14/11) In 2008 I was beginning a divorce, I called Guardian to activate a monitoring of my house alarm system. Because I was divorcing and unsure of my location within the year I requested only a year contract. At the end of the year I called to cancel and was told that all contracts were for 5 years! I explained to the rep that mine was made for only a year and asked for a copy of the contract to be sent to me. I then looked for my copy and could not find it unfortunately. A few days later I recieved a call from Guardian stating that they had reviewed the contract and it had been altered from 5 years to 3 years, again I disagreed and was told too bad and if I wanted to terminate early I was still responsible for the full 3 years.....what could I do. They then sent me a copy of the contract that was so shrunk down it was impossible to read. After 3 years I called to cancel many times just to make sure. The serviceman came to my house to disconnect the monitoring. That night I went to arm my alarm and found that the entire system had been disconnected! I called the next morning and was told that is what they do, I said it was functioning prior to their monitoring and I wanted it returned to the same condition it was working in before their services began, she said too bad and it would cost me $75.00 to have it reconnected. Again what could I do, nowhere in the contract did it state this, again I was told this is what they do. Now they are billing me for $5.75 in taxes they apparently 'forgot' to bill me earlier. Well guess what folks!....I was going thru some divorce paperwork and found my copy of the contract! And it was for 1 year, without many of the alterations on it! I now have proof that Guardian is guilty of fraud and intend to take them to civil court to be reimbursed for the 2 years they fraudulently forced me to continue their services, in addition to the $75.00 and anything else I can find. Anyone care to join me?

(Added May 3/11) I had Guardian services for 3 years as per my contract.  I fulfilled my contract and decided to terminate it.  I phoned their company a few months after the 3-year mark and was told that it was automatically renewed for another three years.  I told them this was wrong, but she said it was stated in the contract.  I told her to note it in my records that I want to terminate my contract at the conclusion of the next 3 year commitment, so now I have given them a 2 ½ year notification!  She sent me a copy of my contract and sure enough it states an automatic 3-year renewal policy.  The funny thing is that I STILL have to notify them within 30 days of its expiration, so if I forget 2 ½ years later, it’s going to be renewed again.  Stay away for this type of hose job!

(Added Dec 26/10) We recently moved from Cincinnati to New Jersey due to job relocation....(read the whole review)

(Added Nov 24/10) Be aware - if you sign a contract with Guardian and move to a location that they do not serve, you will be held to your contract. I recently moved from Maryland to North Carolina. When I called Guardian to inquire about services in the Asheville area, the CS rep assured me that they could monitor my system, but one of their local third party installers would have to set me up. After six weeks of waiting for this local installer to return my calls, I finally gave up and went with CPI, a local company in my area.  Guardian flat out refused to let me out of my contract and I was never able to get past the "gatekeepers" in CS to speak with someone who could override their policy. This situation dragged out for 7 months until I finally paid them off to preserve my credit.  I would not advise anyone to do business with Guardian Protection Services. They are extremely rigid and unreasonable. They will hold you to your end of the contract, but do not hold themselves responsible for services not rendered.

(Added Nov 16/10) We built a house in a neighborhood where the builders worked directly with Guardian Protection....(read the whole review)

(Added Nov 16/10) We had an alarm system installed by Guardian August of 2010....(read the whole review)

(Added Sept 11/10) Before my husband deployed to Iraq in December 2008, he had Guardian install an alarm system in the home we were renting. Seven months later I received a notice from the company I was renting with that the owners were returning to Fort Hood, TX and would need their house, we had to move. I contacted my sales rep Ariel and arranged my services to be transferred to the new rental property. A week after moving in I had yet to have my security system installed, I called my rep who came out and requested I sign a new contract to transfer my services with no fees or extension of my 36month contract. Two days later I was contacted by a sales rep from their headquarters in Delaware and informed that the contract I signed two days prior was null and void because my sales rep made a mistake. In order to carry my services to the new location I had to pay $600 plus extend my contract an additional 6 months. I was infuriated because I misinformed and tricked. I specifically asked Guardian's sales rep, if we moved if we could carry our services and what it would cost us and she barefacedly told me it would not cost a thing. So basically I have been paying $130 quarterly for services I AM NOT receiving, in the sake of honoring my order my contract and not be charged a helluva money to break it and be rid of them. I would highly suggest people to stay AWAY from this company. Do not do business with Guardian Protection Services. They are liars and have no morals, very unethical company.

(Added Aug 25/10) We purchased a new home (Ryan) and moved in May '10.  The builder put us in contact with Guardian (yes it's the right company based in Pa.) They prewired the home for the alarm plus cable and Cat 5 lines and since we didn't plan to have a land line, the alarm system was planned for cellular service only.  Since being activated, it's nothing but problems.  First technican couldn't get the cell phone to work, a month later, they finally returned with another phone and installed that.  Five days later the system went down. A technican came out and replaced the keypad.  A couple of weeks later the system went down again.  Another technician who switched to alternate wiring they had installed.  A couple more weeks and system is down again with bad cell phone signal.  I've never armed the system because I don't trust it to not wake us with false alarms. Too bad I'm stuck with this lemon for the length of the contract. Maybe I can hang a picture over the alarm pad.

(Added July 26/10) I do NOT recommend Guardian protection services.  When I had the salesperson come to my house, he was a very unprofessional but I overlooked that because I was interested in getting an alarm system.  I've had 2 instances where my sensors stopped working and had to pay to have them fixed.  Once, when I was in Europe, my alarm kept going off unprovoked, and the police at to disable it, leaving my house unprotected for weeks because of Guardian's poor equipment.  My biggest complaint with this company is their absurd cancellation policy, which was NOT ONCE mentioned by their sales rep.  It would cost me about $1800 to cancel my service with them.  This kind of highway robbery should be explicitely explained by the sales rep at the time of sale, not buried in microscopic print on the back of the paper.  I am very disappointed with this company, would never recommend them to anyone, and plan to cancel my service with them the very first chance I am able to.

(Added July 26/10) I recently purchased a new home and as a first time home buyer....(read the whole review)

(Added June 24/10) I am in the Army and before my second deployment to Iraq, we....(read the whole review)

(Added May 27/10) Warn people to beware of the small print.  Guardian (Protection Services) bought out the small company we had install our system.  They told us there would be no change with our service.  They did not tell us that when they switched over our service and we signed the contractors document that we were also signing a five year contract – that we did not have with our previous company.  We sold our house a year ago and we are still paying for service for a house we do not own !! We will never use Guardian again !!

(Added Mar 24/10) I was a Guardian Protection customer in Pennsylvania and I recently just moved to the Chicago area. I never had any complaints about the service there but I wanted to speak with several companies here to price out my options.  I met with representatives from ADT , Broadview as well. I found them to be very pushy after I told them I previously had guardian and they said the response time was slow. I told them I had guardian and that i was always called immediately but Both reps spent the first 10 minutes ripping the other companies. I asked my neigbor what she thought of ADT and she said they raised her rate every year. The rep from guardian was very kind and respected the competition but seemed more focused on protecting my family and home. He took care of my house and than my neigbor switched to guardian as well. We are both very happy with Guardian and my rate hasn't changed.

(Added Mar 15/10) They have been undependable ex.:  we answered their call when the alarm got triggered accidentally and tried to call them back.  To no avail - they sent the police.  Then when we first had the contract set up as a takeover from ADT, they offered to switch out the keypad and we said, no don't bother, it still works fine.  Well, later, they said that the replacement would be $135 just for the k.p. when the numbers started malfunctioning. Asked for buyout and it was more than the contract.  And make sure you give them 30 days notice to cancel.  If you forget: Send a letter to the company's president with these options:  They either cancel contract immediately with no penalty or service fees, or you will go to small claims court and file a complaint with BBB.  Also, complain to your city attorney and city company is licensed in.

(Added Mar 9/10) In the past I had an ADT Security system. Once their contract expired Guardian contacted me with a 6 month free offer, and then $25 a month. I thought it's pretty good and signed the deal. Right after six month my alarm started going off in the middle of night. When I called they said it will cost me if they come to check it. They gave me a reason that my system was old (from ADT) and it's not covered. Anyways, I ended up signing a warranty contract with them for $9.95 a month. Can you beleive that. With ADT I had same plan for $4.95. They said you have old system that's why it cost more. Couple of weeks ago one night our system displayed a fault at 1:30(AM). Their technician came and found that their wires were connected wrong out side the house and charged us. This is totally absurd. I am paying $10 /month for warranty and this company says that someone at 1:30 in the night changed your wires so we will charge you for the trip. I am done with these guys. I am taking my warranty off, not going to use their system, pay until my contract expires in 8/11 and will never use them or recommend them for any friends.

(Added Mar 4/10) (Guardian Employee) Not long ago I discovered this site and found it rather interesting because it seems that every company on here has the....(read the whole review)

(Added Jan 8/10) I read through all these and can only think that these must be submitted by adt or broadview sales reps. The reason I say this is I have a Guardian Protection System and absolutley think they can't be touched. Yes there is a 5 year contract that helps more than it hurts. I had ADT when i first installed there equipment was poorly installed and for a period of time i was paying for monitoring and (upon being burglarized) discovered I was paying for nothing. And they raised my monitoring rate up a few bucks every year i had them. So I switched to Guardian that had a takeover program that not only saved me loads of money it, locked my rate in and they can't raise the price! Are you kidding. If you want a security system go with the guys who do what they say there gonna do ,and have a quality product. As they say no such thing as free or too good to be true. Remember this when adt tells you "no equipment cost", cause you definitely get what you pay for.

(Added Oct 24/09) I called Guardian Protection Services today to have them conduct a test on my system because....(read the whole review)

(Added Sept 1/09) (Updated Jan 22/10) Guardian wants us to pay $1,049.40 to cancel. We had Guardian once they built our house. They automatically renew their contract without any kind of notice. Now we are stuck with Guardian and I guess we just have to pay them so they can do this to all people =) NICE! Update: Guardian is still charging me every month.  I am paying them for nothing since Platinum installed their systems. I have told them to pick up their system but they are not willing too until I pay $1,049.40 for the rest of 10 years. Contract should only be for five years.

(Added Aug 13/09) I purchased my alarm system from Protection Source outright in 2006.  Last year Guardian Protection Services bought out Protection Source.  In August 2009 one of my sensors quit working.  I asked Guardian Protection Services to provide me with the installer code so I could take that sensor off line and replace it.  Guardian Protection Services insisted that they have their repair man come out to fix it.  They wanted to price gouge me on the repair. Since this has happened I wanted to change monitoring companies but was unable to do so without the installer code.  Since I was under no contract and owned my system outright, and was only paying for the monitoring service monthly.  They should have provided me with my installer code, because without it it makes my privately owned system useless, because it prevents me from changing to another monitoring service.  In effect they were trying to hold me hostage.

(Added July 28/09) If you live in PA, the Attorney General recently passed very strict laws to protect home improvement....(read the whole review)

(Added July 21/09) They also tricked me into signing a 5yr contract.. there is no cancellation process or early termination process.. you are stuck with paying for 5yrs even if you move and don't need the service anymore! Stay away from this company!

(Added June 19/09) They have a contract that locks you in for 5 years,  If you don't cancel the contract in writing 30 days before the end of your contract you will automatically be signed up for another 5 years. Dreadful company.  STAY AWAY FROM GUARDIAN.  They are expensive and the only way they can maintain customers is to trick them into long term agreements.  There are plenty of companies out there that provide a service that can be cancelled at any time without penalty.

(Added June 6/09) We've used Guardian for many years.  We're monitored out of Pittsburgh, PA.  They have always been easy to work with:  responsive, helpful, and professional.  We have no reason to change!

(Added June 1/09) 10 years and running.  Professional install.  Quick response to alarms and trouble signals.  One night, recently, the window sensor fell off (after 10 years mind you) and before I figured out what happend, they called.  They've been awesome.  I'll stay with them forever.  Fairly inexpensive too.

(Added Mar 31/09) I have been a satisfied customer of Guardian Protection Services for years...  I was a customer of theirs when I lived in Pittsburgh, where their corporate headquarters is located, and recently when I moved to Phoenix, I was extremely happy to find out that they had a fully opperational branch to serve my market. They sent a gentleman to my house, who was extremely professional, knowledgeable, and friendly.  I actually enjoyed the period of time we spent together as we discussed the best ways in which I could secure my home.  The technician that they sent to install my system, was polite and well mannered.  He was quickly able to install and test the system, all while making himself a friend to my dog and children.  The system works wonderfully, I haven't had a single false alarm, and I sleep more soundly knowing that Guardian is there to protect my family. After speaking with the sales rep, who stopped by after the install to see how everything went, I realized that Guardian Protection was the company that I wanted to secure my new business as well.  They were able to install a great system, and this awesome video surveillance equipment that I can view from anywhere in the world.  I am not one to normally gush over a good company, but the level of service and expertise that I recieved while dealing with Guardian Protection Services is second to none.  I would reccomend them to anyone who is considering security for their business or home.

(Added Mar 12/09) Guardian can't perform- Scheduled an appointment resulting in a no show. I had to call the company 3 times during day to learn that they were not going to make the appointment. Who wants a security company that can't keep their word? Wasted entire day and never received one phone call from the company. Tell your friends and family to stay away from these people; it will be a waste of time and money.