Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

In 1969, the federal government announced that it would hand out millions of dollars in subsidies to companies willing to try something new: build houses in factories.

Then as now, America was in the throes of a housing crisis. There werent enough places to live. Mass production provided Americans with abundant and cheap food, clothing, cars and other staples of material life. But houses were still hammered together by hand, on site. The federal initiative, Operation Breakthrough, aimed to drive up the production of housing and to drive down the cost by dragging the building industry into the 20th century.

It didnt work. Big companies, including Alcoa and General Electric, designed new kinds of houses, and roughly 25,000 rolled out of factories over the following decade. But none of the new home builders long survived the end of federal subsidies in the mid-1970s.

Last year, only 2 percent of new single-family homes in the United States were built in factories. Two decades into the 21st century, nearly all U.S. homes are still built the old-fashioned way: one at a time, by hand. Completing a house took an average of 8.3 months in 2022, a month longer than it took to build a house of the same size back in 1971.

Federal housing policy in the decades since the failure of Operation Breakthrough has focused myopically on providing financial aid to renters and homeowners. The government needs to return its attention to the supply side. Opening land for development, for example by easing zoning restrictions, is part of the answer, but reducing building costs could be even more constructive. Land accounts for roughly 20 percent of the price of a new house; building costs account for 60 percent. (The price of land is a larger factor in coastal cities like New York, but a vast majority of new housing in the United States is built on cheap land outside cities.)

The tantalizing potential of factory-built housing, also known as modular housing, continues to attract investors and entrepreneurs, including a start-up called Fading West that opened a factory in 2021 in the Colorado mountain town of Buena Vista. But Fading West, and similar start-ups in other parts of the country, need government help to drive a significant shift from handmade housing to factories. This time, there is reason to think it could work.

On a windy morning last month, I watched as wooden platforms the size of train cars moved down the Fading West assembly line, advancing to a new station every few hours as workers added walls and windows, wiring and insulation, dishwashers and cabinets. The finished boxes are trucked to building sites and swung into place by cranes. Houses consist of two to four boxes. Once theyre knitted together, the result looks like a traditional home.

Charlie Chupp, the chief executive, previously ran a company that built and shipped all the pieces of new stores for Starbucks, Einstein Bros. Bagels and other restaurant chains. Fading West is seeking to apply a similar model to building homes and apartments. We see ourselves as being in manufacturing, not construction, says Eric Schaefer, a former pastor who is now the companys chief evangelist, bending the ear of politicians, reporters and developers about the potential benefits of mass production and the changes necessary to support it.

Final assembly happens so quickly that it almost seems like a magic trick. In Poncha Springs, a town 30 minutes south of Buena Vista, I watched as a crane swung a 19,894-pound box over a concrete foundation. A worker on each corner checked the fit while two more waited in the basement to connect it to the foundation. As it was secured, a truck arrived with the next box.

The team of eight workers has sometimes assembled four houses in a single day.

Joanna Schwartz, the chief executive of Quartz Properties, which is using Fading Wests boxes to build the homes, said buyers sometimes come to see the show. They didnt have a house in the morning and then in the afternoon they can walk through it, she said.

Fading West says houses from its factory can be completed in as little as half the time and at as little as 80 percent of the cost of equivalent handmade homes, in part because the site can be prepared while the structure is built in the factory. A 2017 analysis by the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley, found similar savings for the construction of three- to five-story apartment buildings using modular components.

Factory building has other advantages, too. It can reduce waste, maintain higher standards of consistency and produce homes that are more energy efficient. It is not subject to rain delays.

It also offers a solution to the home-building industrys growing problems finding enough qualified workers, especially in high-cost areas. Manufacturers like Fading West can build where labor is cheaper and then ship homes to the places where people want to live.

But there are good reasons modular housing has remained the next big thing for a long time.

One basic problem is that houses are large objects, and unlike cars or airplanes, they are not designed to move. The result is that the savings from factory production are partly offset by the cost of transportation. (Some companies reduce transportation costs by shipping homes in smaller pieces, an approach pioneered by Sears and other retailers of build your own home kits in the early 20th century, but that just shifts the cost from transportation to assembly.)

The volatility of the housing market is also a problem. Traditional home builders rely on contract workers who are easily dismissed during downturns. Factory builders, which have high fixed costs, tend to go bankrupt. Housing downturns have ended a long line of ambitious and well-funded efforts to create the Model T of the housing industry. In 2006, on the cusp of the most recent housing crash, factory builders produced more than 70,000 homes. Since the crisis and the resulting wipeout, annual production has not exceeded 30,000 houses.

Neither volatility nor transportation costs might matter if factory home builders could match the efficiency gains found in other kinds of mass production. Brian Potter, a senior infrastructure fellow at the Institute for Progress, a nonpartisan think tank focused on technological innovation, gives the example of the Ford Taurus. Experimental models of the 1996 Taurus were built by hand, which cost almost half a million dollars per car. The car eventually retailed for less than $20,000.

Factory home builders have struggled to streamline construction. Mr. Potter spent several years looking for ways to make housing construction more efficient, an effort he narrated on a fascinating blog, before concluding that significant progress wasnt likely. Almost any idea that you can think of for a way to build a single-family home cheaper has basically been tried, and there was probably a company that went bankrupt trying to do it, Mr. Potter told me.

I think the history of the auto industry provides reason for more optimism. One lesson is that progress requires production at scale. There are a handful of car companies that each make millions of cars, and hundreds of home builders building a few hundred homes a year. Fading West, which aims to produce as many as 1,000 homes a year, says that isnt enough to justify investments in automation.

Efficiency gains also come from doing the same thing over and over again, but the idiosyncrasies of local building codes make that impossible. In Colorado alone, by Mr. Schaefers count, there are more than 300 distinct building codes, requiring adjustments for each new batch of homes. Fading West found that it had to use different roof designs for homes headed to the city of Fairplay and to a development just outside the city, because the county has stricter snow load regulations.

A sequel to Operation Breakthrough could help the industry overcome those challenges. The Canadian governments Rapid Housing Initiative is providing support for large-scale modular manufacturing by setting tight construction deadlines for affordable housing projects that obtain government funding, an approach the United States could emulate on an even larger scale.

The government also can push for the standardization of building materials and building regulations. Herbert Hoover, the great champion of industrial standardization, who during his years as commerce secretary in the 1920s worked successfully to establish uniform rules for products such as paving bricks, milk bottles and blackboards, argued that establishing consistent standards was the nearest thing to a free lunch. It would increase productivity, benefiting companies, workers and customers. Florida and California will always have somewhat different building codes, because hurricanes and earthquakes pose different challenges. But there is no reason for Colorado to have 300 different codes.

If it seems far-fetched that the government could revolutionize the home-building business, take a look at what sits on top of a growing number of American homes. The government has driven the spread and driven down the cost of solar panels through decades of investment and subsidies.

Its time to pay similar attention to the buildings underneath.

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Opinion | Why Do We Build Houses in the Same Way That We Did 125 Years Ago? - The New York Times

Hi, I am Hobot-R3 window cleaning robot, and I am here to help you clean those filthy windows. Little does it know that while it is an enthusiastic and tireless cleaner, I am not.

You see, I know that it will politely ask me to move it to the next pane of glass every few minutes, which is a pain in the *rse. OK, lets get serious Hobot-R3 makes me get off my *rse and clean the glass, frames, flyscreens, and more. And that is a good thing as we live by the sea, and it is amazing how much salt deposits get on the glass.

Most would answer when you cannot see out of them. Unless, of course, you have a million-dollar view, and then you can afford to pay for a cleaner.

The Architectural Digest states at least twice a year in established suburbia and at least four times a year within 1km of the sea, river, or dry/dusty area.

What comprises window washing? No, it is not a quick pressure hose, as that leaves water spots and streaks. It is not a quick wipe with a cloth/squeegee with a window cleaning solution, as that does not remove grime. It is the application of muscle and a final polish to remove streaks. Importantly, do it on a cooler, low-humidity, windless day.

If your windows are dirty, using water or a cleaning solution makes mud! Professional window cleaners recommend you vacuum the glass first. And remember, every story has two sides inside and outside.

We have reviewed a few glass-cleaning robots, so we wrote a guide to help us assess the relative merits. Read Window cleaning robots sparking windows can be easy.

Spoiler alert Hobot-R3 is pretty good, especially for dirty windows.

We use Fail (below expectations), Pass (meets expectations) and Exceed (surpasses expectations or is the class leader) against many of the items below. We occasionally give a Pass(able) rating that is not as good as it should be and a Pass + rating to show it is good but does not quite make it to Exceed. You can click on most images for an enlargement.

I have been using a Hobot 388 window cleaning robot since mid-2021, so I know what to expect from a dual rotating mop pad robot. It is nice that it has upgraded from one to two ultrasonic misting spray nozzles and added some basic intelligence via an App. Still, the 388 has done everything I asked of it.

The Hobot App for Android or iOS is benign and only collects information needed for its operation. It enables firmware updates, and you can use the Hobot-R3 without the app or the remote control just by pressing the start button.

The best description is:

If you have dirty windows, it recommends using two passes. The first with spray-off is to remove dust and avoid mud. The second with spray-on cuts grime and cleans/polishes. Or you can pressure wash first, and after the water has dried (important as the pads streak if wet), do the second run only.

If you are doing a maintenance clean, then one pass with a spray-on is fine.

We strongly recommend using any AC-powered device outside with an HPM Electresafe Power Centre it has an RCBO (Residual Current Breaker with Overload) to stop anyone from getting electrocuted by detecting a ground leakage.

Its 295 148 95mm x 915g. The height means you may need to remove flyscreens.

The top rotating pad is mainly used to climb crablike up windows and to polish the glass after the bottom pad cleans them. They dont constantly rotate as such but adhere to the glass gecko-like.

No matter where you start it on the pane, it will first climb to the top of the frame and clean along that. It then crabwalks down the glass and moves from one side to the other before moving down again and rinse and repeat.

All glass gets at least two passes one from the bottom pad and one from the dry top pad.

The glass must be >3mm and flat, transparent, coloured, or opaque. It can have a slight tilt we tested it to about +/-30.

To start, switch it on, hold it against the glass and press the start/pause button. To release, press the power button.

Other uses: It will clean glass pool fences, shower screens, tiled benchtops (works horizontally, too), and splashbacks. While it has pressure change and edge detection, please keep it away from frameless glass edges.

These are microfibre and are not meant to be damp if they are, you get streaks. Hobot provides six pairs; you change them every 15-20m2 depending on the dirt and if you see streaks. The pads are hand or machine-washable (<40). I use a Dishmatic Dish brush with a general-purpose pad and some dishwashing detergent to clean the pads and then wring and air dry.

It is not so much AI as smart algorithms assist in preventing falls and cleaning all glass to a pre-set pattern.

We found that placing the Hobot-R3 at the top of the glass was best to save time in climbing up and then cleaning downwards.

In all the time I have used a Hobot window cleaner, it has not fallen. But that is not an invitation to be blas about it either. The 4m carabiner rope should be used whenever there is a risk. For example, cleaning tall windows where a fall onto a hard surface could break it.

It is not always easy to find a tie-off point either. Some use a pool-cleaning pole; others place old pillows under the window to break the fall.

Pure, clean water is fine but has no cutting power. Hobot Window detergent comes in a five-pack for $60 (special $55) plus shipping. Given its frugal use, stick with this instead of trying to find an alternative.

It does a 2100 x 650mm (1.365m2) window in 4.5 minutes. It is no louder than a conversation 70dB at 1m.

Given that we prepped the external dirty glass with a pressure wash, it only needed one pass to clean the windows, leaving them streak-free. Like most windows robots, it cannot remove bird poop, insect impacts, paint splatter and gunk. You should remove these first with a razor blade scraper.

We did not prep the internal glass, and one pass was fine.

Of course, we had to clean the frames, edges and corners to finish manually, but the result was better than a cloth, squeegee, and hard work.

Apart from cleaning the mop pads, wipe over the unit and store it. If you dont use it for three months, top up the battery charge.

The water tank and nozzles are user-replaceable. This is good for longevity.

For our purposes and environment, a rotating mop cleaner is best. That does not detract from the excellent platen Hobot S2, perfect for well-maintained windows.

The App reminds me to clean every three months now damned app. But quarterly maintenance is easier than annual back-breaking work.

Definite yes. Not because I am lazy but because it does all the windows, balcony glass, pool glass fence, and more, some of which are way outside my comfort zone. And because my neighbour borrows mine all the time.

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Hobot-R3 window cleaning robot does a great job (cleaning review) - CyberShack

Are you a homeowner, property manager, or just interested in learning best practices for maintaining a healthy living space? Then this online Zoom conference on air duct cleaning and mold remediation will be your perfect guide.

Our webinar aims to address such queries: Where do I find top-notch air duct cleaning near me?" and looks forward to introducing experts from Pure Airways Duct Cleaning Dallas who will share valuable insights from years of experience in the field.

The spotlight of our sessions will focus on steps towards achieving healthier indoor air quality, starting with your duct and vent systems. Proper maintenance goes beyond simple cleaning - it's about enhancing room comfort while also reducing energy expenses.

Next, we'll delve into mold-related issues that can infest any home unnoticed. Its crucial to have an understanding of home mold remediation techniques; whether you're dealing with black mold or just musty odors, prompt and effective action is vital. For this topic, we've got industry professionals from Pure Airways Duct Cleaning Dallas leading the charge. They'll walk you through their comprehensive approach to mold remediation in Dallas style!

From initial inspection methods to rigorous clean-up procedures, well equip participants with a thorough knowledge base designed to improve ones indoor environment significantly.

This informative session will pave the way toward better indoor health right at your fingertips. After all, clean indoor air is not a luxury but a necessity! If you're ever perplexed thinking about tackling issues related to air ducts or mold remediation in-house, don't fret; our upcoming online event should provide plenty of answers.

We encourage attendees to come prepared with questions or concerns related to these topics ahead of time so they can be addressed during our Q&A segment.

Remember, awareness is the first step to action. So while you stay tuned for more information on our floating date and time, mentally prepare yourself to absorb the ins and outs of air duct cleaning and mold remediation from industry veterans!

Bookmark this space for updates on the event's confirmation link. See you soon!

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Local Event: Navigating Your Indoor Environment: A Comprehensive Webinar on Air Duct Cleaning & Mold Remediation - Patch

A section along Anderton Avenue could collapse as a result of flooding or an earthquake, the city says

Courtenay officials are monitoring a retaining wall on the Courtenay River, saying a section along Anderton Avenue is at risk of collapse in the event of flooding or an earthquake.

The area of greatest risk along the 260-metre wall on the west side of the river is a 50-metre section below an unoccupied hostel and the 10-unit Anderson Arms apartment building next to the 5th Street Bridge.

Building owners and residents have been notified and the city said it is installing warning signs, but there are no immediate evacuation orders, nor an immediate timeline for repairs or replacement.

Staff are working to determine best path forward for the impacted properties and expect to have more information for residents and property owners in the near future, the city said in a notice this week.

The city made repairs to the 50-metre section in 2016 and recently noticed more movement in the piles.

Failure may be a gradual slide toward the river, or a rapid collapse caused by a flood or seismic event, said the city.

The Anderton Avenue retaining wall protects the banks from river flows, but backfill behind the wall has been sinking toward the river. This is a concern because buildings can only withstand a certain amount of movement before they become unsafe to occupy, according to Courtenays engineering department.

The risk of failure is much lower behind the 210-metre concrete section of the Anderton Avenue wall and the sewage lift station and Riverside Park behind it, according to the city.

The foundation of the 5th Street Bridge is not at risk, but the city said debris could damage the bridge if a rapid collapse of the pile wall were to occur.

dkloster@timescolonist

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Courtenay concerned about retaining wall along river - Times Colonist

December 14, 2023

The City of Courtenay is notifying the public about the potential risk of failure to the Anderton Avenue Retaining Wall located along the west side of the Courtenay River, parallel to the 400-block of Anderton Avenue.

The City has been closely monitoring the Anderton Avenue Retaining Wall following a repair in 2016. The wall is made up of two sections a 50-metre sheet pile section and a 210-metre concrete section. Monitoring has detected movement of the sheet pile wall, which indicates a risk of partial or total failure.

Failure may be a gradual slide toward the river, or a rapid collapse caused by a flood or seismic event. The risk of failure is much lower behind the concrete section of the wall, along Riverside Park.

Private property owners and residents impacted by this risk have been notified directly, and the City will install warning signs in the affected area.

This notification is a proactive measure to make property owners and residents aware of the condition of the Anderton Avenue Retaining Wall. We recognize that this information may be concerning, especially among impacted residents. said Mayor Bob Wells The City is completing additional structural inspections, and is actively working to determine a path forward for the impacted properties. We are committed to ongoing communication about this sensitive matter.

The City of Courtenay will provide property owners and residents with further updates as additional information becomes available. To learn more about the risk to the Anderton Avenue Retaining Wall, visit http://www.courtenay.ca/andertonwall.

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Potential Risk of Failure of Anderton Avenue Retaining Wall - City of Courtenay

An easy-to-use home security camera that works seamlessly with SimpliSafe security systems

Nobody makes home security as easy and hassle-free as SimpliSafe does. In our SimpliSafe security system review, we talked about how it took us less than 30 minutes to install the system, and that system included the SimpliCam.

The SimpliCam is an indoor camera that just plugs into a wall outlet and connects to Wi-Fi. It doesnt offer much in terms of features, but its a reliable camera that just works. It can detect and alert you of movement, stream and record high-quality videos, and it offers two-way audio communication. In our experience, thats all an average person needs to keep an eye on their home while at work or running errands.

Although it works as a standalone security camera, the SimpliCam works best as a part of a SimpliSafe system. Together with SimpliSafe security sensors, the camera can monitor your home and give you visual access in cases of emergency. Moreover, SimpliSafe usually bundles the camera ($99 value) with its security system for free.

One minor drawback of the SimpliCam is that it doesnt record locally. Youll need a cloud subscription. Thats another reason to use the camera with the SimpliSafe security system. Cloud storage costs $4.99 per month for one camera or $9.99 per month for up to five cameras. It isnt the most affordable cloud plan out there, with options like Ring offering cloud storage for unlimited cameras for as little as $10 per month. With a SimpliSafe security system, however, you can buy a $29.99 per month professional monitoring subscription, which includes cloud storage for up to 10 cameras.

Additionally, with this SimpliSafe subscription, youll get video verification. In case of a break-in, SimpliSafe will use your cameras video ability to verify the incident and send the police faster to your home.

Its worth noting that SimpliSafe recently came out with a new indoor camera that is far more advanced than the SimpliCam. Its called the Smart Alarm, and it costs $139.99. This camera can be paired with the Fast Protect monitoring plan to gain access to 24/7 live agent monitoring.

The camera uses AI to detect person-triggered motion events, and when it does, it reports to the live monitoring center. The camera can stream to the monitoring center during emergencies and even create a two-way audio link between an agent and the cameras speaker to potentially ward off intruders.

Thats taking a more proactive stance in protecting your home, and the Smart Alarm might very well be a good upgrade to the SimpliCam. However, there may be some potential privacy implications, especially because its an indoor camera. We value privacy, so for now, SimpliCam is still our top choice.

High-end Wi-Fi and IP cameras with 4K color and night vision

Lorex is known for the quality of its security cameras. Many Lorex camera models are vandal-proof; for example, the ones we tested had heavy-duty metal casings and protected power cords.

Dont be intimidated by their solid construction, though. Lorex cameras are some of the easiest to use security cameras. Although youll need to spend quite some time setting them up it took us almost half a day to completely set up, install, and configure our six-camera Lorex system youll find that once theyre set up, theres not much else to do to keep them running. They are set-and-forget types devices.

One thing we really liked was that it stored footage in a local recording box called a DVR. The DVR has plenty of storage space, usually 1 TB or more, and its expandable with additional hard drives. Lorex can store footage for days on end without cutting. Ours kept recordings of the past two weeks.

Although Lorex cameras seem dated in design, some of them actually have really advanced features. Weve seen dozens and even tested a couple with up to 4K resolution. What really surprised us, though, were the Lorex cameras with artificial intelligence, something we only ever see in more modern brands like Google Nest and Arlo. Certain AI-powered Lorex cameras we tested were capable of distinguishing people from other moving objects, also known as person detection.

FYI: Is artificial intelligence a friend or foe? In the context of security cameras, AI is a friend that improves detection and provides tons of security value. However, thats not the case with all types of AI.

One bestselling home-use Lorex camera is the 1080p HD Outdoor Wireless Security Camera. Its an affordable but dependable camera, retailing for as low as $149. We think this camera really represents Lorex well.

The hardware is impressive. It has a 115-foot night vision range, meaning, it can see as far as 115 feet out in near-total darkness. It can record audio and video, it has a 1080p HD resolution, and the construction itself was solid and rugged. It wasnt perfect we would have liked to see a wider field of vision than its 118-degree lens and it doesnt work in temperatures below zero. However, its a perfectly reliable and budget-friendly option, which is true for most Lorex cameras.

Speaking of which, Lorex offers a wide variety of options. Thats one of the best things about this brand. In most cases, youre free to mix and match different camera models depending on your needs. If you need more indoor cameras, for example, Lorex offers packages with up to eight indoor cameras. That makes personalizing your security camera system a lot easier with Lorex.

Video doorbells and weatherproof cameras powered by batteries, mains electricity, or the Sun

Ring jumpstarted the video doorbell market in the early 2010s, and after being bought by Amazon, it continued to produce innovative security cameras. Today, it has a completely separate line of home security cameras, divided into these models:

Ring cameras leverage advanced technology, but they arent complicated to use. For example, the newest Ring Spotlight Cam models use radar to more accurately detect and report movement, but when we tested it, it worked just like regular motion detection weve seen countless times from other cameras. And thats the thing about Ring: It provides better-than-most features without complicating the user-experience.

Other Ring camera models include motion detection, two-way voice, and Amazon Alexa and Echo integration like the doorbell cameras. Smart integrations let us control our home alarm system with voice commands and send our security video to various in-home displays of our choice. Ring cloud video storage costs $3.99 per month for one camera or $10 per month for an unlimited number of cameras installed in one address.

Ring has an expansive product catalog, but lets take a look at one example: For most climates, the Ring Spotlight Cam is one of the best weatherproof cameras for scaring off prowlers as it can withstand temperatures five degrees below zero. This $200 camera comes equipped with bright spotlights that you can program to turn on when it detects motion. It also has a 110-decibel siren, plenty loud even for an outdoor camera.

An even more advanced version of the Spotlight Cam was released recently at the 2022 Amazon hardware event, which also features 3D Motion Detection. This additional feature uses radar technology to track the movement of prowlers within your property, and in addition to the cameras live feed, 3D Motion Detection enables a Birds Eye View of your lawn. That, in addition to the spotlight feature that comes with every Spotlight Cam makes the Spotlight Cam Pro a solid option to stand guard outside your home.

Not all Ring cameras are super-advanced, though. There are also ones that are more low-tech but very reliable and affordable. One example is the Ring Indoor Cam, Rings most affordable security camera to date. The Ring Indoor Cam is comparable to our top-pick, the SimpliCam. It plugs into an outlet, streams and records videos, and detects motion. And at just over $50, its an affordable option for those who prefer Rings catalog of Wi-Fi cameras.

Whats New: Another new creation by Ring is the $250 Car Cam, a dual-camera hardware designed to protect your car whether its running or parked in your garage. It detects motion, is LTE-ready, and has a built-in Alexa so you can start a recording with your voice while driving.

ADT offers a trifecta of security cameras: An indoor camera, an outdoor camera, and a doorbell camera. Together, these three cameras can watch over your home with their 1080p HD resolution, two-way talk feature, and smart capabilities that help them distinguish between important and unimportant events.

So far, those are pedestrian security camera traits. The very best aspect of ADT cameras, though, is that they come with the ADT home security system. These are not standalone cameras, so you can buy them only if you also buy a security system.

That makes sense, though. ADT is a leader in home security monitoring. Its cameras may not be top-of-the-line in features and tech, but paired with ADTs reliable monitoring service, high-quality home security equipment, and 145-year long history and experience, these cameras become much more useful than similarly-featured security cameras.

Of course, if you really want smarter cameras, ADT gives you options. As far back as 2021, ADT and Google Nest have maintained a solid partnership that saw Google Nests smart cameras added to the ADT roster. Google Nest Cams are some of the smartest security cameras around. We wont go into too much detail as youll soon meet them down this list, but one special feature of the Nest Cams is facial recognition.

For a home security system, ADT is teeming with security camera options. We like the ruggedness of the ADT-branded cameras, especially the outdoor camera (pictured above) with an IP 65 rating. Its water- and dust-proof, and its built to work in cold and warm climates.

That said, if youre looking for smarter security cameras, we recommend Google Nest Cams for your ADT system. Google Nest is another top-rated security camera brand, and if you buy Google Nest cameras from ADT, youll get professional installation, including integrating the cameras to your ADT system.

Whichever you choose, though, ADTs greatest selling point is that its not just a security camera system, but a complete home security system. Security cameras prove great for visual monitoring, but ADT sensors can help detect other dangers that security cameras may not be able to.

On top of that, ADT has a solid professional monitoring service, which includes video verification through ADT-connected cameras. Video verification occurs during emergencies. Rather than simply alerting the police that there might be a break-in in progress, ADT monitoring centers can briefly access security camera feeds to confirm the alert. That way, they can assist the dispatchers in identifying the intruder and also speed up police response.

Budget-priced indoor security cameras with free cloud storage for motion-triggered video

With prices that start at just $29.99, Wyze makes some of the most affordable indoor security cameras with mobile app integration. Cloud storage is free for motion-triggered events, which makes Wyze a very affordable home security solution overall. Wyze makes its cameras for DIY monitoring.

Special features include geofencing (motion detection zones), Alexa compatibility, and the ability to detect specific frequencies. For instance, the camera sends mobile alerts in response to a smoke alarm.

Despite being a budget security camera brand, Wyze has been making a lot of high-tech cameras. They now have indoor and outdoor cameras, cameras that can pan and tilt mechanically, and even cameras equipped with a spotlight or floodlight for scaring intruders. And the best part? They are all more affordable than what we normally see in the industry.

One example is the Wyze Cam Floodlight, which as the name implies, comes with built-in floodlights. Its nothing to sneeze at; the floodlights are 2,600 lumens bright but dimmable, it comes with a 105 dB siren, it has a 270-degree motion detection range, and it has all the smart features of the Wyze Cam v3 like person and pet detection. In terms of price, though, it costs half of most floodlight cameras. The Ring Floodlight Cam costs $200 and up, while the Wyze Cam Floodlight costs only $93.99.

Cutting-edge indoor and outdoor cameras with up to 4K resolution

The standard for high-definition security video is 1080p resolution. Arlo pushed the envelope with 4K ultra-high-definition on the weatherproof Ultra security camera, which costs $299. During our evaluations, the Arlo doorbell cameras, indoor cameras, and outdoor cameras automatically lowered their resolution if they detected low bandwidth.

Arlo loaded each camera with special features such as two-way voice, a siren with remote control, and compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Multiple setup options made Arlo cameras famous, too; cameras plugged in or operated wire-free, and magnetic mounts made setup hassle-free. The video was saved locally on a USB or to the cloud, free for seven days. Arlo cameras work best when grouped together to create an integrated network of security cameras.

While the Arlo Ultra offers the most impressive video resolution in Arlos lineup, there are slightly more affordable options that still provide crystal clear video quality. One of our favorites is the Arlo Pro 4, which is an indoor and outdoor camera that runs wire-free on batteries. Its a slight improvement over the Arlo Pro 3 we reviewed.

The Arlo Pro 4 features a 2K HD resolution; slightly lower than the Ultra, but still above industry average. While it costs less than half the latest Arlo Ultra, it provides similar features such as an integrated spotlight and color night vision. Its also quite rugged for a security camera as sleek-looking; its resistant to rain and sun (it has UV protection, too), and it can operate in temperatures as low as minus four degrees Fahrenheit.

Heads up: The latest from Arlo is the Arlo Pro 5S, a 2K spotlight camera with an extra-wide 160-degree viewing angle, dual-band Wi-Fi, and extended battery life. This latest camera works exceptionally well with the Arlo Home Security System.

Smart doorbells & indoor/outdoor security cams with facial recognition and continuous recording

While our Ring paired naturally with Amazon Alexa, Nest was best with Google Assistant and other Google Home products. Nest cams work intuitively with Google Home speakers. For example, we could say, Hey Google, play the backyard camera on the kitchen Chromecast, and it would perform the task.

The Nest Cam options include the plugged-in indoor model, the battery-powered weatherproof model, and the floodlight-equipped model. There are also wired and wireless video doorbell options. All these cameras share the same core features, including motion detection, person detection, and activity zones. Each can also be added to a Nest Aware subscription, which enables cloud recording plus up to 10 days of continuous recording at the highest tier. But even without Nest Aware, we still enjoyed mobile notifications from the cameras and three hours of event history with snapshots. That being said, we chose to keep our Nest Aware subscription because of facial recognition.

The smartest feature of all Nest Cam models is facial recognition, or as Nest calls it, Familiar Face Alerts. Its one of those features you can only get with a Nest Aware subscription, but if you shell out the monthly fee, Familiar Face Alerts can improve your home security tremendously.

The Nest Cam starts by cataloging all the faces it sees, and then, it relies on you to put a name to those faces using the accompanying app. Nests AI is powered by Google, so you know that recognizing faces is no hard task for the camera.

Now, once it has a database of Familiar Faces (dont worry, your cameras Familiar Faces stays on your account and wont be used in facial recognition of other Nest users), youll be able to really configure your notifications. For instance, you can tell Nest to notify you if this particular person is seen, lets say your kid, so you know they got home safe from school. Its that kind of personalization that makes Nest an incredible partner in home security.

New Feature: You can now view live footage from the latest Nest Cams on Alexa-enabled smart displays and smart TVs. In addition, Alexa can now announce motion detection and doorbell ring alerts, as well as deliver two-way audio.

Video doorbells and indoor/outdoor cameras with easy installation and long-lasting batteries

Blink sells easy-to-use wireless cameras for indoor and outdoor use. These are low-priced at $35 and up, yet excellent quality. Special features on Blink cameras include one-way or two-way audio, a motion sensor, customizable motion zones, a temperature sensor, and the option to use Amazon Alexa for arming and disarming by voice.

The Blink Indoor and Blink Outdoor, which are both battery-powered cameras, feature a PIR motion sensor. Although it doesnt sound as impressive as person detection or facial recognition, the PIR sensor is the perfect sensor for these cameras.

PIR motion sensors read heat signatures and are only triggered when the moving object produces body heat. Thats another way of saying that its only triggered by living things. It reduces false alarms, not to mention, saves a ton of battery power compared to motion detection facilitated by the cameras computer vision itself.

Blink provides affordable cloud storage with pricing similar to that of Ring ($3 per month for one camera and $10 for all cameras). You can also access local recording without monthly fees with a Sync Module 2 hub and a USB flash drive.

FYI: Amazon, the company that owns Blink and Ring, announced that its shutting down support for its Amazon Cloud Cam cameras by December 2022. Cloud Cam owners, however, will receive a free Blink Mini Indoor as replacement, plus a one-year free subscription to Blinks cloud plan.

Smart doorbells and indoor/outdoor cameras with long-range and local storage

Swann sells high-quality indoor/outdoor cameras and video doorbells for do-it-yourself monitoring only. Swann cameras feature impressive color night vision, heat sensing, two-way talk, floodlights, competitive pricing, long-range even at night, and compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Local storage and cloud storage is available for Swann security cams. With free local memory, owners can save each clip for seven days. Camera ownership also includes two days of free cloud storage per clip.

The Floodlight Security Camera, costing $179, shows off lots of Swann technology. The 1080p camera has a 125-degree lens, color night vision, a heat sensor, two-way talk, a siren, and a motion-triggered floodlight with dimmer. It clearly records nighttime action up to 100 feet away, and with its max floodlight brightness of 2500 lumens, criminals will have trouble finding cover!

A budget camera that doesnt sacrifice quality with all of our necessary features for home security cameras.

Although we use Siri for everything on our iPhones, a security camera rarely works with Apples voice assistantthat is, until the eufy 2K indoor camera. It works with Siri, so we were able to view the live feed on our phones by asking our trusted voice assistant, in addition to Alexa and Google Assistant. Siri also provides end-to-end encryption for footage along with a whopping ten days of extra cloud storage through HomeKit Secure Video. As iPhone or iPad users, we loved using Siri with the eufy 2K camera.

The eufy 2K is a very affordable indoor camera, at only $40. Typically, we shell out over $100 for similar devices. We set it up in our living room, and because we had pet detection turned off, we didnt get notified every time our kitten played with its ball of yarn. Instead, we only got notifications about people. All our footage was recorded directly to our 128 GB micro-SD card in 2K resolution.

With the Eufy Security app, we easily checked in at home from anywhere with Internet access, arming and disarming our camera remotely (or creating an automated schedule). We could count on getting notifications when any people came near our home, which thankfully didnt include any intruders.

A wide range of affordable smart doorbells, indoor cameras, and outdoor cameras

Zmodo sells a wide selection of smart doorbell cameras, indoor-only cameras, and weatherproof surveillance cameras for DIY monitoring. We chose these cameras to serve as crime deterrents, but we had friends who used the Zmodo video cams for keeping an eye on their dependents. Some Zmodo cameras are hardwired, and others are wire-free.

A four-pack of Zmodo Mini Cams costs just $99.99. These indoor cameras have night vision, two-way audio, Alexa compatibility, and optional continuous recording in 720p HD. With free service, we were able to review alert clips from the previous 36 hours. Longer-term cloud storage required a $9.99 per month payment.

Another cheap but effective option is the $39.99 Zmodo 1080p Indoor/Outdoor Security Camera. Along with HD color vision in daylight, it creates crisp low-light recordings with up to 65-feet depth of field. The option to set motion detection zones helps limit false alerts.

Zmodo security equipment carries an impressive three-year warranty and a 60-day money-back guarantee.

A simple security camera perfect for families.

A lot of cameras have person detection, which differentiates between different types of movement from people, animals, cars, and inanimate objects. However, the ecobee SmartCamera takes things a step further. Not only does it detect people, but with a panning function, itll actually follow them around, keeping them in the center of the frame. This feature, Smart Focus, isnt something weve seen from any other security camera, so with its 180-degree field of view, youre sure not to miss anything that goes on at your home.

Originally posted here:
The 12 Best Home Security Cameras of 2023 - Security.org

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Traveling for the holidays? Keep an eye on your home with the Blink Mini security camera, now just $20 - Gwinnettdailypost.com

ByWXYZ Detroit

Friday, December 8, 2023 3:04AM

DETROIT -- Gangs from South America are breaking into multi-million dollar homes across the country, including metro Detroit, WXYZ reported.

Police said they are highly functional and well-trained.

A police official described the crews, which are believed to consist of four to six people, as highly functional and well-trained.

The thieves reportedly use a jammer to overcome wireless security systems that depend on WiFi to operate. The crews are all dressed in black, with backpacks, and gloves. They are non-confrontational and their goal is to get in and out of the homes quickly, police said.

At least 30 to 40 homes have been hit since September in the Detroit area. Thieves have gotten away with cash, jewelry and expensive handbags within minutes of breaking in.

Police departments in Michigan have formed a task force and urged home owners to have multiple layers of security.

Originally posted here:
Gangs from South America use security jammers to break in to expensive homes across country: police - WLS-TV

To determine the best home security companies ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed 19 companies, with each companys star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:

Pricing is an important factor when choosing among the best home security companies, which is why it accounts for 20% of the total ranking. The editorial team evaluated monthly self monitoring and pro monitoring fees at both the lowest and highest price points as well as contract lengths, policies and limitations.

App reviews, similar to overall customer ratings, can indicate the health of a home security companys user experience for customers. Ratings from the App Store and Play Store were evaluated, and the higher the rating for a company, the more points that company received.

Customer ratings are a strong indicator of a companys performance, making it 20% of the total ranking. The team evaluated customer ratings from platforms like the BBB, Trustpilot and Consumer Affairs.

Customer support options accounted for 14% of the total ranking, and include each companys offering (or lack thereof) of live chat, phone service, community forum, knowledge base and a blog.

Extra smart home features are a commodity in a time of homes adapting to smart home integration, which is why this category received 10% of the total rankings weight. The editorial team evaluated each home security companys list of smart home integrations with platforms including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung, Apple Homekit and more.

A home security companys offering of equipment and package options is paramount when deciding how to approach your homes security needs, which is why it makes up 20% of the total ranking. The team analyzed each companys offerings of equipment including full professionally installed systems, wireless security options, cellular network cameras, night vision cameras, Wi-Fi security cameras, plug-in wired cameras, outdoor cameras, fire detection and smoke alarms, panic buttons, water leak detection, sirens and more.

A home security companys ease of setup and installation policies could be a major factor for homeowners. The editorial team evaluated the setip for each company as well to account for 5% of the total ranking.

Additional points were awarded based on the judgment of our review team. Points were awarded for inclusions such as additional service availability and outstanding achievements or awards.

More here:
Best Home Security Companies Of 2023 Forbes Home - Forbes

When purchasing a wireless security camera, consider key factors such as price, video resolution, field of view, audio, storage and warranty. Considering these features will help you make an informed decision and find the best wireless security camera for your needs.

As mentioned, the price of wireless security cameras can vary depending on factors like the brand, features, video resolution and additional functionalities. Generally, you can find wireless security cameras ranging from around$200 to $2,000. However, high-end wireless security cameras with advanced features and higher video resolutions may cost significantly more.

When determining the price range youre willing to invest in a wireless security camera, its necessary to consider both your budget and the specific features you require. Additionally, discounts, promotions and the availability of different brands and models can also impact the price range.

When choosing a wireless security camera, its important to consider the various video resolutions available. The video resolution determines the level of detail and clarity in the captured footage, with higher resolutions offering sharper and more detailed images. When shopping for a wireless security camera, its important to consider the specific monitoring requirements, like the desired video quality and the associated cost, to ensure optimal surveillance capabilities.

When deciding the right wireless security camera, its essential to look at the field of view. This refers to the area or angles the camera can cover and capture within its range. Its typically measured in degrees and can vary among different camera models.

The wider the field of view will allow you to monitor larger areas with a single camera, reducing the need for multiple cameras in some cases. However, youll want to balance a wide field of view and maintain clear image quality and detail. Consider the specific areas you want to monitor and choose a wireless security camera with an appropriate field of view that meets your surveillance needs.

Wireless security cameras can come equipped with audio capabilities allowing monitoring and communication. There are two main types: one-way audio, which allows for listening to captured audio, and two-way audio, which enables both listening and speaking through the camera. Two-way audio can facilitate real-time communication and interaction, making it useful for remote monitoring, engaging with family members or visitors and potentially deterring intruders.

When considering wireless security cameras with audio features, its essential to assess the quality of the microphone and speaker, check for compatibility with mobile apps or monitoring systems and ensure the camera meets your specific audio requirements.

Wireless security cameras offer two primary storage options: local and cloud. Local storage involves saving recorded footage directly onto the camera itself, typically using an SD card or built-in storage. This option provides easy access to footage without internet connectivity or subscription fees, but its also important to consider the security systems storage capacity.

On the other hand, cloud storage securely stores footage on remote servers accessible through the internet. It offers convenient access from anywhere and mitigates the risk of footage loss, although it often requires subscription fees based on storage capacity and retention duration. When choosing a wireless security camera, evaluate your storage needs, consider each options pros and cons and ensure compatibility with the chosen storage method.

When youre shopping for a wireless security camera, its important to consider the warranty. It provides protection and assurance against potential defects or issues that may arise with the camera. The warranty terms and coverage can vary between manufacturers and models, so reviewing the warranty details before purchasing is crucial.

Key factors to consider are the duration of the warranty, what types of defects or malfunctions are covered and any limitations or exclusions that may apply. A longer warranty period can provide peace of mind and protect your investment, while comprehensive coverage ensures that you can seek assistance or replacements if any issues arise during the specified warranty period.

Link:
Best Wireless Security Cameras Of December 2023 Forbes Home - Forbes