In my area (same as e57) residential burglar alarm systems are usually installed at or below cost. Virtually all alarm contractors require a 2 or 3 year monitoring agreement at the rate of $25-$35/month. The large contractors (ADT, Bay, Etc.) have their own monitoring centers but most alarm companies sub the monitoring out. The rate they pay the monitoring company depends on how many accounts they have. One alarm contractor I know has about 1000 accounts and pays about $5/month for each account. If he charges each account $30/month he gets $25,000/month for some paperwork. Not bad!
I have been doing voice and data work for many years but have been thinking of getting into the home theater market. Most of the home theater contractors charge substantially more than electrical contractors and they also make a killing on the equipment they sell.
Curt
