Just to share with u guys the grills for my 3 storey semis cost about RM 11K, which is all-inclusive + two shelter ( one on 2nd floor and the other at the backyard ).
I find it quite reasonable as the first fellow quoted me RM 22K. RM 10,000 difference. Can u believe it?
Thanks HH, its a bit too far a difference, can you see if you knock on it with the wider end (back) of a metal house key and see if its hollow? $11k is about there if yours is the type that is hollow inside(but still thicker than the cheapest ones)
Actually sometimes its not just the strength of the bars as to a very determined person, he will still get in once your first few levels of security are breached (anti climb fencing/guards/patrol/patrol dogs/guard posts/guard dogs)
It becomes then a matter of how long he/she/it takes to get into your house. Normally in a gated/guarded place, no matter how they got in, they are pretty anxious to get things and get out.
They will look for easy/quick/soft targets and from a series of factors such as:
(Not a comprehensive source of crime prevention)
1. Perceived chance that loot is high
2. Perceived time and effort to get into house
3. Perceived chance of not being spotted and alarm is raised
4. Perceived chance of being able to get away from the house easily once 1-3 is satisfied.
So if your place has grilles, it will be better than those without as the would be thieves would be more keen on this.
If yours has solid stainless steel, alarms, dogs and security cameras, it just adds on to the deterrence level until they
either give up or look for easier targets.
Also, if your place is hard to access without having a vehicle (such as on top of a hill), then likely they will move only
the smaller items (unless they steal your car)
Forget those invisible grilles if you are living in ungated/unguarded areas. If a place gets me so rattled that i need to harden my house to the extent of having all of the ones below:
Multiple dogs, stainless steel grilles, tall gates/fencing, electrified fences, hardened doors, unplugged/locked external power points, reinforced windows, etc then probably in the first place i would not have picked it at all.
Its normal to be jittery especially in a foreign place but don't let fear control you.
In the beginning though when i first moved out here, i did lock all the doors and
left many "nice presents" for potential thieves indoors when i wasn't staying there.
Now i still lock the doors and never get complacent but i do feel its actually ok here as long
as one remains vigilant.
I got stopped by the police manning the road blocks just now when i drove home. The police guy asked me why i never turned on my main headlights, i sheepishly apologised and he asked me to be more careful. Then he asked me where i stayed, i told him and he said, you guys are so lucky to live here. Be careful with your lights next time. Then he waved me off and even told me to "drive safe, ok"
The trip from CBD to home took me a grand total of 50 minutes when i went in at 10 plus.
