Alarm fault? Get your burglar alarm working reliably again in Smethwick

We trace the fault across the control panel, power supply, sensors and sounders, then explain repair or replacement options before any work begins.

Booking fee plus hourly labour — the price is confirmed before any work starts.

See how the price works

What this costs

Booked 14+ days ahead£25 booking fee
£85 per hour
Booked within 48 hours£100 booking fee
£65 per hour
Same-day call-out£220 booking fee
£45 per hour

The booking fee secures the visit. Labour is then charged by the hour, so you only pay for the time the job actually takes.

Booking fee £25–£220

£25 + £85/hr booked 14+ days ahead, £100 + £65/hr inside 48 hours, £220 + £45/hr same day. Agreed before we arrive.

Covered under Burglar Alarms

Security & CCTV › Burglar Alarms — one of 19 documented jobs in this section.

Same-day burglar alarm not working

Urgent jobs can often be booked for today. Ask when you book and we will confirm the slot before you pay anything.

15 service areas

Birmingham, Coventry, Dorridge and 12 more across the West Midlands.

Understanding a system that will not work

A burglar alarm can stop responding for several different reasons: loss of mains power, a depleted standby battery, a damaged cable, a sensor fault, a panel issue or an entry in the event log that has not been cleared. A keypad that appears blank does not by itself identify which part has failed. Note what the indicators show, whether there has been a power cut, and when the behaviour began; these clues can help narrow the checks without assuming a cause.

How we narrow it down

We identify the panel and its connected devices, ask about recent changes and review any visible fault messages or event history available on the system. We then check appropriate power and battery indications, the keypad response, accessible wiring connections, sensors and the internal and external sounders as relevant. Checks are limited to what the equipment and safe access allow. We explain what the evidence supports and distinguish a component fault from a supply, configuration or user-operation issue.

Repair, replacement and practical limits

Depending on the findings, the answer may be a user-serviceable battery, a sensor adjustment, a repair to a suitable connection, a replacement component or a wider panel upgrade. We check compatibility and condition before proposing parts; an older system may use components that are no longer readily available. If the fault is on the incoming electrical supply or involves work outside the agreed alarm scope, we explain the boundary and recommend the appropriate specialist rather than improvising.

Use and safety while awaiting a visit

Do not repeatedly silence or disable an alarm that is behaving unpredictably. If it is triggering, record the time, zone or displayed message and contact us to arrange diagnosis. You may replace a clearly user-serviceable battery only as described in the system manual; do not remove covers or handle mains wiring. Keep the panel area dry and accessible, and tell us if there are pets, vulnerable occupants or access arrangements we should know about.

Work, scope and approval

We agree the boundaries of a visit with you and explain what is included before work begins. The booking fee is paid when you book. Labour is charged hourly at a rate that depends on how soon you need the visit. We quote the full cost of the proposed work before starting, with parts quoted separately, and wait for your approval. If checks reveal another fault, a need for additional access or a larger project, we explain that scope and provide a separate quote before proceeding. An estimate is not a promise that a repair will be possible in one visit, that parts are in stock or that a particular completion time can be met.

Checks, limitations and next steps

We explain the checks carried out, the result and any uncertainty or limitation that remains. Approved work is tested to the extent practical for the equipment and access available. No repair can guarantee that a component will never fail again, and an alarm is not a guarantee against burglary. We do not provide police response, monitoring-station services, insurance approval or certification. Where a monitoring service is involved, it operates under a separate contract with the provider; confirm its account, signalling and response arrangements with them. If the issue concerns mains wiring or another trade, we explain the boundary and recommend suitable help rather than undertaking work outside the agreed alarm scope. If false activations occur, we investigate likely causes such as batteries, sensors, pets and placement rather than advising repeated silencing or disabling.

Arrange a visit

To book, share the panel make and model if known, the exact display message or affected zone, when the problem began and any recent power, building or household changes. A clear photo of an indicator can help, but do not include alarm codes or passwords in an unsecured message. Mention pets, shared-property permissions, access restrictions and any separate provider involvement where relevant. We attend homes across the West Midlands. Same-day availability may be possible depending on the diary, but it is not promised; we confirm the appointment time and agreed scope with you.

How the price works

We charge a booking fee to hold your slot, then an hourly rate for the work itself. The fee changes with how soon you need us; the hourly rate changes with the slot you choose. You approve the price before we start, so there is no surprise on the invoice.

Booked 14+ days ahead

£25 booking fee

then £85 per hour of labour

Best value. Book the slot now, pay the smallest booking fee.

Booked within 48 hours

£100 booking fee

then £65 per hour of labour

For jobs that can wait a day or two but not a fortnight.

Same-day call-out

£220 booking fee

then £45 per hour of labour

Urgent problems: standing water, no heat, no power, leaks.

1

Book the slot

Choose the window that suits you and pay the booking fee. That holds your place in the diary.

2

We diagnose on site

The engineer confirms the cause and tells you what the job involves and how long it should take.

3

You approve, we work

Nothing goes ahead until you agree the price. Labour is then charged per hour at your slot rate.

A silent, unresponsive or constantly sounding alarm can be unsettling, especially when you cannot tell whether the problem is a simple supply issue or a failing component. Our visit starts with the symptoms you have noticed and a structured check of the system, so you can make an informed decision about the next step.

What our customers say about our Security & CCTV service

5 out of 5 from 7 reviews

Would use again

Third time we have used Maintenance Men, and the same experience each time: agreed price, proper explanation, job done in one visit. The hourly rate is fair for the standard of work.

Job: CCTV Installation

Second time we have used them

I had put off sorting this for months because I expected a runaround. Quoted the booking fee plus hourly rate upfront, stuck to it, and actually found the underlying cause rather than just clearing the symptom. Worked neatly and hoovered up afterwards.

Job: Backup Battery Fault

Exactly what was quoted

What I appreciated was being told what was actually wrong before anyone started. Sorted in under 56 minutes and the invoice matched the quote to the penny.

Job: Alarm Repair Service

Book Burglar Alarm Not Working

Tell us what is happening and choose a slot. If you are not sure this is the right job, use the diagnosis panel — it narrows the problem down before you book.

  • Booking fee confirmed up front
  • Hourly labour, agreed before work starts
  • Same-day slots for urgent problems

Questions people ask about burglar alarm not working

Straight answers to the things customers ask most often before booking.

Can I reset the alarm myself?

You can follow the user manual for normal controls and a clearly user-serviceable battery. Do not open the panel, handle wiring or repeatedly silence or disable a faulting system.

What will you check?

We identify the panel and review its indicators or event information, then check relevant power, battery, keypad, sensors and sounders. We explain what the evidence supports before proposing work.

Can you work on a mains-connected panel?

We keep work within a safe, competent alarm scope and do not treat property mains wiring as DIY. If the supply installation is implicated, we explain the boundary and recommend an appropriate electrician.

Will you repair it or replace the system?

That depends on the fault, condition and parts compatibility. We diagnose first, then explain a targeted repair and any replacement alternative.

How is the price worked out?

A booking fee is paid when booking. The hourly labour rate depends on how soon you need the visit. We quote the full cost before work starts for your approval, with parts quoted separately.

Need burglar alarm not working sorted in Smethwick?

Book a slot in the diary and pay only the booking fee up front. We confirm the rest before we start.