Reviewers frequently highlight the punctuality of installation crews, consistent communication from sales staff, and the thoroughness of post-installation training. Customers often note reasonable pricing and the ability to handle both residential and complex commercial access control projects effectively. However, a subset of low-star reviews cites difficulties with contract cancellations, billing disputes after previous providers closed, and dissatisfaction with response times for false alarms or equipment malfunctions.
Google rating: 4.8 out of 5 from 207 reviews (94% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 207 Google reviews (171 with written comments).
Owner responses: the business replied to 89% of reviews.
Most recent review: November 4, 2026.
Service: Security System Installer serving Newport News, Virginia.
Data from Google, last updated November 10, 2026.
Star ratings
207 Google reviews we collected
4.8of 5
5 stars19494%
4 stars31%
3 stars00%
2 stars10%
1 star94%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 171 written reviews
97%praise
Praise29997%
Complaints93%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude8126%
Speed & response6621%
Quality & results5117%
Would recommend4113%
Price & value289%
Communication279%
Honesty & trust145%
What customers talk about
We read 171 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Local experts that are reasonable, responsive, and professional.”
“They did a great job installing the security system at our church, the customer service is stellar and very responsive.”
“Great experience working with Johns Brothers Security - Preston and Gordon provided us exactly what we needed for a commercial remote door access.”
“This is the worst company I have come in contact with to date!”
“I would highly recommend Johns Brothers to anyone looking for reliable and professional security work”
“…house, thoroughly evaluated what we currently had, and offered some reasonable recommendations on what we could do to bring our system up to par.…”
“…ices they could not actually render, including an interactive access fee for a system they no longer could connect to.…”
“Preston Firnstahl, the Sales Manager, communicated with me consistently throughout the process and made sure every aspect of the job met my expectations.”
“Their professionalism and dedication to customer care are unparalleled, making them a trusted partner in our security needs.”
People customers mention
Preston11 reviews
Gordon5 reviews
Alex5 reviews
Firnstahl4 reviews
Aaron4 reviews
Rapp4 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
The crew from John's Brothers have gone out of their way to make sure all the equipment is working properly. From the staff to the technicians they suggested cost saving measures and upgrades to the existing equipment to give us the best bang for the buck. They are my go company for alarm and service needs.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Security cameras
Daryl Mitchell6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Daryl has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Excellent sales and installation experience. A much simpler system to operate along with the app. Having the app on CarPlay is a game changer. Thanks Mason and Malcolm.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Response from the owner · a month ago
Mr. Mitchell- Thank you for the kind review! We are very proud to have Mason and Malcolm on the team! We look forward to providing peace of mind for years to come!
Jay Lane13 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Jay has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Preston and Gordon were top tier with customer service and install. Took the time to make sure I knew how everything worked and helped me personalize my system. John’s Brothers truly the best around. If you are thinking about getting security this is a no brainer.
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Security cameras
Response from the owner · a month ago
Tanner- Thank you for the great review! We have a great team here at Johns Brothers and we're proud of them. Thank you for the opportunity to be of service!
Bradley BuntLocal Guide · 37 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Bradley has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Straight up SCAMMERS: My alarm company that I had been with for 10 years went out of business and closed up shop. We got a letter from our old company letting us know the date our service would end and I would have to find a new alarm company.
Fast forward couple weeks and I am getting notification emails and calls from these scammers saying I have a bill that is past due with them because unannounced to ME they "own" my contract which there was NONE and now tell me I owe them money like a pathetic attempted shakedown. I had to call to get service that I NEVER asked for or signed up for shut off and an account I NEVER opened with them closed. Who opens an account without telling them and then bill them without their knowledge and then demand payment!?!??!
Don't try to justify your scam with a response! Do NOT use or trust this scam company!
Response from the owner · 2 months ago
We understand that receiving a bill from a new company can be confusing. However, the facts of this situation differ from what is described in this review.
Your previous alarm provider merged with Johns Brothers Security, and we notified you of the transition via mail and email.
This was not an account you “never opened” or “never signed up for.” Your original agreement, signed in April 2017, specifically states that the agreement may be assigned or transferred to a third party. Your existing agreement was transferred to Johns Brothers Security as part of the merger. Our team continued to monitor your residence and provide services until your request for termination.
We understand you may not have been aware of the transition when you first received our billing communications, and we are happy to address legitimate questions about your account or billing. However, threatening behavior toward our employees is unacceptable and was documented during your call to our office.
Evan BartleyLocal Guide · 21 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Evan has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Local experts that are reasonable, responsive, and professional. Preston and Gordon are both top-notch. They've been able to handle small and simple access control jobs as well as large, complex jobs.
Response from the owner · 3 months ago
Evan- Thank you for the great review. We’re fortunate to have experts with decades of experience like Preston and Gordon on our team
Brenden Lawson5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Brenden has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
They did a great job installing the security system at our church, the customer service is stellar and very responsive. I worked with Preston and he did a great job! They also have good rates for the monthly cost.
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Service not listed
Response from the owner · 3 months ago
Brenden- thank you for taking the time to leave a review! We look forward to taking care of your church for years to come!
Bill Redmond3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Bill has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Security Risk. After over 10 years of monitoring with this company, I took over my family home and signed a new 3-year agreement. Near the end of the term, I followed their official cancellation procedures and provided written notice more than 30 days in advance.
After submitting notice, I was told my contract was two months longer than previously stated. I was also informed they would not release the system’s communicator, which prevents me from using my own hardware with another provider. The company ignored my subsequent requests for clarification regarding this equipment lockdown.
To protect my system, I ultimately had to change the programming code and replace the communicator myself to remove their access on the 3-year anniversary. Despite paying for the extra two months demanded, they billed me for monitoring services they could not actually render, including an interactive access fee for a system they no longer could connect to. Disabling customer-owned hardware is not in my signed agreement, and charging for unrendered service is highly unprofessional. They completely destroyed my trust.
Mallory Tuttle2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Mallory has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
