How to Choose a Security Guard Company: 10 Questions to Ask
Not all guard companies are equal. Ask these ten questions before you sign anything.
1. Are you licensed in my province or state?
Non negotiable. Ask for the license and verify it with the regulator.
Non negotiable. Ask for the license and verify it with the regulator.
2. How do you supervise guards on post?
Look for GPS check ins, field supervisors, and 24/7 dispatch, not just a phone number.
Look for GPS check ins, field supervisors, and 24/7 dispatch, not just a phone number.
3. What is your guard turnover rate?
High turnover means unfamiliar faces on your site. Low turnover means consistency.
High turnover means unfamiliar faces on your site. Low turnover means consistency.
4. Can I see a sample incident report?
Reporting quality reveals operational maturity. Vague reports mean vague operations.
Reporting quality reveals operational maturity. Vague reports mean vague operations.
5. What is your emergency response time?
Get it in writing. Ask how mobile patrol backup works in your area.
Get it in writing. Ask how mobile patrol backup works in your area.
6. Do you carry adequate liability insurance?
Ask for the certificate and the coverage amount.
Ask for the certificate and the coverage amount.
7. How do you handle guard no shows?
Every company has them. The good ones have a documented backfill process with time guarantees.
Every company has them. The good ones have a documented backfill process with time guarantees.
8. Can you provide client references in my industry?
Retail, construction, and events each need different skills. Industry experience matters.
Retail, construction, and events each need different skills. Industry experience matters.
9. What technology do you use?
GPS tracking, digital reporting, CCTV integration. Technology multiplies guard effectiveness.
GPS tracking, digital reporting, CCTV integration. Technology multiplies guard effectiveness.
10. What does your contract lock me into?
Watch for long terms with no performance clauses. Good companies earn renewals.
Watch for long terms with no performance clauses. Good companies earn renewals.