If you’re constructing a physical building, already maintaining a physical location or you run a government facility, chances are you have had, want to have, or are considering the pros and cons of hiring security. You’ve probably done your due diligence and searched everywhere, talked to others or have seen companies at other sites. More than likely, during your research you’ve found more companies than you know what to do with.
You probably noticed that most of them have fancy websites, most of them claim they are the best security company, most of them claim to offer all kinds of security services to meet your needs and most claim that they have performed all types of security work from unarmed guards at retail locations to executive security around the world.
But what can you believe? How do you choose the company that is right for you? How do you select the company that understands your budget? Which company provides guards that will properly secure your site? How do you know that guards will actually show up and do the work their company claims they will do? Don’t fret. We’ll tell you how to select the right company out of the dozens you will find during a search.
First, you should narrow your search down to at least 3 companies. Why 3? Well, there’s really no magic number but 3 is a good number to compare services. Additionally, 3 is not enough to overwhelm you but just enough to allow you to truly compare services.
Next you should contact each company and ask them to submit a services proposal. Be prepared to provide them details such as: how many guards you need, the hours you will need the guard, the type of facility the guard will secure, the address, the city or the area where the site is located and when you need the guards to start.
When you communicate to the companies, pay close attention to ones that provide you an immediate quote without asking you questions to ensure they fully understand your needs. These companies may try to win your business without fully understanding your business or your issues. Companies should ask you additional questions about your site, i.e., the specific issues you are having, whether you currently have security and whether you intend to hire permanently or temporarily. They should ask questions about your company, about the work you do and about the area your business is located.
When you receive proposals, read them carefully. Pay attention to the services they say they offer and whether their guards can solve the issues you explained to them. A good proposal should go into detail about the company and how they can solve your specific security issue.
You should then see whether they have provided references. Contact the references and see if they hired the company for comparable services. For example, if you have a hotel or need concierge, did the security company provide references to a clients at a parking lot or marina? You want a company who has performed security services comparable to your site.
Next, read the reviews of each company you are considering. Although 1 or 2 reviews don’t always reveal the true performance of a company, if you notice several negative reviews or Better Business Bureau complaints, the company you are considering may not be a good fit.
Then, examine the price each company has offered. Similar to most services, the mantra “you get what you pay for” rings true. See if the company has offered you a bottom basement price. But don’t be so quick to jump on that.
Many times a too-low price means you will receive low paid/low quality guards because the company will not be able to offer a competitive salary to attract or retain high quality guards. A quick search of what companies are paying security officers will help you determine what local pay rates are. Knowing this can help you counter offer with a price that allows the security company to pay its guards and give them about thirty percent for overhead. It can also keep your costs under control.
Also be on the lookout for extremely high prices. Some companies have high overhead and must charge higher prices to cover their expenses. Other companies charge high prices because they simply can. You want a price that is within your budget. Don’t be afraid to negotiate prices. Many companies will accept a lower price to win your business. Use this as leverage when you negotiate the price for services.
Once you determine which company you want to hire, ask to receive proof of the company’s valid security license in your state. You also want a certificate of insurance specifically listing your business as an additional insured. The security company’s insurance should cover at least 1 million dollars per occurrence and 2 million dollars in the aggregate. Finally, you should ask to see a valid security license, and/or valid armed licenses for each guard that will work at your site.
Hiring security is an extremely important decision and the safety of your staff or property depends on your choice. If you follow these suggestions, you can hire a company that you can establish a relationship with for years. If you have additional questions regarding how to select the right security company for you, contact us today. We’d love to help!
