Hiring a security company is one of those decisions you only think about twice: once when you sign the contract, and again the first time something goes wrong. The gap between a great security partner and a forgettable one rarely shows up in the sales pitch — it shows up at 2 a.m. when an alarm trips and no one answers the phone.
Here are the seven questions worth asking before you sign anything.
1. Are they licensed and insured?
In California, every security company must hold a Private Patrol Operator (PPO) license from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, and every guard must carry a valid guard card. Ask for the PPO number and verify it. Then ask for proof of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance — if a guard is hurt on your property and the company isn’t covered, that exposure can land on you.
A reputable company volunteers this paperwork. If you have to pry it loose, that tells you something.
2. Do they train for your kind of property?
Guarding a hospital waiting room and guarding a construction yard call for completely different instincts. A medical office needs de-escalation and compassion; a warehouse needs dock control and access discipline. Ask what specific training their guards receive for a property like yours.
3. Who writes the post orders?
Post orders are the written instructions that tell a guard exactly what to do on your site — who to let in, what to patrol, when to escalate, and who to call. A serious company builds these with you and updates them as your needs change. If a company can’t explain their post-order process, their guards are improvising.
4. How do they handle reporting?
You should never have to wonder what happened on a shift. Look for:
- Time-stamped patrol logs
- Written incident reports delivered promptly
- A clear point of contact for questions
Detailed reporting isn’t busywork — it’s your record for insurers, boards, and law enforcement.
5. Can they scale up and down?
Your needs will change. A retail center needs extra coverage over the holidays; a construction site needs guards until the fire systems come online, then not at all. The right partner flexes with you instead of locking you into coverage you’ve outgrown.
6. What’s their response time — really?
“24/7” means nothing if the phone rings out. Ask what happens when a guard calls out sick, how fast a supervisor responds to an incident, and whether they offer same-day dispatch for urgent needs like a fire watch. Then ask for a reference who can confirm it.
7. Do the guards actually represent your brand?
Your guard is often the first person a resident, guest, or customer meets. Are they well-groomed, well-spoken, and trained to be helpful rather than heavy-handed? A guard who treats people well protects your reputation along with your property.
The bottom line
The cheapest bid is rarely the cheapest option once you factor in turnover, missed patrols, and the incident nobody documented. Look for a licensed, insured company that trains for your property, writes clear post orders, reports thoroughly, and answers the phone every single time.
If you’d like a straight answer to all seven questions for your property, get in touch — we’re happy to walk you through exactly how we’d cover it.