A security company is a business that designs, installs, and maintains electronic security systems such as burglar alarms, CCTV, fire alarms, and access control. In the UK, security installers range from sole traders to large national firms, and the quality of work varies significantly. Choosing the wrong company can mean poorly installed equipment, inadequate aftercare, voided insurance, and wasted money.
This guide sets out seven questions to ask any security company before you commit. These are the questions that separate competent, professional installers from the rest.
1. Are You Registered with an Inspectorate Body?
The first question to ask any security company is whether they hold current registration with a UKAS-accredited inspectorate body. In the UK, the two main inspectorate bodies for security installers are:
- SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board): inspects and certifies companies that install intruder alarms, CCTV, access control, and fire detection systems
- NSI (National Security Inspectorate): provides a similar certification scheme with Gold and Silver tiers
Registration with SSAIB or NSI means the company is regularly audited against national standards, including BS 8418 (CCTV), BS 6799 (intruder alarms), and BS 5839-1 (fire detection). The audits cover installation quality, documentation, complaint handling, and engineer competence.
Why this matters: if you want a monitored alarm that qualifies for police response, it must be installed by an SSAIB or NSI approved company. Many insurance policies also require installation by an inspectorate-registered firm. If the company is not registered, ask why.
2. What Insurance Do You Carry?
Any security company working at your property should carry, at minimum:
- Public Liability Insurance: covers damage to your property or injury to third parties caused by the company's work. Look for a minimum of £2 million cover.
- Employers' Liability Insurance: a legal requirement for any company with employees. Minimum cover is £5 million.
- Professional Indemnity Insurance: covers the company against claims arising from their professional advice or system design. Not all installers carry this, but it is a mark of a professional operation.
Ask to see certificates, not just verbal confirmation. A reputable company will provide these without hesitation.
3. Will You Survey the Property Before Quoting?
A security system should be designed for your specific property. This means an engineer needs to visit, walk the site, understand the layout, identify vulnerable points, and then design a system that addresses your actual security needs.
Be cautious of any company that quotes over the phone or by email without visiting. A phone quote means they are guessing: guessing the number of detectors, guessing the cable routes, guessing the equipment needed. This leads to systems that are over-specified (costing you more than necessary), under-specified (leaving gaps in coverage), or require additional work on installation day at extra cost.
A proper survey should be free and without obligation. During the survey, the engineer should ask about your security concerns, explain their recommendations and why, and discuss the different system options available within your budget.
4. What Is Included in the Price?
A transparent quote should clearly itemise what you are getting. Look for:
- Equipment: the specific make and model of the panel, detectors, cameras, or other devices
- Installation labour: the cost of fitting, wiring, and configuring the system
- Commissioning: testing and verifying that the system works correctly after installation
- User training: showing you how to operate the system, set codes, arm and disarm, and use any app features
- Documentation: compliance certificates, user manuals, and warranty information
- VAT: all prices should state clearly whether VAT is included or additional
If a quote is a single line that says "alarm system: £X", ask for a breakdown. You need to understand what you are paying for so you can compare quotes on a like-for-like basis.
Also ask about any costs not included in the quote: monitoring subscriptions, annual servicing, callout charges for faults, and future battery replacements.
5. What Happens After Installation?
The installation is only the beginning. A good security company provides ongoing support throughout the life of the system. Questions to ask about aftercare:
- Warranty: what is covered and for how long? A professional installer should offer at least 12 months on labour and 24 months on equipment.
- Servicing: do they offer annual service contracts? What does a service visit include? What is the cost?
- Fault response: what happens if the system develops a fault? Is there a dedicated support line? What are the response times?
- Emergency callout: do they offer out-of-hours emergency support? What are the callout charges?
- System expansion: can the system be expanded later (additional cameras, detectors, or zones)? Will the company support this?
Some companies focus on winning new installations and neglect existing customers. Ask for references from customers who have had their system for more than a year, as this will tell you more about the company's aftercare than any sales pitch.
6. What Equipment Do You Use?
The quality of the equipment determines how reliable and long-lasting your security system will be. Ask the company which manufacturers they use and why.
For intruder alarms, reputable manufacturers include Texecom, Pyronix, and RISCO. For CCTV, look for commercial-grade brands such as Uniview, Hikvision, or Dahua. For fire alarms, established names include Advanced, Fike, and Haes. For access control, Paxton and Comelit are widely used and well-supported.
Be cautious of companies that use own-brand or rebranded equipment. This is usually cheaper consumer-grade hardware with limited support, shorter lifespans, and no independent servicing options. If the company ceases trading, finding replacement parts or compatible expansions can be difficult or impossible.
Also ask about the grade of cabling used. Professional installations use fire-rated or enhanced cable where required, and all external cabling should be UV-resistant and properly secured. Poor cabling is one of the most common shortcuts taken by less scrupulous installers.
7. Do You Cover My Area, and Can You Respond Locally?
A local or regional installer will typically provide better ongoing support than a national company. Response times for faults and emergencies are shorter, the engineers know the area, and you are dealing with people who have a reputation to maintain in the community.
Questions to ask:
- Where is your base or nearest office?
- What is your typical response time for emergency callouts in my area?
- Are the engineers who install the system the same ones who service it?
- How many engineers do you have covering my area?
A company based 100 miles away may offer a competitive installation price, but if the system develops a fault, you could be waiting days for an engineer. A local company with engineers who know your area and your system will resolve issues faster.
Red Flags to Watch For
Beyond these seven questions, there are several warning signs that should make you cautious:
- High-pressure sales tactics: "this price is only available today" or "we have a special offer if you sign now". Professional companies do not pressure you into decisions.
- No written quote: if they will not put it in writing, do not proceed.
- Cash-only payment: legitimate businesses accept bank transfers and card payments, and provide VAT invoices.
- No accreditations: if they cannot provide evidence of SSAIB, NSI, or other relevant accreditations, this is a significant risk.
- Subcontracting without disclosure: some companies sell the job and then subcontract the installation to a third party. Ask who will actually be doing the work.
- No aftercare provision: if they cannot clearly explain what happens after installation, they are probably a fit-and-forget operation.
Making Your Decision
The best security company for your needs will answer all seven questions clearly, provide a written quote after surveying your property, use recognised equipment from established manufacturers, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to aftercare and ongoing support.
Getting two or three quotes from inspectorate-registered companies gives you a fair comparison. The cheapest quote is not always the best value: factor in equipment quality, warranty terms, and ongoing support costs over the life of the system.
At J&L Security, we are SSAIB approved, BAFE certified, and have been serving Essex and Greater London since 2011. We provide free, no-obligation surveys, transparent fixed-price quotes, and ongoing maintenance and support. If you would like to discuss your security requirements, contact us or call 0204 538 5925.
Learn more about our security services or read our other blog articles for more guidance on choosing and maintaining security systems.