Choosing a security agency is often narrowed down to an hourly rate. This is important, but without checking insurance, substitutability, qualification of people and reporting, a low price can mean a weak operation. Here are five signs it makes sense to check before signing a contract.
1. Price below the cost limit
Security is a labor-intensive service. If the agency offers you a rate of 130 CZK/hour and at the same time claims that the guard will be paid decently, it is a good idea to ask for a detailed explanation. It may be about undervalued contributions, a missing reserve for substitutability or a non-standard form of employment.
2. "We have insurance" but they won't show the certificate
Every agency claims to be insured. But for what? And to what height? Common liability insurance often includes exclusions for "damage caused by theft" or "damage to guarded property".
Want to see the policy and check the coverage limit. For bigger ones logistics premises the limit should correspond to the value of the protected traffic and possible damages.
3. High staff turnover
If there's a different person sitting at your gate every week, that's a problem. The guard needs time to get to know the premises, the staff and the routine. That's when he notices that there is "something different". Constantly changing people means constant training and holes in security.
4. No control system
Confidence in one's own people is important, but in the security service it must be complemented by control and reporting. A serious agency uses:
- Electronic patrol systems (Active Guard, EGS), which record the movement of the guard in real time.
- Spot checks inspektorem provozu (i v noci).
- Regular reporting klientovi.
5. They promise a different type of service than they actually deliver
In the menu, the service may look different from how it then works on site. The physical fitness, communication, technical literacy and experience of the people must match the type of service. For construction you need a different profile than on recepci or to the administrative building.
Choosing an agency is a partnership. Look for a company that talks openly with you about guard wages, risks and what you're actually getting for your money.
Also read about comparison of physical security and camera systemsto know which combination to choose.
How to compare two quotes side by side
If you have two offers on the table with different prices, don't just compare the rate. Create a simple spreadsheet: number of people, number of hours, allowances, substitutability, responsible person, insurance, reporting, equipment and performance review method. Only then can it be seen whether it is really the same scope of service.
For long-term facility security, also ask about onboarding documentation, training for a specific location, transfer of shifts and rules for changes in operation. For a one-off event, again for briefing, division of roles, shift commander and communication with the organizer. The same rate may mean different real service in each of these modes.
What to ask for in writing
- Scope of Service: where the worker stands, what he checks and what no longer belongs to the service.
- Zastupitelnost: how to deal with illness, delays or sudden stoppage of shift.
- Reporting: how often the client receives the record and in what form.
- Incidenty: who decides on escalation and to whom the situation is reported.
- Information protection: how to work with cameras, records, keys, codes and traffic data.
When to ask for a supplementary meeting
If the offers differ significantly, a short meeting or a tour of the property is worthwhile. The contractor should be able to explain how he arrived at the proposed number of people, why he is counting on a certain regime of rounds and what risks he sees in the assignment. If they can't describe the operational logic of the service, it's likely that the quote was just based on the rate.
A good meeting doesn't have to be long. It is enough to go through the entrances, critical places, peak times, responsible persons and the way of reporting. From this information, you can tell if the agency is thinking about your traffic, or if it is offering a generic package with no relation to reality.
If after these questions the supplier refines the offer, it is a good sign. The security service should be based on specific traffic, not on a universal template. After the negotiation, the client should know exactly what he is buying, who will lead the service and how to know that the agreed regime really works. It is this clarity that is often more important than the lowest number on the table and helps avoid disputes later.
