Questions to Ask a Security Company
Ask every provider the same questions, compare the answers side by side, and know what a good answer sounds like.
Ask for proof, not promises
Before hiring a security company, ask how it is licensed and insured, who will staff and supervise your post, how breaks and absences are covered, what records you will receive, how it responds to emergencies, and what the contract and pricing include. Send the same questions to every provider in writing, ask for documents that prove the answers, and meet the supervisor who will manage your site.
How to use these questions
- Send them in writing, together with your scope of work, so every provider answers the same questions.
- Ask for proof: a license number, a certificate of insurance, and sample reports.
- Meet the supervisor who will manage your site, not only the salesperson.
- Score each answer, then compare providers side by side.
Questions to ask, with good answers and red flags
Licensing and insurance
| Question | A good answer | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Which state or local license covers this assignment? | A license number you can check in the official registry | "We're licensed," with no number |
| Who is your insurance agent, and what coverage applies here? | The agent's contact and a current certificate that matches the assignment | A certificate sent only by the company, with no agent contact |
| Do you employ the officers, or subcontract them? | The company employs them, or names the subcontractor | An unclear answer, or subcontracting disclosed only after signing |
Staffing and training
| Question | A good answer | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| How are officers screened before they are hired? | A described screening process, including background checks where the law allows | No clear process |
| What site-specific training will officers receive before the first shift? | A site orientation and a briefing on the post orders | "All our officers are fully trained" |
| How do you keep the same officers on our site? | A plan for consistent staffing and limited turnover on the post | New faces every week with no briefing |
Supervision
| Question | A good answer | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Who supervises our post, and how do we reach them after hours? | A named supervisor with a direct after-hours contact | Only a general office number |
| How often do supervisors visit, and what do they check? | Scheduled and unannounced visits, with a record of each visit | Visits "as needed" |
| How do you check that officers understood their instructions? | Briefings, questions back to the officer, and follow-up checks | "They sign the post orders" |
Relief and missed posts
| Question | A good answer | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| How are breaks and meal periods covered? | A relief plan so the post is not left empty | The post is left uncovered during breaks |
| What happens if an officer does not show up? | A replacement plan and immediate notice to you | You find out from the empty post |
| How are hours that were not covered credited on the invoice? | A written credit for missed hours | Billing for scheduled hours instead of worked hours |
Reports and records
| Question | A good answer | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| What reports will we receive, and when? | Daily activity, patrol, and incident reports on an agreed schedule | Reports only on request |
| Can we see sample reports now? | Real samples with client details removed | A refusal, or a generic template |
| Who owns the records, and how long are they kept? | Your access during the contract and delivery of the records if it ends | Records stay with the provider only |
Emergency response
| Question | A good answer | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| What does the officer do first in a fire, medical emergency, or break-in? | Call 911 first, then follow the site escalation chain | No clear first step |
| How quickly do you respond to an alarm or urgent call, and from where? | A stated response time and starting point | "As fast as possible" |
| How are incidents reported to us? | An immediate call for serious incidents and a written report the same day | A written report days later |
Contract and pricing
| Question | A good answer | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| What does the hourly bill rate include? | An itemized rate with overtime and holiday terms | One number with no breakdown |
| How and when can the rate change? | Written notice and agreed limits | Automatic increases without notice |
| What are the terms for cancellation and renewal? | Clear notice periods and no hidden automatic renewal | A long automatic renewal with a short cancellation window |
Use the security guard contract checklist before you sign, and the security guard cost guide to understand the rate.
Verification
| Question | A good answer | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| How do you prove that patrols were completed? | Electronic patrol records with times and checkpoints | Paper logs filled in at the end of the shift |
| Can we see the patrol records ourselves? | Access to reports or a regular summary | Records not available to the client |
| What happens when a patrol is missed? | An alert, an exception report, and a correction | Missed patrols are not recorded |
Score and compare providers
Score each area from 1 (poor) to 5 (strong) for every provider. The total shows who answered with evidence, not just confidence.
| Area | Provider A | Provider B | Provider C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensing and insurance | |||
| Staffing and training | |||
| Supervision | |||
| Relief and missed posts | |||
| Reports and records | |||
| Emergency response | |||
| Contract and pricing | |||
| Verification | |||
| Total |
Questions for the site visit
- Ask the supervisor to walk the site with you and explain how they would cover it.
- Ask how the patrol route would work at night and where the checkpoints would be.
- Ask where the post orders will be kept and how officers will be briefed.
- If officers are already on site, ask one to explain their duties and whom they call first.
The answers you hear on site are often more revealing than the proposal.
Documents to request
- The license number and the exact name on the license
- A certificate of insurance, confirmed with the insurance agent
- Sample daily activity, patrol, and incident reports
- A sample post order from a similar site, with client details removed
- References from sites like yours
- The draft contract
Ask how the work will be verified
The best answer to most of these questions is a record you can review. Ask each provider how you will know that posts were covered and patrols were completed. Our provider accountability guide explains what to look for.
Digital Guard Tour is separate patrol-verification software published by Trinity Guard LLC; it is not a security guard company. The companies we recommend use it, so their patrols are recorded electronically.
Confirm the provider and the terms
This website does not employ guards. Any agreement is between you and the company you select. Confirm qualifications, staffing, insurance, and terms directly; see our referral disclosure.
Questions about hiring a security company
What questions should I ask a security company before hiring?
Ask about licensing and insurance, staffing and training, supervision, relief and missed posts, reports and records, emergency response, contract and pricing, and how patrols are verified. Ask every provider the same questions in writing.
How do I verify a security company's license?
Search the company in the official state licensing registry using its exact legal name or license number, and confirm the license is current. In states without statewide licensing, check with the city or county.
Should I meet the security supervisor before signing?
Yes. The supervisor manages your post day to day. Meeting them, ideally on a site walk, shows how well the provider understands your site.
What documents should a security company provide?
A license number, a certificate of insurance you can confirm with the agent, sample reports, a sample post order, references from similar sites, and the draft contract.
What are red flags when hiring a security company?
No license number, insurance you cannot confirm, no sample reports, vague answers about relief or supervision, billing for scheduled instead of worked hours, and pressure to sign quickly.
How many security companies should I interview?
Many buyers interview about three. Fewer makes comparison difficult; many more makes it hard to review each answer carefully.
Related pages
Ready for the next decision?
Use a clear scope and comparable terms when you contact providers.