How to Choose a Security Company: 6 Checks Before You Sign

Every layer in this site's other guides - alarms, CCTV, armed response, fencing, access control - is only as good as the company that installs and monitors it. A well-specified system from an unregistered or unreliable installer is still a bad buy. Here's what to check before you sign anything.

1. PSIRA registration - non-negotiable

Any company providing installation, monitoring or armed response in South Africa must be registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA), and so must the individual officers who respond to your property. Ask for the company's PSIRA registration number up front and don't proceed without it - this applies to every service on this site, from a single gate motor install to full armed response.

2. Get at least three written, on-site quotes

A phone estimate is not a quote. Insist on someone visiting your property, and compare quotes line by line for the same scope: number and resolution of cameras, hours of recording storage, battery backup, number of remotes or tags, and whether monitoring is month-to-month or a locked-in contract. Browse installers by city to build a shortlist of at least three.

3. Ask about response time, not just coverage

If armed response is part of the deal, the number that matters is minutes from trigger to a vehicle at your gate - in your suburb, not a national average. Ask how many vehicles cover your area after hours. See our armed response vs monitored alarm guide for the full breakdown of what each response tier actually does.

4. Read the contract term and cancellation notice

Monitoring and armed response are usually sold as a monthly service, sometimes on a fixed-term contract (12-36 months is common). Before signing, confirm:

• The minimum contract term and what happens if you move house or sell.
• The cancellation notice period.
• Whether equipment is owned outright or rented as part of the monthly fee - this changes what happens if you cancel or switch providers.

5. Confirm load-shedding backup in writing

Alarms, cameras, gate motors and intercoms all need to keep working during an outage. Don't accept "it has a battery" - ask for the backup runtime in writing, in open/close cycles or hours, for every powered component. Our access control guide and CCTV buyer's guide cover what to ask per device.

6. Check paperwork specific to the work

• Electric fencing: the installer must be a registered electric fence system installer able to issue an Electric Fence Certificate of Compliance (CoC) - see our electric fence CoC guide.
• Electrical work generally: any wiring should be done to code by a suitably qualified installer.
• References: ask for two or three recent local customers you can actually call, not just a testimonials page.

Red flags

• No PSIRA number, or reluctance to provide it.
• Only a verbal or phone quote, no on-site visit.
• Pressure to sign the same day for a "special" price.
• Vague answers on response time or backup power.
• No written contract, or a contract you don't get to keep a copy of.

Where to start

Read our full home-security guide for how the layers fit together, then compare installers by city and get your three written quotes before deciding. If you're still deciding whether you need a professional at all, see DIY security vs a professional installer. Once you've installed, ask your insurer what proof they'll want - see home insurance discounts for alarms, CCTV and armed response. Securing a shop or office instead of a home? See our business and commercial premises security guide for what changes.