# How to choose an alarm company

A practical quote, licence and handover checklist for homes and businesses.

Updated 2026-11-10. Also on the [web page](https://alarminstallers.fyi/guides/choose-an-alarm-company).

Start with the property and the work you need. Describe entry points, occupied areas, existing equipment and any requirement from an insurer or authority. Do not send disarm codes or detailed security weaknesses through a public form.

## Check the contracting business

Ask for the legal name, trading name and relevant licence details. Use the official agency for the property jurisdiction. The New York Department of State, Texas Department of Public Safety and British Columbia licensing pages are examples of official starting points. Save the record and check date. A directory entry or paid badge does not replace this check.

## Ask for a survey and written scope

Request a device list and a description of each service. Separate burglar detection, fire alarm work, cameras, access control and monitoring. Ask what is excluded. Ask who performs each part and who is responsible for repairs to surfaces after cabling.

## Understand the monitoring arrangement

Ask for the station name, signal route, verification process and escalation contacts. If a UL claim is important to the project, request the exact category and public record. UL's summary explains that monitoring certifications have distinct categories. Match the evidence to the proposed service.

## Compare the whole contract

Use a table with equipment, installation, recurring charges, currency, taxes, optional services, term, renewal and cancellation. Ask who owns the equipment and how a new provider can take it over. Request any promised discount or included maintenance in writing.

## Plan the handover before paying the final invoice

Agree on user training, a supervised signal test, device labels and delivery of manuals. Ask who registers or updates the permit where applicable. Seattle and Calgary provide different examples of local alarm administration. Check the exact property rather than copying another city's process.

## Leave unknown facts blank

In this directory, owners can supply licence details, service areas, published prices and certifications when they claim a listing. Ask for evidence when those fields matter to your decision. An empty field is a reason to ask a question, not a reason to invent an answer.

## Sources

- New York Department of State, Security or Fire Alarm Installer. Public page fetched 2026-11-10: https://dos.ny.gov/security-or-fire-alarm-installer.
- Texas Department of Public Safety, Private Security. Public page fetched 2026-11-10: https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/private-security.
- Province of British Columbia, Security industry licensing. Public page fetched 2026-11-10: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-services/security-industry-licensing.
- UL Solutions, Central Station Service Certification. Public page fetched 2026-11-10: https://www.ul.com/services/central-station-service-certification.
- City of Seattle, Alarm System Monitoring. Public page fetched 2026-11-10: https://www.seattle.gov/business-regulations/alarm-system-monitoring.
- Calgary Police, Alarm Permit Information. Public page fetched 2026-11-10: https://www.calgarypolice.ca/services/security-and-alarm-permits/alarm-permit-information.html.

## Questions

### Can I use this guide instead of a site assessment?

No. Ask an alarm company for a written assessment. Confirm local requirements with the authority that applies to the property.