Hiring a security guard company is a decision about risk. The people, property, and operations you are protecting depend on whether the provider shows up, does the job properly, and handles problems the right way. Yet many buyers in Philadelphia choose a provider based on a phone call, a website, and an hourly rate.
The better approach is to ask direct questions and judge the answers. A professional company will welcome them. A weak one will avoid them. This guide gives you 12 questions to ask before you sign a security contract in Philadelphia, along with what a good answer looks like and what should concern you.
It is written for property managers, business owners, school and healthcare administrators, construction managers, and event organizers in Philadelphia and the surrounding PA/NJ/DE region.
Before You Start: Define What You Need
You cannot compare providers fairly until you know what you are asking them to do. Before contacting any company, write down:
- The property address and type (office, retail, apartment building, warehouse, school, construction site, event venue).
- The hours you need covered, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
- The number of entrances, buildings, and areas that need attention.
- The main risks, such as theft, trespassing, vandalism, tenant disputes, or unauthorized access.
- Whether you need fixed posts, mobile patrol, access control, or a combination.
- Whether you are considering armed or unarmed officers.
- Your start date and the expected length of the contract.
With this information, every company is bidding on the same assignment, and their answers will be easier to compare.
The 12 Questions to Ask
1. Are your officers properly licensed or certified for this assignment?
Requirements depend on the type of work. In Pennsylvania, armed officers must hold certification under the Lethal Weapons Training Act, commonly called Act 235. School assignments and other specialized posts can carry their own training and credential requirements, and New Jersey and Delaware have their own frameworks if your sites cross state lines.
A good answer: The company explains the requirements for your specific assignment and offers to provide documentation for each officer before deployment.
A warning sign: Vague answers, or a claim that credentials are “handled” without any proof.
2. How do you screen and hire your officers?
The person standing at your property represents your business. Ask about background checks, reference checks, identity verification, and any other screening the company performs.
A good answer: A clear, consistent screening process that applies to every officer, with the company willing to explain what it checks.
A warning sign: Screening that is informal or inconsistent, or a company that hires quickly to fill shifts without checks.
3. What training do your officers receive?
Training affects how officers handle visitors, conflicts, emergencies, and reports. Ask about initial training, site-specific orientation, and ongoing refreshers. Also ask whether officers receive instruction in areas relevant to you, such as customer service, de-escalation, access control, fire safety, or first aid.
A good answer: A defined training program, plus a site-specific briefing before each officer starts at your property.
A warning sign: Training that consists of “on-the-job learning” with no structure.
4. Do you have experience with properties like mine?
Guarding an apartment building is different from guarding a hospital, a warehouse, a school, or a hotel. Experience with your type of property means the company already understands the typical risks, the people involved, and the procedures that work.
A good answer: Relevant examples from similar clients, and specific ideas about how they would approach your site.
A warning sign: A generic pitch that could apply to any property.
5. How will you supervise officers once they are on site?
Supervision is where many security contracts succeed or fail. An officer without oversight can slip into poor habits. Ask whether supervisors visit the site, how often, and what they check.
A good answer: Scheduled and unannounced supervisor inspections, documented follow-up, and a named manager you can call.
A warning sign: No supervisors, or supervisors who only respond when there is a complaint.
6. What happens if an officer calls off or does not show up?
Coverage gaps are one of the most common complaints about security companies. Ask how the provider handles sick calls, no-shows, and last-minute schedule changes, especially overnight and on weekends.
A good answer: A defined replacement process, backup officers, and a commitment to notify you immediately when coverage changes.
A warning sign: “That rarely happens” with no plan for when it does.
7. What reports and communication will I receive?
You should know what is happening at your property. Ask what reports are included, how fast incidents are communicated, and whether you will have a direct contact at the company.
A good answer: Daily activity reports, prompt incident reports, a clear escalation path, and ideally digital reporting you can access.
A warning sign: Reports only “on request,” or no clear point of contact.
8. What insurance do you carry?
Security work involves risk. A reputable provider carries general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage, and can show you proof. Ask for a certificate of insurance, and ask whether your business can be listed as an additional insured where appropriate.
A good answer: Quick delivery of current insurance documents and willingness to meet your contract requirements.
A warning sign: Hesitation, outdated certificates, or insurance that does not match the size of the contract.
9. Can you provide references or examples of similar work?
A company that does good work is usually glad to have you talk to its clients. Ask for references from clients with similar properties and call them. Ask about reliability, communication, and how problems were handled.
A good answer: Several references, ideally from properties like yours, with clients who are willing to talk.
A warning sign: No references, or only references the company chooses not to connect.
10. How do you handle incidents and emergencies?
The true test of a security company is what happens when something goes wrong. Ask about procedures for emergencies, medical events, fires, theft, trespassers, and disputes. Ask when officers call 911, when they call you, and how incidents are documented afterward.
A good answer: Written procedures, post orders tailored to your property, and a clear chain of notification.
A warning sign: Informal answers like “our guys know what to do.”
11. Can your service adjust as my needs change?
Security needs change. A property may need extra coverage during a renovation, a special event, or a spike in incidents. Ask whether the company can add officers, change hours, or add patrols and specialized services without starting over.
A good answer: A flexible staffing model, with the ability to scale up for events or emergencies and scale down when the risk drops.
A warning sign: Rigid packages that do not fit your actual needs.
12. What are the pricing and contract terms?
Ask for a written proposal that clearly states the number of officers, hours, duties, supervision, reporting, equipment, and total cost. Also ask about contract length, billing, overtime and holiday rates, minimum hours, and how to cancel.
A good answer: A transparent proposal that explains what is included and why the recommended staffing fits your property.
A warning sign: A very low hourly rate with unclear scope, hidden charges, or pressure to sign immediately.
How to Compare Security Companies Side by Side
After you have asked the questions, put the answers in a simple comparison. Use the same categories for each company:
- Number of officers and hours of coverage
- Armed or unarmed staffing
- Officer qualifications and training
- Supervision and inspection frequency
- Reporting and communication
- Replacement coverage for call-offs
- Insurance and compliance documents
- References
- Contract terms and total cost
If two proposals look very different, ask why. One company may have assessed the site differently, or it may be leaving out services the other includes. Do not assume the cheaper bid is the better value, or that the most expensive one is automatically the safest.
Red Flags to Watch For
- No site visit. A company that quotes without ever seeing your property is guessing.
- Pressure to sign quickly. Good providers give you time to evaluate.
- Unclear answers about credentials or insurance.
- No supervision plan.
- A price that is far below every other quote. Low prices can reflect reduced scope, poor wages that lead to turnover, or corners cut elsewhere.
- Reluctance to provide references.
- A one-size-fits-all package that ignores your actual risks.
What Makes Philadelphia Different
Philadelphia is a varied market. Center City high-rises, rowhouse neighborhoods, hospitals and universities, industrial areas, transit corridors, and busy event venues all have different security needs. Companies that serve the region regularly understand local conditions, including how foot traffic, public transit, and neighboring properties affect your site.
It also helps to choose a provider that can cover the whole region if you have properties in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties, or on the other side of the Delaware River. A company that knows the rules in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware can support you as you grow.
Should You Choose a Local Company?
Local knowledge, quick response times, and the ability to visit your site in person are real advantages. A local company can respond when an officer calls off, when an incident occurs, or when you need to change the schedule on short notice. Ask any provider where its supervisors are based and how fast they can reach your property.
How Elite Guard Security Can Help
Elite Guard Security is a Philadelphia-based security company serving the PA/NJ/DE tri-state region, providing security guard services for commercial, residential, school, construction, and event environments across Philadelphia and the surrounding counties.
We start with your property and your risks, then recommend the right mix of officers, patrol, access control, and specialized coverage. Contact us to discuss your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a security guard company in Philadelphia?
Define your needs first, then ask each company about credentials, screening, training, supervision, call-off coverage, reporting, insurance, references, emergency procedures, flexibility, and contract terms. Compare the answers side by side rather than relying on price alone.
What should I look for in a security guard company?
Look for reliability, proper qualifications for the assignment, trained and supervised officers, clear reporting, appropriate insurance, relevant experience, and transparent pricing.
Do security guards in Pennsylvania need a license?
It depends on the role. Armed officers in Pennsylvania must hold Act 235 certification. Other roles can have different training requirements, so ask the company to explain what applies to your assignment and to provide proof.
Should I hire armed or unarmed security?
Most properties are well served by unarmed officers. Armed coverage should be based on a specific risk assessment, not on appearance.
Is the cheapest security company a bad choice?
Not necessarily, but a very low price deserves a closer look. Check what is included in terms of staffing, supervision, reporting, and coverage reliability before you decide.
Should a security company visit my property before quoting?
Yes. A site visit lets the provider understand the layout, access points, risks, and hours, and gives you a more accurate quote.
What insurance should a security company have?
At minimum, general liability and workers’ compensation coverage. Ask for a certificate of insurance and confirm that it fits your contract requirements.
How long should a security contract be?
That depends on your needs. Many clients prefer a clear initial term with the ability to adjust or cancel on reasonable notice. Review the cancellation terms carefully before signing.
Final Thoughts
The right security company is not the one with the lowest rate or the longest sales pitch. It is the one that understands your property, backs up its promises with documentation, supervises its officers, and responds when something goes wrong.
Use these 12 questions as a checklist, compare the answers, and trust the company that gives you clear, specific, and verifiable responses. When you are ready to talk about your property, contact Elite Guard Security.