Hiring a security service: how to recognise a reputable provider
When hiring a security service, first look for the permit under § 34a GewO, for proven qualification of the guards and for valid insurance. A reputable provider shows these documents without hesitation before the contract is signed. If it hesitates, that is a warning sign.
Every guarding company in Germany needs a trade permit under § 34a, and the staff deployed need, depending on the task, a briefing or the qualification exam at the IHK. Anyone who employs guards must also register them in the guard register (Bewacherregister). Also ask about the liability insurance, because in the event of damage it decides whether claims can actually be enforced.
You should have these documents shown to you before signing:
- the trade permit under § 34a GewO with a current date and the name of the company
- the proof of qualification or briefing for the staff who will be deployed at your property
- the valid proof of insurance, in which personal injury and property damage are expressly named
At ESG Solution, the staff are IHK-certified. It is best to talk about guard services in Berlin only once these documents are on the table.
How much staff does your property need? Inspect first, then quote
A good provider plans staffing after a site inspection and not from a standard package. A logistics yard, a sales floor and a company lobby need different guard profiles and shift models. A provider that does not offer an inspection in advance can hardly assess the actual risk situation.
This often shows later in wrongly sized shifts, which either cover too little or cause unnecessary costs. That is why it runs in four steps with us: first comes the risk analysis, from which the strategy follows, then come deployment and monitoring, and finally the set-up is optimised.
From your side the process is simple, because only these details are helpful for the first conversation, even if they are not yet complete:
- a site plan or a short description of the grounds with all entrances and access roads
- previous incidents, such as break-ins, thefts or damage to property, with the approximate period
- the times when the property is in use and the times when it stands empty
Depending on the task, property protection with fixed patrols, a staffed reception or a combination of both is the right fit.
Checking 24/7 availability: the questions you should ask
Ask specifically what "24/7 availability" means for this provider, and get the answer in writing. An advertising slogan says nothing about who picks up the phone at three o'clock at night and what happens next. A control centre that alerts a second officer or the police when needed is worth more than any promise without a procedure.
Do not ask for promises but for a described procedure that you can check later. At ESG Solution we are reachable around the clock, and how an alarm is handled for you is something we define together beforehand. These questions help you compare providers better:
- Who takes an alarm or call at night, and is it always the same point of contact?
- How does the control centre proceed in the event of staff absence or several simultaneous alarms?
- Is every alarm documented, and do you receive a report about it?
The second question in particular separates providers that have a plan from providers that merely quote a number. If you are unsure which procedure suits your property, a free consultation helps with the assessment.
Reports and contact person: what matters during the contract term
Reporting should not end when the contract is signed but should continue with regular shift reports and a fixed contact person. This contact person answers questions without delay and knows your property. A provider that reports deviations from the agreed staffing on its own initiative is the more reliable partner in the long run.
In the contract, also check whether the operating instruction for your property is recorded in writing. It contains patrols, access rules and the conduct to follow in case of incidents. If video technology is used, the contract should also regulate data protection under the GDPR and the BDSG. This is orientation and not legal advice.
You should take these three warning signs seriously when choosing, even if the price is right:
- The quote arrives without a site inspection and without follow-up questions about your grounds
- Proof is promised only verbally or is submitted only after the contract is signed
- There is no named contact person, and no reports are planned
A comparison along these criteria takes longer than a glance at the hourly rate, but it pays off. We are happy to discuss your property in a free, non-binding consultation.
Legal basis: § 34a GewO, Bewachungsverordnung (BewachV), guard register (Bewacherregister), GDPR and BDSG
