Check NSI or SSAIB approval
NSI (National Security Inspectorate) and SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board) are the two independent approval bodies recognised by UK insurers and the police. An approved company is audited annually, so standards are maintained. Ask for the company's registration number and verify it on the NSI or SSAIB website before signing anything.
Demand a free site survey
Any reputable installer will visit your property, assess your specific vulnerabilities and provide a written, itemised quote before asking for a deposit. If a company offers a fixed price over the phone without seeing your property, walk away — the quote will either be unrealistically low or it will escalate once they are on site.
Ask about installation standards
Burglar alarms should be installed to BS EN 50131. Fire alarms should meet BS 5839. CCTV systems should comply with BS 8418. These are the standards insurers check when assessing claims. A professional company will know these standards by heart; an unqualified fitter may not.
Understand the warranty and aftercare
Ask specifically what the warranty covers and for how long. The industry standard is one year; a confident company offering 5–10 years on parts and labour is signalling that they stand behind their workmanship. Also clarify who responds if your alarm goes off at 3am — do they have their own 24/7 support team or do they sub-contract?
Check reviews and references
Look for Google reviews that mention specific engineers by name and describe the detail of the installation, not just a generic 'great service'. Ask the company if they can put you in touch with a commercial customer in your area — businesses have more to lose from a poor installation and their opinion carries more weight.
Clarify the monitoring contract terms
If you want monitored alarm response, ask for the contract length, the monthly fee, what the cancellation policy is and whether the monitoring is handled in-house or by a third party. Some companies tie you to five-year contracts with substantial early-termination penalties. Look for month-to-month monitoring or short fixed terms.
Compare at least three quotes
The cheapest installer is rarely the best value. Compare the spec of equipment quoted, the warranty duration, the monitoring terms and the installer's credentials. A higher upfront cost from an NSI-approved company with a 10-year warranty is almost always better value than a budget quote from an uncertified fitter with no aftercare.
Get a Free Survey from NSI-Approved Engineers
Sure Alarms is NSI/SSAIB approved. Free site survey, written quote, 10-year warranty.