Getting alarm bids and pricing in Utah

Contact Larry Love (801) 428 1384 Larry@peakalarm.com www.peakalarm.com for suggestions, corrections or information about pricing and bids.

In order to get bids for an alarm system in Utah it will be prudent to keep these things in mind: 1. Get a drawing done so all bidders are bidding the same locations and equipment. Get this drawing done even if it is hand drawn so all bidders are bidding the same work. 2. Put a clear scope of work together so all companies will know exactly what needs to be done. 3. Avoid equipment brands that only have one dealer in the State because if they win the bid and install that equipment you are stuck with that for service and sales of equipment. 4. Check and see if any codes apply for your system or special licensing that may be needed. 5. Compare apples to apples since a commercial security system is different that a residential system. 6. Example adding a residential smoke detector to your security system for a home is fine but for a business is not. 7. Insist on sitting down with the alarm representative and asking questions. 8. It is best to have the same company install the system that will monitor the system if possible to you can avoid 3rd party services as much as possible. 9. Peak Alarm can provide the CAD drawings, design, alarm installation, inspections, monitoring and even Guard response in Salt Lake all from one company. 10. Get pricing for monitoring as well as any additional services like guard response or if you need web access or openings and closings to know when your alarm system is being armed and disarmed and by whom. We had a tanning salon that we were monitoring and I called the owner after reviewing his opening and closing reports and asked him if it was normally for employees to come in at 3AM and he said no why? I explained and he found out employees were bringing their friends in to tan early in the morning. 11. Ask the Alarm Company to price the least expensive system as well as a system with quality equipment and ask what the difference is in the higher end equipment so you can decide what is best for your situation. 12. Determine if any other work needs to be done like high voltage electrical outlets and be clear about who will pay for this so it will be included. Normally alarm companies only do low voltage work but they can hire an electrical contractor to do the high voltage if needed or the owner can take care of that.