Setting-up Business Queries

Having just escaped being attacked at work by a madman with a hammer I am thinking of a change of career! I do not have any experience of alarm installation (just general DIY experience and a computer science degree). Is it worth me doing a BTEC with TAVCOM or similar BEFORE I approach potential employers for a trainee position? If qualifications are a good idea which ones should I be looking at? Do you need a formal sparkie qualification to add a fused spur? ps No injuries were sustained in the making of this career changing decision!

Has anyone used this panel, if so what have your experiences been. How engineer/customer frendly would you rate it, im tring to find a cheaper galaxy alternative and this seems to fit the bill. Ta.

Are there any recomendations for good suppliers of all general security equipment in gloucestershire or nearest,or are you better off going to individual suppliers of desired company

Every business requires insurance: As a minimum, both the NSI and SSAIB requires the following: Public Liability, insurance against "Wrongful Advice" and "Efficacy(failure to operate" If you employ staff you are also required to hold "Employers Liabillity" insurance. Minimum insured amount of £1,000,000 per bold heading. With the cost of insurance going up all the time it pays to shop arround, there are a few companies that offer specialist cover for our market sector. This cover generally works on a declared earnings basis and is estimated by you in the first year(its important to be accurate, but dont over estimate it will cost you more) A lot of the guys on the fo…

just recently started my security company and still got a lot of things to get in place. At the moment I am subcontacting to the national comapnies but want to go my own way and establish myself in the area. I installed a alarm in a house at the weekend, for one of my mums friends, but through the company of course!, and when i'd finished I handed the system over and the asked the question "NOW WOT ABOUT MAINTAINCE CONTRACT". to wish I felt quite embarresed as I have none in place. does anyone have any templates or ideas of wot should be in a contract regerding RM's. I know the basic stuff but dont wont to come unstuck leagally. can somebody help!!! regards chris s…

I have a triple-layer extension ladder, and have damaged one of the guides (the metal clamp at the top of the middle layer, which holds the top layer to the middle layer). As a result, if I extend the top section, the ladder twists, and is patently unsafe. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement clamp? Our supplier of ladders has advised that we will need to purchase the entire middle section to get this guide (even though it just bolts on), but I think that is a bit extreme. Thanks in advance, D7

From reading a previous post I got the impression that not everyone checks the activation of the bell on hold-off failure when carrying out routine maintenance. I am curious to see how many of us do, and to what extent we carry out the test. Does anyone know if it is a NACOSS requirement for the bell to kick in on hold-off fail? D7

i recently did a course in intruder alarms, whilst i passed and enjoyed the course the electronic side of things are still confusing, i now know were a duel tech goes and why, pir ect ect ect, it was them bloody resisters, double pole and fully supervised wireing im haveing trouble with, can anyone tell me were i can get a manual on these subjects preferably in laymans terms. thanks for eading this please e-mail me on leadmanellis@yahoo.com

This is probably a dodgy subject but as a newbee to this side of the industry I would be very interested in how much people are charged and how to get more money out of the customer without causing affence (you know what I mean) for eg Service Charges,Call Outs,Maintanence,New provides and any others that i have missed.

Hi All, I am just about to finish college studying three A-levels. I was interested in getting into the security industry, firstly thinking about locksmiths, but as I have a very keen interest and a sound understanding of IT systems, the electronic security industry particuarly appeals. I would ideally like to get into an apprenticship scheme with a smaller firm, but they don't want to know. Am now looking at the large companies (Chubb, //.National Installer.//, IES) etc which look promising. Firstly would like to ask if you have any advice as to getting into the trade and also if you know of any vacancies South East England. I've got a good general education and v…

Hi all, Could anyone explain, what is involved in servicing a basic domestic system ? And what would be the ideal frequency ? , Paul.

I will be setting up in the trade myself whenI feel the time is right. However one question bothers me. Is there enough work for a non-approved installer to rely purely on alarm systems. I would also advertise telephone extension sockets and security lighting. However, do I need to have electrical qualifications to fit security lights in someones house? I also thought that it would be a good idea to have attended college to become a qualified electrician and then I could also carry out electrical work. What does anyone else think as I'm not too sure.

Hi, I'm studying electronic engineering at Cardiff University; graduating this year. I want to do something in the line of Security Installer. I was wondering if you could give me some advice on what kind of course to do? After I have finished my degree.