12 Red Flags of a Bad Security Company (and What to Do About Them)
A bad security company is worse than an obvious gap in your security, because it gives you a false sense of safety. You believe your gate is watched, your guard is alert and help will come if something happens. Then an incident reveals that none of it was true.
The good news is that most problems show warning signs long before a serious incident. This guide lists 12 red flags of a bad security company, grouped by what you can see before signing and what you notice once the service starts. For each one, we explain what to do.
Red flags before you sign
1. They cannot show their licence
Private security companies in Kenya must be registered with the Private Security Regulatory Authority. A company that avoids the question, promises to “send it later” or offers a document you cannot verify is a serious red flag. Read our guide on how to check if a security company is PSRA licensed.
What to do: do not sign until you have verified registration.
2. The price is far below everyone else’s
A quote dramatically cheaper than every other reputable company is almost always cheaper for a reason: guards paid below the legal minimum, no supervision, no relief cover or no training. A bad security company competes on price because it cannot compete on service.
What to do: ask for a breakdown of what is included. Compare using our guide to security guard rates in Kenya.
3. They will not visit your property before quoting
Every property is different. A company that quotes over the phone without seeing the site is guessing, and will likely either under-protect you or overcharge you.
What to do: insist on a site assessment before any quote.
4. They cannot explain how guards are vetted and trained
Ask how a guard goes from applicant to your gate. A professional company describes identity checks, police clearance, references and training clearly. Vague answers suggest guards are hired quickly with little screening.
What to do: ask for the vetting and training process in writing.
5. There is no clear written contract
A bad security company prefers informal arrangements, because it avoids commitments. Without a contract, you have no written standard to enforce.
What to do: read our 15 questions to ask before signing a security contract and get everything in writing.
6. No office, no landline, one phone number
A single mobile number and no physical office make it hard to escalate problems or reach anyone at night.
What to do: visit the office, and check that someone answers at 2am.
Red flags after the service starts
7. Guards change constantly
If you see a new face at your gate every week, the company likely has high turnover, often because guards are underpaid or poorly treated. Constant change means nobody learns your routine, your visitors or your risks.
What to do: ask for a consistent guard and raise the issue with management.
8. You never see a supervisor
Supervision is what keeps night guards alert. If no supervisor has visited in weeks, or you cannot get supervision records, the company is not managing its people.
What to do: ask for supervision records and the next scheduled visit. See why security guard supervision matters.
9. Guards sleep, drink or leave the post
Any of these is a serious failure. One instance may be an individual problem; a pattern reflects a bad security company that does not supervise or discipline its staff.
What to do: report every instance in writing, and ask for the guard to be replaced.
10. Posts are left empty
An empty gate is worse than no guard, because you assume it is covered. If your guard fails to report and nobody replaces them, relief cover is not working.
What to do: record dates and times, and ask how relief cover will be fixed.
11. Nobody reads or keeps the occurrence book
If the book is blank, messy or missing, you have no record of what happens at night. Read our occurrence book guide to know what to expect.
What to do: ask for the book to be kept properly and reviewed by supervisors.
12. Complaints go nowhere
A good company treats complaints as a chance to improve. A bad one ignores them, blames the guard, or promises change that never comes.
What to do: put complaints in writing, set a deadline, and start planning a switch if nothing changes.
Worried your current security isn't good enough? Call us for a second opinion
Talk to a Bestcare Security adviser now: call 0709 004 600. We answer 24/7 and the first site assessment is free.
Summary table
| Red flag | Risk to you | First action |
|---|---|---|
| No verifiable licence | Unregulated guards, legal exposure | Do not sign |
| Price far below market | Underpaid, unsupervised guards | Ask for a cost breakdown |
| No site visit | Wrong protection | Insist on an assessment |
| Vague vetting | Untrustworthy guards | Get the process in writing |
| No contract | Nothing to enforce | Get a written contract |
| No office | Can’t escalate problems | Visit and test the phone line |
| Constant guard changes | Nobody knows your site | Ask for consistency |
| No supervisors | Sleeping or absent guards | Ask for records |
| Misconduct on duty | Direct security failure | Report and replace |
| Empty posts | False sense of security | Record and escalate |
| No occurrence book | No record of events | Demand proper records |
| Ignored complaints | Nothing improves | Escalate, then switch |
Why these problems happen
Most failures trace back to cost-cutting. When a company undercuts the market, it has to save somewhere. The usual places are guard wages, training, supervision and relief cover, which are exactly the things that make guarding work. Underpaid guards take second jobs and arrive exhausted. Untrained guards do not know what to do in an emergency. Unsupervised guards drift into bad habits. Without relief cover, posts go empty.
This is why the cheapest option so often turns out to be the most expensive, once you count losses, disruption and the cost of changing providers.
How to switch away from a bad security company
If you recognise several of these red flags, it may be time to move on. Changing providers is simpler than many people think:
- Check your contract’s notice period.
- Get quotes and site assessments from new providers.
- Choose a new company using our checklist for how to choose a security company in Kenya.
- Agree a start date with the new provider before giving notice.
- Plan the handover so there is no gap in cover.
Our full guide on how to change security company without a gap covers each step.
What good looks like
For comparison, a professional security company will:
- Show its licence without hesitation
- Visit your site before quoting
- Explain vetting, training and supervision clearly
- Provide a written contract with clear scope and service levels
- Keep the same guards at your site where possible
- Supervise guards day and night
- Keep proper records and share them with you
- Respond to complaints quickly and in writing
At Bestcare Security, our manned guarding services are built around these standards. If you are unhappy with your current provider, we are happy to assess your site and show you what a better service would look like, with no obligation.
A quick test you can run tonight
If you are not sure whether your current provider is a bad security company, try a simple check. Visit or call your gate at an unusual hour, such as 2am, without warning. Is the guard awake and at the post? Does the guard answer the phone and know who you are? Then call the company’s main number. Does anyone answer? Can they tell you when a supervisor last visited? Finally, ask to see the occurrence book in the morning. Is last night recorded clearly?
A good company passes this test easily. If yours struggles with more than one part of it, take that as a sign to start the conversation about improvement, or a replacement.
How to raise concerns constructively
Not every problem means you have hired a bad security company. Sometimes a single guard is the issue, or a new supervisor needs time to settle in. Raise concerns early and in writing, with dates, times and specific examples. Ask for a meeting with the account manager, agree clear actions and a deadline, and then check whether things improve. A good company will respond quickly and show you what has changed. If the same problems return month after month, that pattern tells you what you need to know.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my security company is bad?
Look for guards who change constantly, sleep or leave the post, no supervisor visits, missing records, empty posts and complaints that go nowhere. One issue may be fixable; a pattern is a warning sign.
Is a cheap security company always bad?
Not always, but a price far below reputable competitors usually means guards are underpaid or unsupervised. Ask what is included before deciding.
What should I do if my guard is sleeping on duty?
Record the date and time, report it in writing to the security company and ask for the guard to be replaced. Ask how supervision will be improved.
Can I terminate a contract with a bad security company?
Usually yes, by giving notice under the contract. Some contracts allow early termination for poor performance. Check the terms before acting.
How do I avoid hiring a bad security company in the first place?
Verify the licence, insist on a site visit, ask about vetting, training and supervision, and get a clear written contract.
Can Bestcare Security assess my current setup?
Yes. Call 0709 004 600 for a free site assessment and an honest second opinion.
Related reading
- How to Choose a Security Company in Kenya: A 12-Point Checklist
- 15 Questions to Ask Before Signing a Security Contract in Kenya
- In-House Guards vs Outsourced Security Services: Which Is Better in Kenya?
Explore our security services in Kenya or see all our security services in Kenya.
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