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Notice: Contract updates and "sale"
Welcome back to work on the first working day of the year, though many of you may be reading this while still on vacation. To help you along with 2015 New Year resolutions, the
Standard Form Agreements have been updated and it's time for you to update your forms. Changes were made as recently as third week in December. Only the All in One forms will be updated at no charge. If you purchased an All in One on or after June 1, 2014 you are entitled to a FREE UPDATE. If you purchased an All in One between January 1, 2014 and May 30, 2014 your update is half price. If you don't have the All in One forms. or if purchased in 2013 or earlier get the most current form before January 8, 2015 and receive $100 off each All in One form and $25 off the Disclaimer Notice. Call our Contract Administrator Eileen Wagda at 516 747 6700 x 312 to arrange the discounted price. If ordering for the first time please go to www.alarmcontracts.com to place your order and take the discount when completing the order form.****
Another Notice: I am planning a few webinars that will be announced shortly. A well known alarm expert will be presenting on a number of liability topics involving design, installation and services, important to alarm company owners, operation managers, technicians, insurance brokers and claims representatives. Watch for the scheduled announcement.
Another webinar will present on topic of alarm salesman perception.
Yet another webinar will be How a small alarm company can get big. I am looking for a few panelists for this one. Anyone interested please give me a call. I promise to do most of the work.
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COMMENT ON LICENSE QUALIFIERS FROM DEC 10 2014
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Ken,
I appreciate your timely emails. In reference to the licensing in Florida, so many companies do not have a license, for low voltage work. The State of Florida DBPR that regulates these wont investigate unless the complaintent performs investigation for them, beforehand, and you must provide them copies of contracts, etc.. Just because you advertise that you have been in business for many years and state they perform work that requires a license, they dont list any license number in their advertisements, it is not enough for them to do anything. Even with the BASA/FASA certifications, this seems to only apply to those in the fire trade. Otherwise, no one ever asks for your card. My belief is that they either enforce the rules that most of us follow, or abolish them completely. If I follow their philosphy, I can advertise as an attorney, etc. But, I am sure they would have an issue with them. Keep up the good work.
Scott R. Roether, Vice President
TEM Systems, Inc.
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RESPONSE
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You are not alone in your frustration; it is shared by most every licensed alarm professional. Why bother with the license when enforcement is so lax? People have different levels for risk taking. An unlicensed alarm installer or mechanic faces not only potential criminal charges but additional exposure for liability. Whatever presumption for special skills a licensed company has will not be available to the unlicensed. In fact it's more than likely they will be presumed unqualified.
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QUALIFIER AGREEMENT
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Ken
Do I need an agreement after many years of being the qualifier? How does it work with a large corporation? What should my responsibilities be? I have been reading your articles regarding license qualifiers and I think I am not doing the right thing for myself.
Please any assistance or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
name withheld
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RESPONSE
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Maybe your luck won't run out. Your employer is not likely to go out of business and leave you holding the bag, but might decide to hang you out to dry if it has license problems. If you're asking me what your responsibilities as license qualifier are then it's likely that you aren't aware of your responsibilities or exposure. You and your company may be taking the license requirements too seriously, and you should. Your company can cover your fines but can't restore your license if it's suspended or revoked.
It also sounds like your company has imposed the license qualifier role upon you without compensation. Too often employees agree to be the license holder and don't think they should get extra compensation. I do. You don't have to be a pig about it, but you have license responsibilities beyond your day to day chores, even if you are the license coordinator for the company.
Do yourself a favor and let the company know you need a Qualifier Agreement. You can let the company know that the company will also benefit by the Qualifier Agreement because there is going to be many provisions in the Agreement that protects the company. Also, expect the company to pay for the Qualifier Agreement. Our charge is $1500. Call me if you want to start the year off right.