KEN KIRSCHENBAUM, ESQ ALARM - SECURITY INDUSTRY LEGAL EMAIL NEWSLETTER / THE ALARM EXCHANGE You can read all of our articles on our website. Having trouble getting our emails? Change your spam controls and whitelist ken@kirschenbaumesq.com ****************************** salesman or estimator - who is right for the job July 4, 2025 ************************* salesman or estimator - who is right for the job ************************* Ken, We currently have one salesperson, and I handle all the estimate writing, which is taking up a significant portion of my time. With potential plans to hire a second salesperson, I'm exploring the idea of having our salespeople take on the responsibility of writing estimates. While hiring a dedicated estimator would be ideal in terms of expertise, the cost of a full-time salary and potential downtime during slower periods are a concern. However, my main reservation about having salespeople write estimates is their lack of technical background. What are your thoughts on whether it's generally a good practice in our industry to have salespeople handle the estimation process? Additionally, who do you think is better suited to conduct walkthroughs with potential clients – the salesperson or an estimator? Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Raz ************************ Response ************************ Raz, its a good question for the forum but I think more information is needed. Commercial Fire Alarms present different considerations than other systems that are not regulated except in special circumstances. You can certainly make it clear that the estimate or proposal must be approved by home office and in any event is subject to final contract execution. You sales people should develop a sufficient expertise after a few jobs. I am really at a loss because I am not sure how the training differs for an estimator and a salesman. Seems to me that both need to know how to price out a job. Levels of training and expertise do not always match the title of the job. The employee's proven track record is what matters ultimately. But, I don't own or operate an alarm or low voltage business, so let's hear from those that do who are willing to share their knowledge; thanks in advance. ******************* STANDARD FORM AGREEMENTS: To order up to date Standard Form Alarm / Security / Fire and related Agreements click here: www.alarmcontracts.com *************************** CONCIERGE LAWYER SERVICE PROGRAM FOR THE ALARM INDUSTRY - You can check out the program and sign up here: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/concierge or contact our Program Coordinator Stacy Spector, Esq at 516 747 6700 x 304. *********************** WEBINARS: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-webinars *********************** ALARM ARTICLES: You can always read our Articles on our website at www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-articles updated daily ******************** Wondering how much your alarm company is worth? Click here: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/what-is-my-alarm-company-worth *********************** THE ALARM EXCHANGE - the alarm industries leading classified and business exchange - updated daily ************************* PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ken-kirschenbaum-presents/id1794851477 ************************* Getting on our email list / Articles archived: Many of you are forwarding these emails to friends or asking that others be added to the list. Sign up for our daily newsletter here: Sign Up. ************************** Ken Kirschenbaum,Esq Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum PC Attorneys at Law 200 Garden City Plaza Garden City, NY 11530 516 747 6700 x 301 ken@kirschenbaumesq.com www.KirschenbaumEsq.com
