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 ****************************** should you provide service before contract is signed March 28, 2026 ************************* should you provide service before contract is signed ************************* Ken Do you have a recommendation as to how we handle new potential customers? Occasionally a new potential customer will request service before we have otherwise engaged them. Is your suggestion that we have them sign an agreement before we provide service? That seems unreasonable. Michael ************************* Response ************************* Under no circumstances should you perform any service, any service at all, for anyone, who has not executed your contract for the intended services. Could be a request to monitor for "just over the weekend"; could be "come and do one service call". Maybe you have a Service Ticket you use. Do you get it signed before you do the work? Think it has all that the properly drafted alarm contract has? It doesn't. Even if you do get your form signed, could the customer say you had them over the barrel and won't do the work without the contract and they didn't have time to "shop" around, or some other nonsense? They could, and will if they suffer a loss or don't want to pay you. Think you're going to get some level of appreciation out of the customer and that they will likely then sign your contract? Could be; but most likely not. And the one that won't sign will be the one that has a loss and looks to blame it on you [with your luck]. Never had a problem? Well perhaps you've heard, "there's always a first time for everything". If called in for service call require the customer to sign the All in One with at least the Per Call Service Option checked. If you learn of a new owner who hasn't, for any reason signed your contract or signed your Assignment and Assumption Agreement, stop service immediately; you don't owe that person any duty and you don't want to create any duty by assuming performance of anything. I know you like to think of yourself as a good guy; doing the right thing. That's great, but you know it's just possible that "nice guys finish last' or that "no good deed goes unpunished". If someone, anyone, needs a "favor" then they can start by doing you a favor and agreeing to your K&K Standard Form Agreement, without any changes, even if it's for a month, week year or one service call. If they won't then it's them that prevents you from doing them a "favor". ************************** STANDARD FORMS 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. *********************** ALARM ARTICLES: You can always read our Articles on our website at ww.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-articles updated daily ******************** THE ALARM EXCHANGE - the alarm industries leading classified and business exchange - updated daily ************************* Wondering how much your alarm company is worth? Click here: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/what-is-my-alarm-company-worth ****************************** Getting on our Email List / Email 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. You can read articles and order alarm contracts on our web site www.alarmcontracts.com ************************** 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
