Blogs

5 Questions for Choosing the Right Security Bid for Your Property

When it comes to choosing the right security bid for your residents, employees, or customers, many people will simply look at the money. The bid that has the lowest amount of zeros in front of the decimal point wins the day. 

But does just having the lowest bid make a company worthy of your business? Will they meet your needs and continue evolving their services as your needs change? 

Here are five questions to ask yourself in order to choose the security bid that is right for you and your property.

1. What do I need from a private security company?

Perhaps the largest question of all is: What are you hoping to accomplish by hiring a private security company? Are you having issues with break-ins? Parking violations? Loitering? 

Nail down the issues that you are hoping a private security can help you with and convey it clearly and concisely when seeking a bid. Having a clear picture of your needs will aid any company in building a plan that will work for you.

A “one-size-fits-all” security company is definitely not something you want, because it will either be too many features you don’t need or too small to cover what you need without paying extra for the services you do need. 

2. Has each security company done a site assessment?

An on-site security assessment is required in order to get a quality security bid that is catered to your property’s unique needs. Did the bidding companies visit your property to assess environmental and historical factors that could play a part in proper security? 

The assessments also help the company in determining what kind of patrols, how many, and other security measures appropriate for your community. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. They are the security experts, but you have a right to know and understand the rationale behind their recommendations. 

3. What kind of mobile security patrols does the bid recommend?

What kind of mobile security patrols will each security company use? Companies who use a high visibility SUV with professional branding — not just a small “SECURITY” written on the side of their tiny hatchback ala the 1980s — demonstrate a strong visible deterrence on your property, while roving, mobile patrols can virtually eliminate problems associated with stationary posts. Random patrol routes — not an easy-to-dodge once every hour on the hour patrol — make it hard for criminal elements to determine when to get up to mischief. 

Some companies may recommend more patrols than others, but quantity over quality is always suspicious. If a company says they will do three 5-minute patrols every hour, but you know it takes at least 10 minutes to do a thorough inspection of your property, then more patrols isn’t really getting the job done. One 15-minute patrol every hour may seem like less, but they are more likely getting the job done right the first time.

4. How much does technology play a part in security services?

We live in a 24/7, always connected world, and you need to make sure your security company is using up-to-date technology to enhance their services and protection of what is important to you. (You may want to ditch the company that hands you reports in a Steno notebook punctuated with Polaroids). 

Technology keeps you connected with your security company, through online reporting, photos, and videos. Some even offer GPS coordinates so you can see where your patrols are at any given time. 

A good security company will have all reports compiled online in an easy-to-find format, and a great one will offer analytics to analyze your reports to search for trends and recurring incidents. 

5. Are you comfortable with the kind of communications you receive?

Hand-in-hand with technology is the communication that goes along with it. Technology has taken away a lot of face-to-face communication, but doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to never meeting your security company in person. Good communication with your security company helps build trust. Choose a security company that has a friendly face (a real face, not their computer avatar!) and a reliable, professionally trained security officer that will work with you at any time of the day. 

Choosing the right security company

There are a lot of top-notch private security companies out there, and a lot of not-so-top-notch companies. You usually get what you pay for, but asking yourself these simple questions may help you get the most out of your money, and the best protection for the things you care about most.

Want to learn more about mobile patrol security and if it’s the right solution for your property? Click here to learn more.

For Barb Alekna and Greg Pencosky, building Signal of West Virginia has always been about more than growing a security business. It’s about creating an organization where people can build meaningful careers, develop into leaders, and make a lasting impact in the communities they serve.

Since launching Signal of West Virginia in September 2024, that vision has guided the team’s approach to growth. From earning their first client to developing their first leaders, Barb and Greg have focused on building the business one relationship, one employee, and one client at a time.

That commitment to people, consistency, and continuous improvement is helping Signal of West Virginia establish a reputation for professionalism and dependable service across the state.

Building a Culture People Can Grow In

When Barb and Greg reflect on what makes them most proud, their answer comes back to their team. From the beginning, they wanted to create more than a successful security company. They wanted to build a career culture where employees could grow, take pride in their work, and become leaders.

“We strive to create an environment where each security officer and team member understands they’re not simply filling a security post,” they explain. “They’re protecting people, building relationships, solving problems, and representing the Signal brand with professionalism and integrity.”

That philosophy shapes how the team approaches every client and every assignment. Whether supporting apartment communities, healthcare facilities, major retailers, or special events, officers are expected to bring more than security expertise to the job.

Professionalism, reliability, communication, and dedication are all part of the standard.

For Barb and Greg, some of the most rewarding moments come from watching that culture take shape: seeing a new hire gain confidence, an officer advance into a leadership role, or a client recognize a team member for going above and beyond.

Earning Growth One Relationship at a Time

Launching a new franchise comes with challenges, but building Signal of West Virginia meant starting almost entirely from scratch.

Before the first contract, the organization had no established presence in the state, no existing clients, no employees, and no revenue. Barb and Greg had experience leading successful Signal operations, but they understood that success in another market wouldn’t automatically translate to West Virginia.

Instead, they relied on proven Signal processes while taking the time to understand the local market and build credibility from the ground up.

“Everything we’ve built since then has been earned one relationship, one employee, and one client at a time.”

That approach required humility, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. Not every proposal became a contract, and not every challenge had an immediate solution, but each experience became an opportunity to improve.

From securing their first client and hiring their first employee to celebrating their first promotion and major contract, each milestone represented another step toward building a reputation in West Virginia.

Continuous Improvement Drives the Team

For the Signal of West Virginia team, showing up at their best starts with a mindset of continuous improvement.

“We never want to become complacent or assume we know everything,” they explain. “Every conversation with a client, every interaction with an employee, every success, failure, and every challenge give us an opportunity to learn, improve, and become better than we were yesterday.”

That mindset extends beyond individual performance. Barb and Greg see clear communication as one of their most important responsibilities as leaders.

By staying connected with clients, supporting their team, and being proactive instead of reactive, they work to build trust and strengthen relationships.

For them, long-term growth isn’t something to chase. It’s something to earn through consistent effort, strong relationships, and exceptional service.

Redefining Professional Security

As Signal of West Virginia continues to grow, Barb and Greg want the community to see private security as more than simply placing officers at a post.

Their goal is to build long-term partnerships, invest in the communities they serve, and create a career culture where employees are empowered to make a positive difference.

“We’re here for the long-term, and we genuinely care about making West Virginia a safer place to live, work, and do business.”

That commitment is supported by the combination of Signal’s global resources and local, owner-led leadership.

The team benefits from Signal’s technology, innovation, experienced leadership, and proven operating model while maintaining a local presence built around responsiveness, accountability, and lasting relationships.

For Signal of West Virginia, that means officers aren’t simply providing security. They’re becoming an extension of their clients’ teams—protecting people, safeguarding property, assisting employees and visitors, and representing both the client and Signal with professionalism.

The goal is to become a trusted partner that helps reduce risk, strengthen operations, and provide lasting peace of mind.

Developing People and Leaders

For Barb and Greg, one of the most rewarding parts of ownership is watching people grow.

Whether it’s mentoring an officer into a leadership role, helping an employee build a long-term career, or developing a client relationship into a trusted partnership, those moments represent the impact they hope to create.

They also recognize that growth doesn’t happen in isolation.

The Signal network has provided opportunities to learn from experienced security leaders, including Paul Alekna and the team at Signal of Canton-Youngstown. Their mentorship and willingness to share experiences have played an important role in the growth of Signal of West Virginia.

That collaboration reflects another strength of the Signal network: franchises supporting one another and sharing knowledge to help each other succeed.

Building What Comes Next

For Barb and Greg, the most exciting part of the journey is knowing they’re still building.

“Every new team member we develop, every client relationship we earn, and every opportunity to strengthen our team is another chance to make a lasting impact.”

Their focus remains straightforward: invest in their people, serve clients with excellence, and build an organization that employees, clients, and the community can be proud of.

Being named Franchise of the Month for May 2026 is an important milestone, but the recognition is viewed as motivation rather than a finish line.

Barb and Greg credit their entire team for the franchise’s success and remain focused on creating a career culture where great people can grow, delivering exceptional service, and making a lasting impact throughout West Virginia.

Congratulations to Barb Alekna, Greg Pencosky, and the entire Signal of West Virginia team on being named May Franchise of the Month in 2026. Their commitment to developing people, serving their communities, and growing with purpose is a powerful example of what’s possible across the Signal network.

 

More Articles