Where this page fits
Use this checklist on everyone — including Innov8av
A vetting guide is only credible if the author passes it. Run every check below on us: ACO 7755 with BSIS, insured and bonded, itemized quotes, employee technicians, since 2016. Then run it on whoever else you're considering.
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Licensing
Step 1: Verify the two licenses that matter in California
1) BSIS Alarm Company Operator (ACO). Anyone selling, installing or monitoring alarm systems in California must hold an ACO license from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. Verify it at the BSIS license lookup (search.dca.ca.gov). Innov8av's is ACO 7755.
2) CSLB contractor license. Low-voltage wiring falls under CSLB classifications — commonly C-10 (Low Voltage Systems) or C-10 (Electrical). Verify status, bond and workers' comp at cslb.ca.gov. An 'installer' with neither license is operating outside California law on most security scopes.
Also confirmGeneral liability insurance (ask for the certificate, $1M+ typical) and active workers' comp — you carry the risk if an uninsured tech is hurt on your property.
Employee alarm agentsIndividual installers must be registered alarm agents under the ACO — ask.
PermitsMonitored alarms in the City of LA require an alarm permit; fire systems require plan check. A pro handles this, not you.
Quotes
Step 2: Demand quotes you can actually compare
A comparable quote itemizes equipment (brand and model numbers), labor, materials, programming, permits and monitoring separately. 'Package' pricing hides margins and makes competitor comparison impossible — that's usually the point. Insist on: exact camera models with resolution and lens specs, panel model, recorder capacity and retention days, warranty terms in writing (workmanship and equipment separately), and monitoring cost with the contract length stated plainly.
| Quote element | What good looks like | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | Brand + model + qty, line by line | '8-camera HD package' |
| Labor | Separate line, scope described | Folded into 'system price' |
| Monitoring | Monthly rate + term + cancellation terms | 'Free system' with long agreement |
| Warranty | Written workmanship + equipment terms | Verbal assurances |
| Ownership | You own hardware outright | Leased/proprietary equipment |
Signals
Step 3: Read the signals that predict the next five years
Review patterns, not scores. Read the 3-star reviews — they're the honest ones. Look for service-after-install complaints; installation day is easy, year three is the test. Who installs: employees or day-rate subcontractors? Who answers later: the installing company or an outsourced service line? Local footprint: a real LA address and technicians who work your area daily. Manufacturer certifications: Control4, Lutron, Qolsys dealer status means factory training and support escalation paths — check the manufacturers' own dealer locators.
Red flags
The five red flags that should end the conversation
1) No verifiable ACO or CSLB license — walk away. 2) 'Free system' offers hinging on 36–60 month monitoring agreements — you're financing it, with interest, invisibly. 3) Door-to-door urgency tactics ('this offer expires today'). 4) Refusal to itemize quotes. 5) No physical local presence — storm-chaser installers disappear when the warranty call comes. None of these are hypothetical; LA sees all five weekly.
The 60-second version: verify ACO + CSLB, demand itemized quotes, confirm insurance, read the 3-star reviews, and never sign day-one under pressure. Any legitimate company survives that filter easily.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What license should a security company have in California?
Two: an Alarm Company Operator (ACO) license from BSIS for alarm sales/installation/monitoring, and a CSLB contractor license (commonly C-7 low-voltage or C-10 Electrical) for wiring work. Verify both at search.dca.ca.gov and cslb.ca.gov. Innov8av holds ACO 7755 and is insured and bonded.
How do I verify a security company's license in Los Angeles?
Search the company name or license number at the California DCA lookup (search.dca.ca.gov) for the BSIS ACO license, and at cslb.ca.gov for the contractor license, bond and workers' comp status. Takes about two minutes and eliminates most bad actors instantly.
Should I get multiple quotes for a security system?
Yes — two or three, but insist all are itemized (equipment models, labor, monitoring separately). Package prices can't be compared meaningfully. Manufacturers like Control4 themselves recommend speaking with multiple integrators to find the right fit.
Are 'free security system' offers legitimate?
The equipment cost is folded into a 36–60 month monitoring agreement — you're financing it invisibly. Compare the total cost over the full term against buying equipment outright with month-to-month-style monitoring; the 'free' system usually costs more.
Is a local security company better than a national one?
Neither is automatically better. National brands offer standardization; licensed local integrators offer custom design, owned equipment and direct technician accountability. Our ADT vs local comparison covers the decision honestly — the checklist on this page works on both.
What insurance should a security installer carry?
General liability (commonly $1M+) and active workers' compensation. Ask for certificates before work begins — if an uninsured installer is injured on your property, the liability exposure can land on you.
Next step
Want our answers to this checklist in writing?
Call and ask. Every item on this page — licenses, insurance certificates, references, warranty terms — is available before you sign anything.
Related: What to expect during installation