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CCTV,PSA,certification and the "rip-off" !?

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  • 25-05-2016 3:08pm
    #1
    rolion
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,362 ✭✭✭


    Hi,

    Tried applying for PSA licence for CCTV and alarms.
    Despite the process paper work getting harder,i do understand the logics behind it.

    Prices,are my issue...very hard and high entry barrier(s) for new players.
    PSA licence cost at minim €1,000 per two years.
    Certification body comes at another €2,000 per year
    Now,after that i need to get 4 systems installed in the first 6 monhs to get certified.

    Qs.
    -why so high charges ?
    -why and how i'm i going to get the minimum systems for first 6 months ?
    -how do you compete with cheaper installers that I guess,survives on the market ?
    -that explains the high prices charged by specialised compnaies doing CCTV?

    I mean,a CCTV system costs fom €1,000.How much is the instalaltion and how many you can do to cover the cost of licence (that goes higher with your higher turnover,like been penalised for doing good business) ?

    Thanks.


Comments

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    #2
    kub
    Registered Users Posts: 6,546 ✭✭✭kub


    I was one of the many installers who was delighted when The PSA were set up. Unfortunately now a few years down the road all i see them as is an arm of the revenue service. They make nice money for the Department of Justice and that is the reason for their existance.
    They pay lip service to the Intruder Alarm sector, granted they have prosecuted a few and i mean few, installers, but to my knowledge they have yet to have the courage to prosecute a householder.

    Overall i suppose our profession is like any other and costs are incurred in setting up. You have as you mentioned the PSA, an accreditation body , appropriate insurance, vehicles, tools etc.
    I would advise you to ring The PSA and have a chat with them about the right way of going about getting your licence. Mostly guys do nixers and when the day comes, stickers are put up on bell boxes etc.


  • Options
    #3
    columf
    Registered Users Posts: 70 ✭✭columf


    Yeah I was shocked to find the requirements for a PSA license. A mate of mine his company recently branched into the cctv sector and he is honestly wondering is it worth it with the paper work and all the hoops and the monetary side. I asked as I work in the IT sector and fairly routinely are asked about installing a cctv camera system.


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    #4
    judge30
    Registered Users Posts: 62 ✭✭judge30


    ITS not easy to setup I've just gone through the phases this past year and have done so with very little money to begin with,i have found the psa to be very helpful with starting up but i agree that it is abit steep to pay for licence ,certification ,public liability along with the stress of trying to make a weekly wage ,as for the installations just try get the 4 alarm jobs done with neighbours or family and explain the process your going through and if they want a cert you can issue them one in a month or too ,same for cctv and they don't need to be huge complicated systems as along as they meet the standard,Ive never been told i couldn't put my name on the external sounder as a temp licence holder so go for it(best for advertising early).Any other advice i would give is you'd need around 3-4 thousand starting off ,€1000 to psa then after your audit up to 6 months later €2000 to certification body (Shop around some cheaper than others) and €500 insurance (make sure you get the right one).I be happy to answer questions.


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    #5
    altor
    Registered Users Posts: 11,715 ✭✭✭✭altor


    columf wrote: »
    Yeah I was shocked to find the requirements for a PSA license. A mate of mine his company recently branched into the cctv sector and he is honestly wondering is it worth it with the paper work and all the hoops and the monetary side. I asked as I work in the IT sector and fairly routinely are asked about installing a cctv camera system.

    Branching into the CCTV area should not of added to the cost with regards his certification body as both are covered on the day of an audit.
    The PSA if you go over a threshold do want extra for the license but what they receive it for I dont know.
    Yes paper work does increase but that is the joys of working in our industry.

    www.altor.ie



  • Options
    #6
    columf
    Registered Users Posts: 70 ✭✭columf


    altor wrote: »
    Branching into the CCTV area should not of added to the cost with regards his certification body as both are covered on the day of an audit.
    The PSA if you go over a threshold do want extra for the license but what they receive it for I dont know.
    Yes paper work does increase but that is the joys of working in our industry.
    Sorry I should have clarified they are a ISP not a security company They are only after getting their license.


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