07Questions
What You're Probably Wondering
The questions every condo board and property manager asks before the first conversation.
What is concierge security, and how is it different from a traditional security guard?
Concierge security combines access control, incident response, and resident hospitality into a single role. Unlike a traditional guard whose primary function is patrol and deterrence, a Chromium officer manages the front desk, processes guests and deliveries, maintains visitor logs, and serves as the first human touchpoint for every resident — while holding the same security certifications and field training.
How much does concierge security cost for a Toronto condominium?
Pricing depends on shift coverage, officer count, and your building's specific requirements. Chromium Guard provides a fully scoped proposal after a confidential property assessment — typically completed within 48 hours. We serve properties across the Greater Toronto Area; contact us to receive a scope-specific quote with no obligation.
Which areas of the GTA does Chromium Guard serve?
Chromium Guard serves properties in Toronto, Mississauga, Etobicoke, Oakville, Brampton, Hamilton, and the surrounding Greater Toronto Area. As a boutique firm with a select portfolio, every building we take on receives direct management attention — not a regional dispatch centre or rotating supervisor.
What should a condo board look for when evaluating a security company?
Three criteria matter above all others: licensing (every officer must hold a valid Ontario Security Guard Licence under the PSISA 2005), reporting quality (request a sample incident report and monthly summary before signing anything), and cultural fit — your security firm's conduct at the front desk is a direct reflection of your building's brand. A company that treats security as hospitality will perform measurably differently.
Is Chromium Guard licensed and insured to operate in Ontario?
Yes. All Chromium Guard security officers hold valid Ontario Security Guard Licences issued under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005. The company carries full general liability insurance and WSIB coverage. Licensing documentation is available to prospective clients on request during the assessment process.
How do I start the process of bringing Chromium Guard into my building?
The first step is a confidential property assessment — a no-obligation conversation about your building's security needs, current gaps, and operational goals. Request one via our online form, by phone at (437) 734-2345, or by email. We typically respond within one business day.
Does Ontario law require condominium buildings to have security guards?
No. The Ontario Condominium Act does not mandate security staffing — it is a board decision based on risk assessment, insurance considerations, and resident expectations. What the law does require is that any guard on site, in-house or contracted, hold a valid Ontario Security Guard Licence under the PSISA, 2005. A board weighing whether security is worth the line item should look at incident history, building size, and access-control gaps rather than treat it as a compliance checkbox.
Should our board hire in-house security staff or contract with a firm like Chromium Guard?
Contracting shifts the licensing, WSIB registration, recruiting, and shift-coverage burden onto the vendor — the corporation is not the direct employer and carries less liability exposure. In-house hiring gives more direct control over who staffs the desk, but the board becomes responsible for backup coverage when someone is sick or quits, and for the insurance and employment obligations that come with it. Most GTA condo corporations contract for this reason; the tradeoff is worth naming explicitly at the board table rather than assuming.
Who is liable if a security guard makes a mistake or causes an injury?
This should be settled in the service agreement before a contract is signed, not after an incident. Ask any vendor for proof of general liability insurance and confirm the condominium corporation is named as an additional insured on that policy — a reasonable ask of any licensed firm. Chromium Guard carries full general liability insurance and WSIB coverage; documentation is provided to prospective clients during the assessment process.
What should be in a condo security service agreement before the board signs it?
At minimum: proof of PSISA licensing for every officer assigned to the building, an insurance certificate naming the corporation as additional insured, a defined reporting format and frequency (board-ready, not internal logs), a stated shift-coverage and backup plan, a clear termination clause, and an incident-escalation procedure — who gets called, and how fast, after hours. A board that asks for these five things before signing will catch most of the problems that surface later.
How does concierge security help prevent package theft and unauthorized entry?
A staffed front desk is what actually interrupts tailgating and parcel theft — a camera records the incident after the fact, but a concierge officer signing for deliveries, logging visitor entry, and holding the door-access line is what prevents it from happening. That is the practical difference between concierge security and a patrol-only guard: a continuous human checkpoint at the building's single point of entry, not a periodic walk-through.
