Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Security Door Installer

Your front door is the most common entry point for a break-in. It sounds obvious when you say it out loud, yet many Australian homeowners invest in quality security doors and screens, only to have them installed by someone who cuts corners, lacks proper licensing, or simply doesn’t know what they’re doing.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the proportion of households that experienced a break-in rose from 1.8% in 2022–23 to 2.1% in 2023–24, an extra 32,000 households, bringing the total to 218,000. Of those, one in five were broken into more than once. A good security door, properly installed, is one of the most practical steps you can take. But the “properly installed” part depends entirely on who you hire.

Here are the questions worth asking before you let anyone near your door frame.

1. Are you licensed to install security doors in this state?

This is the first and most important question, and the answer should be immediate and specific.

Licensing requirements vary across Australia, but in most states, security door and screen installation is a regulated trade. In New South Wales, both the company and the individual installer need a security licence issued by NSW Police through its Security Licensing & Enforcement Directorate (SLED). In Western Australia, individual installers must hold a Class 3 Non-Agent Security Installer Licence from WA Police. In Queensland, installers need a QBCC Carpentry Contractor licence. In South Australia, a building licence is required along with a national police check.

Ask for the licence number, then verify it. Don’t take a business card or a website as proof. Each state’s licensing authority has an online register you can check.

If an installer is vague about their licence, can’t produce a number, or tells you it “doesn’t apply” to them, walk away.

2. Do your products and installation meet Australian Standards?

Three Australian Standards apply specifically to security screens and doors:

• AS5039 sets the design and manufacturing requirements for security screen doors and window grilles, focused on resistance to forced entry
• AS5040 defines the correct installation procedures so that screens are properly fitted and actually secure
• AS5041 outlines the methods used to test security screens and grilles

Ask the installer whether the products they use are tested and certified to AS5039, and whether their installation method follows AS5040. A reputable installer should be able to confirm this without hesitation.

One important thing to know: many diamond grille products sold in Australia are not security screens. They are barrier or safety screens, because they have not passed the required Australian Standards tests. Don’t assume that a door with a grille is a certified security door; ask for the paperwork.

3. Can you provide proof of insurance?

Any tradesperson coming to your home should carry public liability insurance. For security door installation, this matters for two reasons: it protects you if something goes wrong during the installation (a cracked frame, a damaged wall, an injury on your property), and it’s a signal that the installer is operating as a legitimate business.

Ask to see a current certificate of insurance, not just a verbal assurance. If they can’t provide one, they either don’t have it or it has lapsed; neither is a situation you want to find yourself in after signing a contract.

4. How long have you been doing this, and can I see examples of your work?

Experience matters in installation work. A door that sits slightly out of square, a lock that doesn’t align properly, or a frame that hasn’t been fitted to the correct clearances won’t give you the security you’re paying for.

Ask how many installations they’ve completed, how long they’ve been in business, and whether they can provide references from previous customers. Most established installers will have a portfolio of completed jobs or be able to point you to recent reviews. Online reviews are useful, but direct references from past customers, particularly in your area, are more reliable.

5. What brands and products do you install, and why?

A good installer will be able to explain clearly why they recommend specific products, not just because they get a margin on them, but because those products have been tested, meet the relevant standards, and suit your particular situation.

Ask whether the products come with any certification documentation. Ask whether they install products from multiple manufacturers, or whether they’re tied to one brand. Neither answer is automatically wrong, but it tells you how much flexibility they have and whether they’re putting your needs first.

Also worth asking: will the door suit your specific door frame? Not all security doors fit all openings without modification. A quality installer will measure your opening before quoting, not after.

6. What does the quote include, and what’s the warranty?

Get the quote in writing. It should clearly break down the cost of the product, the installation labour, any hardware such as locks or hinges, and any additional work such as frame modification.

Ask specifically about warranty, on both the product and the installation. A door manufacturer might offer a five or ten-year product warranty, but if the installation itself isn’t covered, you’re exposed if a fitting fails or a lock starts causing problems.

Ask who you call if something goes wrong after installation. Is it the installer, the manufacturer, or a third party? Knowing the answer before you sign is far better than finding out when you have a problem.

7. Will you provide a compliance certificate after installation?

In some states, a compliance certificate confirming that the installation meets the relevant Australian Standards can be issued after the work is complete. It’s worth asking whether your installer provides one, not only does it give you confidence in the work, but it can be useful documentation if you ever make an insurance claim following a break-in.

Speaking of insurance: Budget Direct’s 2024 Home Burglary Survey found that nearly 16% of respondents who experienced a break-in took out a new insurance policy afterwards. Being proactive about security, and being able to demonstrate it, is worth something when you talk to your insurer.

8. Are you a member of any industry association?

Membership of a recognised body, such as the National Security Screen Association (NSSA), is a positive sign. These organisations set standards for members, provide training resources, and offer consumers a point of contact if things go wrong.

It’s not a dealbreaker if an installer isn’t a member, but it adds a layer of accountability that’s worth knowing about.

A final note

Buying a security door is not a small decision. A well-made, properly installed security door gives you genuine protection. A poorly installed one, no matter how good the product, gives you the feeling of security without much of the substance.

The eight questions above take less than ten minutes to ask. The answers will tell you quickly whether the person you’re considering is worth trusting with the job.