SERVICES

INVESTIGATION/SECURITY CONSULTANCY

As experts in both of the above fields we are often contacted by people requesting advice on how they should handle certain matters. Whilst we are grateful for and welcome those inquiries we are sometimes astounded at the response we receive when we advise that our 40 years of expertise across a very broad base of investigative/security skills and disciplines, comes at a cost. It seems that there is a perception that if you are in business and advertise on the internet then the services offered must then be free of charge.

Consultancy work forms a very large part of what investigation/security companies do for a living and whilst we appreciate that most people are in the business of saving money and wish to resolve their problems as cost effectively and painlessly as possible, we are not in the business of giving away vital, sage advice to benefit those parties, such information having been acquired by us over time through experience and investment in physical and intellectual resources, sometimes at considerable costs. When we give advice we also expose ourselves to risks if that advice does not turn out to be correct. Because we do give sage advice this has never happened to us and we certainly will act prudently to ensure it never does.

From time to time and at our choice we do for good and charitable reasons, provide free information to assist certain parties however just like lawyers and accountants we are selling a service and in the investigation and security industries much of that service is in the form of sound qualified advice. As Mark Twain once said, “Its better to know than to guess” I just wish I had the hindsight I now have, 40 years ago.

Statistics gathered by governments around the world estimate that for every dollar spent on due diligence, (what this really means is asking those who know before proceeding) four dollars are saved in the medium term. Most people are reactive going into damage control after a damaging and sometimes costly event, those that take a proactive approach are proven to have the most cost effective and least stressful experiences.

If you are a genuine customer wishing to receive some sage, qualified advice that in the short term has a strong chance of saving you heartache, money and grief in the long-term then please don’t hesitate to contact us for an investigation/security consultancy. All consultancies are provided by experienced, licensed and qualified professionals.

CHARGES

For consultancies we charge in 1 hour increments at the rate of $250.00 plus GST an hour with a minimum of one hour irrespective of the time (under one hour) actually taken to provide that consultancy. All advice will be provided in writing where requested along with the qualifications of the individual providing that consultancy. If the consultancy relates to a business then that billing ought to be considered tax deductable and a genuine expense of that business.

CREDIT

Should the consultancy provided be later adopted by the client and if Lyonswood is instructed to implement any or all of the recommendations of that consultancy then Lyonswood may at its discretion and if agreed by both parties at the time of the consultancy, credit the client the fees charged for the consultancy towards the final account for those services requested that have arisen from that consultancy.

W. M. Mallard
Managing Director
Lyonswood Investigations and Forensic Group.
Advanced Diploma Security (Risk Management)