Pros
This was the only review site that I could stay anonymous. I'm a contractor in Calgary and use them ( not by choice ) 40% of the time on new construction and renovation projects. Anything from a brand new high rise to a small convenience store. In the construction industry if a building has the Chubb Edwards fire alarm system. That is what MUST be used for any additional work on the building. Sometimes a new building will be specified by the engineer that Chubb is the only fire alarm company to go with on that project. On a project like thisl you have no choice but to use them. They basically set their prices from there on for the entire life of the building. Any additions, renovations etc... Now don't get me wrong, this is the same as all the other fire alarm companies ( Notifier, Simpex, Mircom etc.. ) They all do the same and I'm not too sure why such a monopoly exists, but it does. Basically, Chubb Edwards would set their price and you have no choice whatsoever but to go with it. For example they charge their Techs out right now for $200.00 per hour!! That is down right theft! You can easily hire a professional engineer for $150.00 per hour. Uhhhh.... something seem strange??
Cons
Now, the reasons not to use Chubb Edwards. I can promise you if you do read this and use them after this you will regret it. - Extremely poor management ( The guy that runs the Calgary office is a really nice guy and I do feel a little bad posting this review, but something has got to change. - Amount of time it takes for them to call you back or return an email is approximately 1 week. This is absolutely ridiculous. Especially because I am talking about emailing and calling everyday in between. This is honest to god a reality. When they do call you back they apologize and have some ridiculous excuse. Funny enough it's usually to do with some key employee that just quit or that they had to lay off. Before I found this site I found some reviews on how it was to be an employee and I have to say they were very good reviews. I was extremely surprised. Maybe that is the problem though. Maybe it is too good....Too easy going......Too much fun. I'm really not too sure, just really surprised. - The amount of turnover that happens at your office is three fold everyone else. Yes, this does say something. You know just as well as I do that you guys have been understaffed for who knows how long and that is one of the biggest problems in my opinion. I could go on and on but I don't want to waste too much of my Saturday on work related activities. I just had to get something out to the public on them. Do your research on these guys. Talk to a bunch of the contractors and get some feedback on these guys!! Do your research!! You will find out who to use and who not to very quickly. Owners, architects and engineers. If you only spec one fire alarm company on a job. You are NOT getting premium pricing!! You're getting SCREWED. Just the truth. I have to check some boxes on this in order to be submitted. I have never been or are current or employee so any of the ratings I have given are true I will just mark the average boxes. However my overall review of this company is extremely poor so I will mark the lowest level for all boxes.
