Pest control vs. home security: choosing a summer sales program
Short answer: Pest control and home security are the two classic summer sales programs. Pest control is the smaller, easier yes: a recurring service most homeowners can agree to at the door, so reps make more sales of lower value each. Home security is the bigger commitment: a multi-year monitoring agreement with a credit check and a same-day install, so reps make fewer sales that are each worth more. First-year reps most often start in pest control.
| Pest control sales | Home security sales | |
|---|---|---|
| What you sell | A recurring pest service agreement | A monitored alarm and smart-home system on a multi-year agreement |
| What the customer commits to | A service plan, commonly for a year | A longer monitoring agreement, usually with a credit check |
| After the sale | A technician does the first service within a day or two | A technician installs and activates the system, often the same day |
| Sales per rep | More sales, each worth less | Fewer sales, each worth more |
| How pay is built | Commission per account, often scaled by contract value, plus a back end | Commission per activated account, tied to the monthly rate and equipment, plus a back end |
| Main risk to your pay | Cancellations before the first service or during the year | Customers who fail credit, cancel before install, or stop paying early |
| Licensing | Some states register or issue ID cards to salespeople; the company handles it | Some states, California among them, register alarm salespeople individually, with a background check |
| Season | About May through August | About May through August, with year-round teams in warm markets |
| Housing | Usually provided by the program; confirm the terms | Usually provided by the program; confirm the terms |
Choose pest control sales if
- This is your first summer and you want an early first sale
- You prefer a quick, friendly pitch and high volume
- You want the shortest path from training to selling
Choose home security sales if
- You have sold before, or you learn a product demo quickly
- You would rather make fewer, larger sales
- You can pass a background check where a state registration requires one
- You want a faster route to managing a team
Moving between the two
A common path is a first summer in pest control, then security or solar the next year for a larger sale. The daily routine is nearly the same in both: team meeting, knock until dark, track the numbers.
Before you choose, compare the two offers on the same questions: what is paid during the summer, what is held for the back end, what reduces it, and what housing costs you.
Apply for both on one application Pick every industry you would consider. Free for reps.
Questions
Is pest control or home security better for a first summer?
Pest control, for most people. The pitch is shorter, more homeowners qualify, and the first sale usually comes sooner. Reps who already have sales experience sometimes start in security for the larger sale.
Do both summer programs include housing?
Most do, but the terms differ: some provide it free, some deduct it from commission, some require a minimum number of sales. Get the housing terms in writing before you travel.
Which needs a background check, pest control sales or home security sales?
In some states, yes. California, for example, registers alarm agents who sell at the home and requires a background check. The company files the application during onboarding. Pest control sales has fewer individual licensing requirements, but city solicitor permits can also involve a background check.
Read next
- Door-to-door pest control sales jobs and the pest control sales FAQ
- Door-to-door home security sales jobs and the home security sales FAQ
- What Is a Summer Sales Program?
- How to Vet a Door-to-Door Sales Company
- How Door-to-Door Sales Pay Works
Terms used on this page
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