How Much Does Security Guard Cost in the UK?
“How much does a security guard cost?” is the most common question a security company hears, and it’s also the hardest to answer in one line. A guard on a quiet office reception costs far less than a team protecting a construction site overnight.
This guide explains how security guard hire is priced, what changes the rate, and what to look for in a quote, so you can compare security companies fairly rather than just picking the cheapest.
What Security Guard Hire Means
Security guard hire means a security company supplies SIA-licensed officers to protect your premises, people or property. This is often called manned guarding or static guarding.
A hired guard might:
Control access: checking visitors, contractors and deliveries
Patrol the site: walking the buildings and grounds at set times
Deter crime: simply being visible stops a lot of opportunist theft
Respond to incidents: dealing with alarms, trespassers and emergencies
Report: keeping a log and providing shift or incident reports
Many sites also use mobile patrols, K9 security dogs and CCTV alongside guards, depending on the risk.
A Rough Guide to UK Rates
Prices depend on the site, the hours and the contract, so treat this as a general guide and not a quote. Static guard contracts in the UK commonly sit in the region of £18 to £25 per hour. Nights, weekends, bank holidays, higher-risk sites and specialist roles cost more.
That figure is higher than a guard’s pay, and it should be. The hourly rate you pay a security company covers much more than the wage on the payslip.
Why the Hourly Rate Is Higher Than the Wage
The National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 an hour from April 2026, and security officers usually earn somewhat above that. The rest of the charge rate pays for things you’d otherwise have to arrange yourself:
Employer costs: National Insurance, pension contributions, holiday pay and sick pay
Licensing and training: SIA licences, refresher training and site-specific briefings
Uniform and equipment: radios, torches, patrol tools and reporting systems
Insurance: public liability and employer’s liability cover
Supervision and management: site checks, a control room or phone line and managers who deal with problems
Cover for absence: a replacement when someone is ill or late
The company’s margin: what keeps a reliable security company in business
When a quote is barely above minimum wage, something on this list is usually being skipped.
What Affects the Cost of Security Guards
Two sites with one guard each can have very different prices. The main factors are:
Hours of cover: a night shift costs less in total than 24-hour cover, but nights carry a higher hourly rate than daytime
Number of guards: larger sites or higher-risk events need more people
Type of role: a patrol guard, a reception officer and a door supervisor are priced differently
Site risk: a building site full of plant and fuel is a different risk from a small office
Location: London and some city areas cost more than most regions
Contract length: longer commitments can lower the rate, while short-notice or one-off cover often costs more
Bank holidays and weekends: these are usually charged at higher rates
Extras: vehicles, K9 teams, CCTV towers or alarm response add to the cost
Guards, Dogs or Cameras: Which Costs Less?
The cheapest option is the one that actually solves your problem. Sometimes a mix is more cost-effective than a guard alone.
A guard on site: the best answer where there’s constant activity, such as access control and visitor checks
A K9 security dog and handler: a strong deterrent for large, open sites like a construction site or yard, and often better value than several guards walking the same area
CCTV with monitoring: covers a wide area without a person on every corner
Mobile patrols: cheaper than a full-time guard if you don’t need someone on site continuously
A good security company will recommend a combination after seeing the site, rather than a standard package.
Why the Cheapest Quote Can Cost You More
A low price can look appealing, but it can be expensive in practice. Watch for:
Unlicensed or unvetted officers: a legal risk for you as well as the security provider
No cover for absence: the guard doesn’t arrive and nobody replaces them
High turnover: new faces every week who don’t know your site
Poor supervision: nobody checking that officers are where they should be
Hidden extras: call-out fees, minimum shift charges or add-ons not shown in the quote
Missing insurance: leaving you exposed if something goes wrong
Ask what’s included before comparing the numbers.
What a Good Quote Should Include
When you compare security companies, make sure each quote covers:
Hours and days: exactly when cover is provided
Number and type of officers: and whether they’re guards, door supervisors or a K9 team
The hourly or shift rate: with bank holiday and weekend rates shown
Minimum shift or contract length: and any notice period
What’s included: uniform, supervision, reporting and cover for absence
Licences and insurance: SIA licences, ISO certification and insurance details
Extras and exclusions: so there are no surprises
Give each company the same site details, so you’re comparing like for like.
How to Hire a Security Guard
Decide what you need protected: people, stock, equipment, a building or an event
Note when the risk is highest: nights, weekends or the working day
Book a site visit: a proper provider will want to see the site first
Compare quotes properly: on hours, supervision and what’s included, not just price
Check licences and insurance: ask for evidence
Agree reporting and contact: how you’ll hear about incidents and who to call
Review after a few weeks: adjust hours or cover if the risks change
Questions to Ask a Security Company
Are all officers SIA-licensed? Ask how they check this
Who supervises the guards? And how often are checks made
What happens if a guard is ill or doesn’t turn up? There should be a clear backup plan
Do you have experience of sites like mine? A building site, a warehouse and an office are all different
Can you scale cover up or down? Your needs may change
What reports will I get? Shift logs and incident reports
How quickly can you start? Especially if you need cover at short notice
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a security guard cost per hour in the UK?
Static guards commonly cost in the region of £18 to £25 per hour, depending on the site, hours and contract. Nights, bank holidays and higher-risk sites cost more. A quote based on your site is the only reliable figure.
Why is the cost of hiring a guard higher than their wage?
The rate covers employer costs, licensing, training, insurance, supervision, cover for absence and the company’s margin, not just the officer’s pay.
Is it cheaper to hire a guard directly?
Not necessarily. Employing a guard yourself means paying for recruitment, training, holiday and sickness cover, supervision and insurance, and finding a replacement when they’re off.
Can one guard cover 24 hours?
No. Round-the-clock cover needs several officers working shifts, which is why 24-hour guarding costs considerably more than a night shift.
Do I need a guard or a security dog?
It depends on the site. Guards suit places with constant activity, while a K9 security dog and handler suit large or open areas, particularly at night. Many sites use both.
Can you provide guards at short notice?
It depends on availability and the type of cover. Contact us with your site details and we’ll confirm what we can arrange.
Are security guards required to be SIA-licensed?
Yes, anyone carrying out licensable guarding work in the UK must hold a valid SIA licence. Ask any security company to confirm this for the officers on your site.
Security Guard Hire With Pride K9
Pride K9 is a security company based in Walsall, providing SIA-licensed security guards, K9 security dog handlers, detection dogs, mobile patrols and CCTV to businesses across the UK. We have around 30 years of experience and ISO-certified management systems, and every site is assessed individually, so the cover matches the risk and your budget.
To talk through security guard hire for your building site, warehouse, empty property or event, get in touch with the team today for a tailored quote.