How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Security Guard In The UK?

How much does it cost to hire a security guard in the UK?

Hiring a security guard in the UK typically costs between £18 and £30 per hour. Day rates usually range from £250 to £550. Costs vary depending on the location, type of service, level of risk, required experience, and how quickly the service is needed. Whether you’re looking for a mobile patrol for a small business or close protection for a public figure, there are different pricing bands to consider.

Typically Expected Security Guard Costs in the UK

Here’s a clear picture of what you might expect to pay for professional guarding services this year. Prices are usually calculated either hourly or daily, depending on the type and length of the assignment. These figures reflect the UK’s standard security pricing structure based on service category and regional demand.

What are the average hourly and daily rates for hiring a security guard?

• Retail security: £18-£28+ per hour

• Corporate security: £18 to £25+ per hour

• Event security: £22 to £25+ per hour

• Construction site guard: £25+ per hour

• Mobile patrol visits: £35+ per visit

Typical day rates:

• General guarding: £250 to £400+ for 24hrs cover

• Specialist or high-risk sites: £400 to £850+ for 24hrs cover

Short-term jobs or one-day events often come with higher hourly rates to cover administration, security firm setup, and resource allocation.

How does the type of security service affect your cost?

Retail Security Services

Shops, supermarkets, and retail centres often use static guarding services to monitor stock levels, deter theft, and improve safety. These roles involve customer service, basic CCTV monitoring, and foot patrols. Rates for retail guarding remain competitive, averaging £15 to £18 an hour.

Event Security Staff

Event venues, festivals, and sports stadiums rely on SIA-licensed event guards to manage access control, respond to emergencies, and maintain crowd flow. These services are priced around £22 to £25 per hour. For security at festivals or high-traffic events, additional planning fees may apply.

For more details on hiring guards for public venues, visit our page on event security services.

Construction Site Security

Construction projects are common targets for tool theft and site damage. Most building sites require overnight manned guarding, often supported by mobile patrol units. The average cost is £30 per hour or £400 to £550 daily. This usually includes asset protection, perimeter checks, and trespasser reporting. For larger developments, remote CCTV towers may also be integrated.

Mobile Patrols

Mobile patrols are used by clients who need multiple scheduled visits to sites such as business parks, schools, or warehouses. Services include lockup checks, alarm resets, and keyholding. Each patrol visit typically costs £35. This approach is cost-effective where continuous guarding is not required.

How much more does security cost in London compared to other regions?

Security guard costs in London remain among the highest in the UK due to operational overheads, licensing premiums, and staff wages. Service delivery in central locations may also include additional fees for congestion charges or parking.

Average hourly rates by location

• London: £22-£25 per hour

• Midlands: £20-£22 per hour

• Scotland: £18 to £20 per hour

• North West: £18 to £20 per hour

• Rural areas: £18 to £21 per hour

Rates in London security contracts often reflect both commercial property demand and industry wage expectations, whereas costs in the Midlands and Scotland are more stable.

What factors influence a security guard quote?

• Time and shift pattern: Overnight or public holiday shifts often cost more

• Guard qualifications: Guards with fire safety, first aid, or advanced conflict management may demand higher pay

• Level of site risk: Sites with hazardous access or public exposure usually require experienced officers

• Length of contract: Weekly and monthly guarding contracts may come at a discounted rate

• Insurance needs: High-liability environments require enhanced insurance and affect pricing

For example, static guards working night shifts on a construction site might attract a 20 to 30 percent premium compared to daytime cover.

What do bodyguards and specialist security services cost in the UK?

Premium guarding solutions such as VIP bodyguard services and canine units cost significantly more due to specialised training and equipment.

Close Protection and VIP Security

Close protection officers, often ex-military or ex-police professionals, are trained in surveillance detection, hostile environment awareness, and tactical driving. These guards work with high-profile clients or in locations where security intelligence is essential:

• Per hour: £40 to £80

• Per day: £500 to £1,000

Specialist protection services often involve advance route mapping, background checks, and on-the-ground contingency planning.

Dog Handlers and Canine Security Units

Canine patrol services add deterrent value through trained scent detection and handler presence. These units are ideal for vacant construction plots, warehouses, and large public events:

• Hourly rate with handler: £30 to £40

• Daily rate: £400 to £600

All dog units must be fully insured and follow strict licensing and animal welfare guidelines set by industry regulators.

How can you compare security quotes and choose a reliable company?

Selecting a trustworthy security firm means balancing cost with quality and legal compliance. Comparing quotes involves more than just looking at the hourly rate.

What to look for in a professional security firm

• Confirm each operative holds a valid SIA licence

• Check employer and public liability insurance certificates

• Look for approved contractor scheme (ACS) status or IPSA membership

• Request a complete rate breakdown, including VAT, equipment, and overtime

Warning signs of a low-quality quote

• Below market pricing without justification

• No mention of uniformed guards, training, or licences

• Vague proposals with unclear service terms

• Inconsistent communication or lack of written confirmation

Always ask for references, testimonials, and clarity on how the company vets and trains its security personnel.

What are the extra costs you might not see upfront?

Some costs are not always detailed in the initial quote. These include fees related to employee entitlements and job-specific requirements.

Be aware of:

• VAT if excluded from advertised rates

• Holiday and sick leave cover for contracted guards

• Uniform and personal protective equipment (PPE) charges

• Insurance markups for guarding high-risk or remote sites

• Mileage and urban parking costs for mobile patrols or site access

A detailed service-level agreement (SLA) should make these items transparent before you sign any contract.

Real-World Examples: What clients actually paid for guards

These scenarios show real invoicing based on UK commercial guarding arrangements:

Retail Security Over a Weekend

• Coverage: 12 hours per day on a Saturday and Sunday

• Rate: £18 per hour

• Total cost: £432 plus VAT

Festival Security Team

• Coverage: 10 guards for 10 hours

• Rate: £25 per hour

• Total cost: £2,500

Construction Site at Night

• Coverage: 1 guard, 10 hours per night for 20 nights

• Rate: £30 per hour

• Monthly cost: £6,000

These illustrate how costs are affected by shift volume, site type, and duration.

What are the cost-effective alternatives to full-time guards?

If your site doesn’t need 24-hour coverage, consider technology-based or hybrid alternatives.

Mobile Patrol Services

Mobile security patrols carry out timed or ad-hoc visits to your premises. Each visit typically includes alarm checks, perimeter review, and access validation. At £35 per visit, these are ideal for properties that don’t require round-the-clock presence.

CCTV Surveillance Towers and Pods

These are often deployed for construction projects, retail forecourts, or vacant commercial buildings. Services provide cloud-connected towers with visual verification and remote speaker intervention.

Combining Guards with Technology

A hybrid security model uses reduced physical presence supported by technology such as motion-activated CCTV and access control systems. This approach suits logistics depots, schools, and commercial units where site traffic is low outside operating hours.

Why do you pay more than the security guard earns?

The gap between a guard’s pay and your invoice reflects more than just profit. Providers manage operational infrastructure that includes:

• Vetting and DBS checks

• Uniform supply and maintenance

• Scheduling and 24-hour client support

• Management and supervision

• Ongoing SIA compliance and re-training

• Holiday pay, national insurance and pension

This cost structure ensures service reliability, legal coverage, and responsive backup in emergencies.

Why are security prices likely to rise in the coming years?

Several developments are expected to influence UK guarding costs in the coming years:

• Increase in national minimum wage for frontline staff

• Upcoming SIA licence renewal cycles

• Recruitment challenges linked to sector turnover and vetting requirements

• Higher client demand across healthcare, public venues, and construction

• Staff walkouts at public institutions pushing more work to private firms

Some firms anticipate around a 5 percent price increase across contracts year on year.

How can you budget smartly for your security needs?

Smart budgeting starts with a clear understanding of your actual risk and peak exposure hours.

Here are a few tested strategies:

• Consider longer-term guarding contracts to negotiate lower rates

• Use mobile patrols and remote monitoring where continuous cover isn’t necessary

• Schedule coverage during high-risk windows only

• Ask for itemised breakdowns to identify avoidable extras

You can also review your plan with a security consultant to align your costs with service effectiveness. Many clients find success by combining visible deterrents like CCTV with limited hours of on-site coverage.