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.
What Do We Cover In This Article?
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?
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.
Pro Tip : Always check if VAT and holiday pay are included in quoted security rates to avoid hidden charges later.
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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.
Pro Tip : Always ask for real incident reports when vetting a security vendor. They reveal how teams actually perform under pressure.
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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.
