How Much Does a Security Guard Cost in London?

“How much does a security guard cost?” is usually the first question a business asks, and the honest answer is that it depends on your site. Two quotes for “one guard” can differ a lot because they describe very different jobs. This guide explains what actually drives the price of security guarding in London, so you can compare quotations fairly and ask the right questions.

The main factors

• Hours and shift pattern: the total number of hours each week is the biggest single factor. A daytime reception shift on weekdays costs less in total than round-the-clock cover, and very short shifts can cost more per hour because of travel and minimum shift lengths.
• Nights, weekends and bank holidays: unsocial hours usually carry a higher rate, and bank holidays and the Christmas period often more again. Ask each provider how they price these, so there are no surprises on the invoice.
• The licence the role needs: every officer carrying out licensable work needs the right Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence. A Door Supervisor licence, needed for example for door work at licensed premises and many events, usually costs more than a Security Guard licence role.
• The duties and the site: a quiet office reception, a busy retail store and an active construction site are different jobs. Patrols, access control, visitor management, CCTV checks or lone working at night all affect who you need and how they are briefed.
• Number of officers: some sites need two officers at once, for safety on a large or isolated site or for a busy event entrance. One officer is not always the cheapest safe option.
• Contract length and notice: a longer, planned contract is usually priced differently from a one-off shift or very short notice, because staffing and induction take time.
• Equipment and travel: mobile patrols involve vehicle and travel costs, and some sites need radios, body-worn cameras, torches or PPE.

What should be included in the price

A professional quotation should cover more than the officer’s hourly pay. Behind every rate are costs the provider must meet by law and to run the service properly:

• The officer’s pay, including holiday pay, employer National Insurance and pension contributions.
• Training, licence checks and right-to-work checks.
• Supervision and management, including someone to contact outside office hours.
• Uniforms and basic equipment.
• Written site instructions and incident reporting.

Ask whether the rate includes all of this, and whether VAT is added on top.

Why the cheapest quote isn’t always the best value

A rate that looks much lower than others may mean something has been left out: supervision, holiday pay, relief cover when an officer is ill, or even the legal minimum wage. It’s reasonable to ask a provider how their rate is made up and how they cover absence. A slightly higher, transparent price from a provider who plans the assignment properly is usually better value than a low headline rate.

How to get an accurate quote

The more a provider knows about your site, the more accurate the price. Have ready the site address and type of premises, the days and hours you need, the duties, any risks or recent incidents, and when you’d like the service to start. Our guide “What Information Is Needed for an Accurate Security Quotation?” lists everything in detail.

A good provider will review your requirement, ideally visit the site, and confirm the scope, hours, duties and price in writing before anything starts.

Planning security in London?

Bordon Security plans every assignment around the site, its risks and how it operates, with written instructions and one named management contact. If you’re planning security for an office, retail premises, a residential development, a construction site or an event in London, tell us about your requirement through our Request a Quote form and we’ll come back with a written proposal.