How Much Do Security Companies Charge Per Hour UK — 2026 Rates
Security companies in the UK charge £14 to £22 per hour for standard SIA-licensed manned guarding. Night shifts cost more — typically £16 to £25 per hour. Mobile patrols cost £80 to £200 per month. Key holding starts from £30 per month. Prices vary by location, service type, contract length and risk level. Pearl Security provides transparent, fixed pricing across Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Leeds — call +44 (0) 7481 153593 for a free quote with no hidden costs.
Pearl Security operates in full compliance with the Private Security Industry Act 2001. All security officers hold current, valid SIA licences verified before each assignment. All personnel vetted to BS 7858:2019 standard. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract. SIA Licence: 1019 1821 7604 5373. Company No: 16175087 (Ya-Fatahoo Solutions Limited). Registered: 249 Barnsley Road, Sheffield, S4 7AD.
You want to hire a security company. You ask for a quote. The price comes back and you have no idea if it is reasonable, inflated or dangerously cheap. This is one of the most common frustrations for UK businesses searching for professional security — there is almost no transparent public pricing in the industry.
This guide fixes that. Pearl Security — a Sheffield-based, SIA-licensed security company serving South Yorkshire — publishes real 2026 pricing for every type of security service, explains every factor that affects what you pay, and tells you exactly what separates a professional quote from a cheap one that will cost you far more later.
How Much Do Security Companies Charge Per Hour UK — 2026 Rates
Here are real, current market rates for professional security services across the UK in 2026. These are not promotional figures — they reflect what SIA-licensed security companies actually charge across the Midlands, Yorkshire and the North of England:
| Service Type | Typical Hourly / Monthly Rate (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Manned Guarding — day rate | £14 — £18 per hour | Standard SIA-licensed static officer |
| Manned Guarding — night rate | £16 — £22 per hour | Overnight cover, higher risk premium |
| Manned Guarding — weekend / bank holiday | £18 — £25 per hour | Uplift applies on non-standard hours |
| Mobile Security Patrols | £80 — £200 per month | Randomised visits, reports included |
| Key Holding & Alarm Response | £30 — £80 per month | Plus call-out fee per activation |
| Construction Site Security | £15 — £22 per hour | Specialist deployment, higher risk sites |
| Retail Security Officer | £14 — £18 per hour | Loss prevention, access control trained |
| Event Security | £18 — £28 per hour | Crowd management, SIA door supervisor licence |
| 24/7 Security Cover (full month) | £4,000 — £10,000+ per month | Multiple officers, continuous cover |
South Yorkshire vs London: Security costs in Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster are 20–35% lower than equivalent London rates — reflecting lower operational overheads and regional wage levels. A security guard costing £22 per hour in London typically costs £15–£17 per hour across South Yorkshire. See our detailed Sheffield security cost guide.
Why Security Company Pricing Varies So Much
Two quotes for the same service can differ by 40% or more. Here is exactly why — and what each factor means for the price you are offered:
SIA Licensing — The Non-Negotiable Cost
Every security operative working commercially in the UK must hold a valid SIA licence under the Private Security Industry Act 2001. SIA licensing costs money — training, testing, application fees and renewal every three years. Companies that quote significantly below market rate are often cutting corners on licensing, vetting or insurance. A legitimate security company cannot realistically deliver professional, SIA-licensed services at £10 per hour and remain sustainable. If a quote looks too cheap, it almost certainly is.
BS 7858:2019 Vetting
Professional security companies vet all staff to BS 7858:2019 — the British Standard for pre-employment screening. This includes 5-year employment history verification, identity checks, DBS criminal record checks and credit checks. Vetting takes time and costs money — it is built into the hourly rate of any reputable security company. Companies skipping this step can quote lower, but they are deploying unvetted staff into your premises.
Shift Pattern and Hours
Day shifts on standard weekday hours are the cheapest. Night shifts, weekend cover and bank holiday deployments attract uplifts — typically 15–30% above standard day rates. This is driven by the Working Time Regulations 1998 and the genuine difficulty of staffing unsocial hours with qualified, reliable operatives. Always check whether the quoted rate covers all your required shift patterns.
Contract Length
A rolling monthly contract costs more per hour than a six or twelve-month agreement. Longer contracts allow security companies to plan staffing more efficiently and offer better rates. That said, never sign a long-term contract with a new provider — start with a shorter term to assess quality before committing.
Location and Site Complexity
A single-entrance retail unit in a town centre is simpler — and cheaper — to guard than a multi-site industrial complex with multiple access points, CCTV integration and specialist access control requirements. Site complexity directly affects how many officers are required and what their specific skill set needs to be.
Risk Level
High-risk environments — construction sites with high-value plant, logistics facilities with high-value freight, pharmaceutical storage — command higher rates because the deployment requires more experienced operatives with specialist knowledge. Standard commercial premises attract standard rates.
Security Services Price List — What You Pay For Each Service
Manned Guarding Costs — £14 to £22 per Hour
Manned guarding is the most widely used security service across the UK — a uniformed, SIA-licensed officer physically present at your premises. The hourly rate reflects the officer’s SIA licence, BS 7858 vetting, training, uniform, insurance and the security company’s management and overhead costs. Read our full guide: What is Manned Guarding?
Mobile Patrol Costs — £80 to £200 per Month
Mobile security patrols are the most cost-effective security solution for most UK businesses — a patrol officer visits your site multiple times per shift across a randomised schedule. One officer covers multiple sites per shift, which is why the monthly cost is significantly lower than static guarding. Most businesses pay £80 to £150 per month for a standard two-to-four visits per night patrol contract across South Yorkshire.
Key Holding & Alarm Response — £30 to £80 per Month
Key holding and alarm response is the lowest-cost professional security service available — from £30 per month for basic key storage and response. Most contracts also include a per-callout fee of £25 to £60 when an alarm is activated. For most small businesses across Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster, key holding combined with mobile patrols provides comprehensive out-of-hours protection for £110 to £200 per month total.
Construction Site Security — £15 to £22 per Hour
Construction site security rates reflect the higher risk and more demanding physical environment. Officers deployed on construction sites across South Yorkshire require specific awareness of health and safety legislation under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
⚠️ Hidden Costs to Watch For: Some security companies quote a low headline hourly rate but charge separately for: management fees, vehicle costs, uniform provision, report writing, holiday cover uplift, bank holiday premiums and VAT. Always ask for a fully inclusive written quote before signing. Pearl Security provides all-inclusive written quotes with zero hidden charges.
Security Services Price List — What Drives Costs Up or Down
Understanding the levers that move security pricing gives you real negotiating power:
| Factor | Effect on Price |
|---|---|
| Night shift cover (7pm–7am) | +15% to +30% above day rate |
| Weekend cover | +15% to +25% above weekday rate |
| Bank holiday cover | +25% to +50% above standard rate |
| Short-term contract (1 month) | +10% to +20% above long-term rate |
| High-risk site (construction, logistics) | +10% to +25% above standard rate |
| Multiple sites on one contract | -5% to -15% discount typically available |
| 12-month contract commitment | -10% to -20% below monthly rate |
| London location | +20% to +40% above regional rates |
How to Assess a Security Company Quote — Red Flags and Green Flags
Getting a quote is easy. Knowing whether it is legitimate is harder. Here is what to look for:
Green Flags — Signs of a Professional Quote
- SIA Licence number provided — verifiable at sia.homeoffice.gov.uk
- BS 7858 vetting confirmed in writing for all deployed operatives
- Public liability insurance certificate available on request
- Written quote with all costs itemised — no mention of additional fees
- VAT registration number shown (Company registered for VAT)
- Companies House registration number provided
- Free site assessment offered before quoting
- Clear contract with defined notice period
Red Flags — Walk Away Immediately
- Rate significantly below £14 per hour for manned guarding — not sustainable at professional standards
- No SIA licence number provided or officer licensing cannot be verified
- No mention of BS 7858 vetting
- Cash-only payment requested
- No written contract offered
- No public liability insurance certificate available
- Pressure to sign immediately without a trial period
For a full checklist see our guide: How to Choose a Security Company.
Security Company Charges Per Hour — South Yorkshire vs UK Average
Pearl Security operates across Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster, Leeds and Nottingham. Below is how South Yorkshire security pricing compares to UK averages:
| Service | South Yorkshire Rate | UK Average | London Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manned Guarding (day) | £14 — £18/hr | £15 — £20/hr | £18 — £25/hr |
| Manned Guarding (night) | £16 — £22/hr | £17 — £24/hr | £20 — £30/hr |
| Mobile Patrols | £80 — £200/month | £100 — £250/month | £300 — £900/month |
| Key Holding | £30 — £80/month | £35 — £90/month | £50 — £120/month |
| Construction Security | £15 — £22/hr | £16 — £24/hr | £22 — £35/hr |
✅ Pearl Security Pricing: Pearl Security provides transparent, all-inclusive security pricing across Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Leeds — no hidden charges, no vague estimates. Manned guarding from £14/hour. Mobile patrols from £80/month. Key holding from £30/month. Call +44 (0) 7481 153593 for a written quote within 2 hours.
Get a Transparent Security Quote Today
Pearl Security provides fully itemised, no-obligation security quotes across Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster, Leeds and Nottingham — all costs shown upfront, no surprises.
FAQs — Security Company Charges UK
How much do security companies charge per hour in the UK?
UK security companies charge £14 to £22 per hour for standard SIA-licensed manned guarding during day shifts. Night shifts typically cost £16 to £25 per hour. Weekend and bank holiday rates attract further uplifts. London rates are 20–40% higher than regional rates across South Yorkshire and the Midlands. See our full guide: Security Guard Costs UK 2026.
What is a fair hourly rate for a security guard in the UK?
A fair, sustainable hourly rate for an SIA-licensed, BS 7858 vetted security guard in the UK outside London is £14 to £18 per hour for day shifts. Quotes significantly below £14 per hour should be treated with caution — at that rate, the company cannot sustainably cover SIA licensing, BS 7858 vetting, insurance and management costs while paying the operative a fair wage under the National Minimum Wage Act 1998.
How much does 24-hour security cost in the UK?
Full 24-hour security cover in the UK typically costs £4,000 to £10,000+ per month depending on the number of officers required, shift patterns and site complexity. For most businesses, a combination of mobile patrols and key holding provides cost-effective out-of-hours protection from £110 to £200 per month — without the expense of permanent static guarding.
What is included in a security company’s hourly rate?
A professional security company’s hourly rate covers: the operative’s wage, SIA licence costs, BS 7858 vetting, uniform and equipment, public liability and employer’s liability insurance, management and supervision, holiday cover, shift coordination and profit margin. Any quote that cannot account for all of these within its hourly rate is either cutting corners or concealing additional charges.
Do security companies charge VAT in the UK?
Yes — VAT-registered security companies charge 20% VAT on top of their quoted rates. Always confirm whether a quoted rate is inclusive or exclusive of VAT. Pearl Security is VAT registered: VAT No. 486839425. All Pearl Security quotes clearly state whether VAT is included.
How much do security companies charge for mobile patrols?
Mobile security patrol costs in the UK typically range from £80 to £200 per month outside London for regular nightly visits. Individual patrol visits cost £25 to £60. Pearl Security provides mobile patrol services across Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster from £80 per month — written reports and photographic evidence included as standard.
