Having a personal security guard for your home provides an extra layer of protection and peace of mind, but it does come at a price. The costs associated with hiring private security personnel can vary quite a bit based on factors like location, qualifications, duties required and hours needed. Here’s an overview of what goes into the costs and what you can expect to budget for home security guards.
Average Costs for Private Security Guards
On average, hiring an unarmed private security guard typically costs between $15-$25 per hour. Armed security personnel cost more, with rates often ranging from $20-$35 per hour on average. Many security companies have minimum hours requirements as well, such as requiring an 8 hour minimum per guard requested. There may also be additional fees for things like equipment, uniforms, mileage/transportation, or administration costs.
Based on typical hourly wages and minimum hours, general cost estimates are:
| Number of Hours | Unarmed Guard | Armed Guard |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | $120 – $200 | $160 – $280 |
| 16 | $240 – $400 | $320 – $560 |
| 24 | $360 – $600 | $480 – $840 |
| 40 | $600 – $1,000 | $800 – $1,400 |
As you can see, daily costs for round-the-clock protection from one guard can easily exceed $1,000 per day, while monthly costs for full time security stretch into the tens of thousands of dollars. Costs accumulate quickly, so it’s important to carefully evaluate your security needs and risk factors when budgeting for a private security force.
Factors That Influence Cost
Many variables affect how much you can expect to spend on home security guards. Key factors include:
Location
Where you live is one of the biggest cost drivers. Security services in major metropolitan areas like New York City or Los Angeles will be more expensive than rural areas due to higher wages and cost of living expenses for guards. Location also factors into the level of risk and potential threats, which may demand higher caliber personnel.
Qualifications & Training
Better trained security guards with military, law enforcement or advanced security backgrounds will have higher rates. Things like expert marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat skills, emergency medical training or executive protection experience will increase costs.
Duties & Hours
The specific duties, scope of responsibility and number of hours required per guard also impact rates. More hazardous tasks like personal protection for high risk individuals or securingsensitive locations warrant higher wages. Additionally, most companies have minimum hours requirements starting at 4-8 hours per guard requested.
Armed vs Unarmed
Hiring armed guards will cost 1.5-1.75x more than unarmed personnel. The premium pays for their enhanced training and licensing plus the additional risk and liability associated with having firearms on duty.
Insurance
Reputable security companies will maintain general liability insurance, workers compensation coverage and bonding to cover their personnel. However, make sure policies are adequate as you can still have liability if an incident occurs on your property.
Equipment & Other Costs
Some companies bundle equipment costs like uniforms, body armor, surveillance tech and vehicles into their rates, but others charge separately. Make sure you understand what’s included and account for any out of pocket equipment expenses you may incur.
Cost Saving Tips
If hiring round-the-clock home security seems beyond your budget, there are ways to potentially reduce costs without cutting corners on safety:
Hire Retired Law Enforcement
Retired police officers provide tons of experience at lower rates than large national security firms. Check for local retiree associations.
Use Serving Officers
Many active duty law enforcement members work private security gigs on the side for extra income at reasonable hourly rates.
Split Shifts
Covering evenings and nights only with a guard can establish security at key times for thousands less than full time coverage.
Use Tech, Dogs, Gates
Layering in technology like cameras and sensors, security dogs and gated entries can reduce the number of guards needed and lower costs.
Go Unarmed
Eliminating firearms keeps rates 25-50% lower if high threat security isn’t a necessity.
Compare Multiple Firms
Don’t go with the first bid. Get at least 3 quotes to find the best value services for your needs.
Additional Cost Considerations
Beyond the base wages for qualified guards, there are additional costs to factor into your security budget:
Insurance
Reputable companies insure their personnel, but make sure general liability and workers comp policies are adequate if an incident occurs on your property. Getting supplemental insurance of your own is wise.
Equipment
Some firms bundle equipment costs like uniforms, vehicles, surveillance tech and firearms (if armed guards) into their rates, but others charge separately. Clarify what’s included versus out of pocket.
Administrative Fees
Many companies add on hourly admin fees for scheduling, processing payroll, compliance reporting and overhead. These typically add 15-25% or more to the base rate.
Minimum Hours
Most firms have a minimum number of hours required when scheduling guards, often starting around 4-8 hours per guard. You’ll pay for the minimum even if you need less time.
Mileage & Transportation
If your location requires the company to travel long distances, they may bill for mileage. Vehicle costs like fuel, maintenance and depreciation are often factored into rates too.
Cancellation Fees
There’s usually a cancellation policy if you need to cancel scheduled guard hours. Fees often run 50-100% of the rate for time cancelled within 24-48 hours.
Contract Terms
Many firms require 1-3 month minimum contracts for regular security services. This guarantees them consistent revenue, but reduces flexibility if your needs change.
How Much Should You Budget?
Determining the right security budget for your home depends on the level of protection needed versus the costs you can reasonably afford. Here are some guidelines based on the scope of coverage:
Light Coverage – $2,000/month
This budget buys approximately 8-16 hours per day of an unarmed guard, often scheduled for key evening and nighttime hours. Provides a limited, but regular security presence for basic coverage needs.
Moderate Coverage – $4,000-$6,000/month
In this range you can afford increased hours (16-24 per day) and/or the addition of armed personnel for moderate risk scenarios. Often you can cover full evenings/nights with a site supervisor overseeing 1-2 guards.
Full Time Live-In – $10,000+/month
For round-the-clock protection, a team of 4-6 guards is necessary to cover shifts. This provides 1-2 on duty at all hours backed up by supervisors and armed response personnel. Full time protection easily exceeds $10k monthly.
Executive Level Security – $15,000+/month
Former secret service, private executive protection teams, armored vehicles, emergency contingencies – the works. Top end security for ultra high net worth households or at risk individuals can cost $500k+ annually.
Cost Comparison of Security Guard vs Security System
While technology can’t replace guards, security systems are a key complementary layer. Here’s how costs of a dedicated live-in guard compare to a high end home security package:
| Costs | Armed Guard (3 shifts per day) |
Security System |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront Equipment | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Monthly Fees | $15,000 | $150 |
| Annual Total | $185,000 | $2,800 |
Technology like cameras, sensors and home automation costs a fraction compared to human guards. That said, guards actively intervene while systems only document and alert after incidents occur. Finding the right balance is key for your budget.
Conclusion
Hiring home security guards provides an increased sense of safety but comes at a significant cost. Prices are influenced by many variables like hours needed, qualifications, duties, equipment needs and location. While exact costs depend on your specific requirements, you can expect to budget at minimum several thousand dollars monthly for part time coverage up to $10,000+ monthly for round-the-clock protection. Being clear on your security goals versus available budget will ensure you select adequate services at reasonable rates.