How Much Does a Security Guard Cost in London? (2026 Guide)
- Solomons FM
- Jun 24
- 5 min read
A professional, SIA-licensed security guard in London typically costs between £18 and £35 per hour for a standard daytime contract, depending on the type of cover, the risk level of your site, and the length of your agreement. For 24/7 manned cover on a single site, businesses should budget from £5,500 to £8,500 per month. Read on for a full breakdown of what drives the price — and what you should expect to be included.
What affects the cost of a security guard in London?
Security pricing isn't one-size-fits-all. Several factors determine what you'll pay:
Type of guard A static guard stationed at a fixed point — a reception desk, a building entrance, or a construction site gate — is the most common arrangement. Mobile patrol officers, who cover multiple sites or perimeter routes during a shift, are generally charged differently, often per visit or as a monthly contract rather than a straight hourly rate.
Hours of cover Daytime rates are the baseline. Night shifts, weekend cover, and bank holiday working all attract uplifts — typically 25 to 50 per cent above the standard rate. A guard contracted at £22 per hour during the day could cost £28 to £33 per hour overnight.
Site risk level A corporate reception in Farringdon and a construction compound in Park Royal are both in London, but they carry different risk profiles. High-risk sites — those with valuable assets, a history of incidents, or specialist compliance requirements — command higher rates because the guard specification is more demanding.
Contract length Short-term or ad hoc bookings cost more per hour than a rolling monthly or annual contract. If you have a one-off requirement (an event, a short-term vacancy cover), expect to pay a premium of 15 to 30 per cent above contracted rates.
Central London premium Location within London matters. Sites in the West End, Canary Wharf, and the City typically run 20 to 40 per cent higher than equivalent sites in outer boroughs, reflecting higher operational costs and demand.
2026 London security guard hourly rates at a glance
Cover type | Typical hourly rate (London) |
Static guard — daytime, standard site | £18–£25/hr |
Static guard — daytime, corporate/high-spec | £25–£35/hr |
Night shift uplift (above daytime rate) | +25–50% |
Weekend / bank holiday uplift | +25–50% |
Mobile patrol (per-visit pricing) | £80–£200/month per site |
Close protection / specialist | £50–£100+/hr |
Rates are market benchmarks for SIA-licensed, BS 7858-vetted officers on professional contracts, 2026. Always request a site-specific quote — published rates are starting points, not fixed prices.
What does a compliant hourly rate actually include?
This is one of the most important questions to ask any security provider — and the answer tells you a lot about the company.
A properly structured hourly rate covers: the officer's wage, SIA licence costs (currently £204 per three-year licence, per the Security Industry Authority), BS 7858 vetting, public liability and employer's liability insurance, uniform and equipment, management and supervision, and holiday cover coordination.
Any quote significantly below £18 per hour in London should prompt questions. At that rate, it becomes difficult to cover all of the above compliantly — which often means corners are being cut somewhere, whether in vetting standards, insurance cover, or the officer's actual pay.
24/7 manned guarding: what does continuous cover cost?
Continuous on-site security requires a rotating team — one officer cannot cover a 24-hour period legally or safely. For round-the-clock cover on a single site in London, businesses typically need at least three to four officers rotating across shifts. The result:
24/7 single-site manned cover: approximately £5,500 to £8,500 per month
This figure reflects officer wages, shift management, relief cover, and compliance costs
Sites with higher risk profiles or specialist requirements will sit at the upper end
If 24/7 cover is beyond your current budget, a combination of daytime static guarding and overnight remote CCTV monitoring is a common cost-effective alternative — the CCTV reduces the hours of physical presence required.
What to watch out for when comparing quotes
Not all security quotes are comparable. When you receive pricing from multiple providers, check:
Is VAT included? Most security companies are VAT-registered. A quote of £20/hr becomes £24/hr once VAT is added — a 20 per cent difference that can significantly affect your budget planning. Always clarify whether figures are ex-VAT or inclusive.
Does the rate cover relief officers? If your contracted officer is unwell or unavailable, who covers? A properly run security company maintains a pool of vetted relief staff. If the answer is unclear, that is a red flag.
Is the company SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) accredited? ACS status means an independent auditor has verified that the company meets baseline operational and ethical standards. It is not a legal requirement, but it is the closest thing to a quality mark in the UK security industry.
What vetting standard applies? BS 7858 is the British Standard for vetting security industry personnel. Ask whether all officers deployed to your site are vetted to this standard before their first shift.
Solomon's approach to security pricing
At Solomon's Facilities Management, all security guards are SIA-licensed, DBS-checked, and inducted to your specific site before deployment. We provide written quotes following a site visit — we don't price without seeing the site, because guesswork leads to gaps in cover and surprises on your invoice. Our security contracts cover London-wide, with a local office in Finchley Central for rapid deployment across North London.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard cost per hour in London? A standard daytime SIA-licensed security guard in London typically costs between £18 and £35 per hour, depending on the site type and contract structure. Night shifts and weekend cover attract uplifts of 25 to 50 per cent on top of the base rate.
What is included in the hourly rate? A compliant rate covers the officer's wage, SIA licensing, BS 7858 vetting, insurance, uniform, management, and holiday cover. Quotes significantly below market rate often indicate gaps in one or more of these areas.
Is VAT charged on security guard services? Yes, VAT applies to security services. Most providers are VAT-registered, so always confirm whether a quoted rate is inclusive or exclusive of VAT — a 20 per cent difference that matters for budget planning.
Do I need a long-term contract? Not necessarily. Some providers offer monthly rolling contracts, which suit businesses with shorter-term requirements. Ad hoc bookings are available but typically cost 15 to 30 per cent more per hour than contracted rates.
Call us on 0204 538 8555 or use our online quote form. We'll arrange a site visit and provide a written quote within 24 hours — no obligation.
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