--- title: "Security Guarding Cost Estimator | SPS Security" description: "Estimate the likely cost of manned security guarding for your site. Build a shift pattern, set pay rates and get an indicative annual cost range. Free tool from SPS Security." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "How accurate are these estimates?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "These are indicative planning figures for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. They give a realistic cost range for budgeting and early-stage comparison. Actual costs depend on site complexity, shift patterns and service design." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What pay rates are used?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You can choose from National Living Wage, Real Living Wage, the SPS recommended rate, or enter a custom rate. The tool adds employer overheads and typical margin to produce a charge rate." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is full-time guarding always the right approach?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Not always. For many sites, a combination of guarding during peak hours with mobile patrols or keyholding overnight may be more proportionate. The estimator flags this where relevant." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I compare guarding costs with other options?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. After generating an estimate, the tool links directly to the Security Cost Planner and Hybrid Security Review so you can compare." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is the tool free?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. No login, no obligation. Use it as many times as you need." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does this cover sites outside Yorkshire?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The pricing is calibrated for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. 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Build a shift pattern, set pay rates and get an indicative annual cost range. Free tool.", "url": "https://sps-security.com/tools/guarding-estimator", "applicationCategory": "BusinessApplication", "operatingSystem": "Web browser", "offers": { "@type": "Offer", "price": "0", "priceCurrency": "GBP" }, "provider": { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sps-security.com/#organization", "name": "SPS Security" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "HowTo", "name": "Security Guarding Cost Estimator", "step": [ { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 1, "name": "Site & Requirement" }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 2, "name": "Cover Pattern" }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 3, "name": "Shift Builder" }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 4, "name": "Pay & Extras" }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 5, "name": "Risk & Service" }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 6, "name": "Estimate" }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 7, "name": "Next Steps" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sps-security.base44.app/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Business Security Tools", "item": "https://sps-security.base44.app/tools" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Guarding Estimator" } ] } ] --- Established in Hull in 1992 — Trusted Security Services Across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire [01482 226570](tel:01482226570)24/7 Control Room [![SPS Security](https://qtrypzzcjebvfcihiynt.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/base44-prod/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/a2fa8c13a_SPSSecurityNewLogo.png)](/) Services Sectors How We Operate Insights & Tools About [Careers](/careers)[Contact](/contact-us) [Book a Security Review Book a Review ](/contact-us) [Home](/)[Business Security Tools](/tools)Guarding Estimator About This Tool ## Why use this tool? Security guarding is typically the largest component of a security budget, but many businesses commission it without a clear understanding of what it should cost. Pay rates, shift patterns, additional duties and regional factors all affect the price. This estimator helps you build a realistic cost model before requesting formal quotes — so you can compare proposals more confidently and identify where a different model (such as a hybrid of guarding and patrols) may be more proportionate. ## Who should use this? Facilities Managers Procurement Teams Operations Directors Security Managers Business Owners Managing Agents Anyone budgeting for security guarding ## Before you begin This estimator provides indicative planning figures for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire — not fixed contract prices. Actual costs depend on site complexity, vetting requirements, contract length and service design. Use the estimates for budgeting and early-stage comparison before requesting a formal quote. [Security Tools](/tools)Guarding Cost Estimator # Security Guarding Cost Estimator Estimate the likely cost of manned security guarding for your site. This guided security officer cost calculator helps you build an indicative guarding model based on site type, shift pattern, pay basis and risk level — so you can compare security contract pricing before requesting a formal quote. Not sure if full-time guarding is the right approach? The estimator will also help you consider whether mobile patrols, keyholding or a hybrid security model may be more suitable. SIA Approved Contractor Established 1992 24/7 Control Room ISO 9001 Certified Yorkshire & Lincolnshire 1 Site & Requirement 2 Cover Pattern 3 Shift Builder 4 Pay & Extras 5 Risk & Service 6 Estimate 7 Next Steps Step 1 of 7 Site & Requirement ## What type of site are you looking at? This helps us tailor the estimate to your type of premises. Logistics / Distribution Industrial / Manufacturing Retail Park / Commercial Estate School / Education Construction Site Vacant Property Commercial / Office Premises Healthcare / Care Other / Mixed Use ### What are you looking to do? This helps us provide the right recommendations. Looking for a new security serviceReviewing an existing serviceBudgeting for a tender or specificationNot sure yet — just exploring ### Where is the site? Hull / East YorkshireNorth / NE LincolnshireWest YorkshireSouth YorkshireNorth YorkshireOther / Outside these areas Continue Worked Example ## 1 officer, night shift, 7 nights per week Base rate: from £18.25 per hour. Shift assumption: 10pm–6am (8 hours) × 7 nights = 56 hours per week. Indicative weekly benchmark: from £1,022, before shift-pattern premiums, holiday cover or site-specific requirements. **Important:** This is an illustrative ‘from’ benchmark based on the published indicative hourly rate, not a quotation. Actual pricing depends on shift pattern, site location, contract length and specific officer requirements, such as SIA specialism or dog handling. Assumes one officer working the stated hours. Rates are reviewed annually, or quarterly where set by contract terms; figures may not reflect current pricing. ## Understanding your results The estimator produces an indicative annual cost range covering: Weekly officer hours based on your shift pattern Low and high cost range based on pay basis and regional factors Indicative charge rates including employer overheads and margin Comparison prompts for alternative models such as hybrid security **Limitations:** These are planning figures for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire — not fixed prices. Actual costs depend on site complexity, vetting requirements and contract length. Use the estimate for budgeting and early-stage comparison. ## Common mistakes to avoid ### Using pay rate as the charge rate Charge rates include employer NI, pension, holiday accrual, management overhead and margin. A £12/hr pay rate typically results in a charge rate of £18–£22/hr depending on the provider and service design. ### Not accounting for shift premiums Night shifts, weekends and bank holidays often carry rate uplifts. An estimate based only on standard day rates will understate the true cost. ### Assuming 24/7 guarding when it is not needed Many sites only need guarding during specific risk periods. A hybrid model with patrols or monitoring covering quieter hours may be more proportionate and cost-effective. ### Comparing quotes without standardising the rota Two quotes covering different shift patterns are not directly comparable. Always align hours, days and duties before comparing provider costs. ## What happens next? 1 Review your estimate and decide whether the guarding model fits your site risk profile. 2 Use the Security Cost Planner to compare guarding costs alongside patrols and keyholding. 3 Open the Hybrid Security Review to test whether a blended model could suit your site. 4 Request a formal quote from SPS Security for a tailored proposal. 5 Share the estimate internally to support budgeting discussions. Frequently Asked Questions ## Security Guarding Cost Estimator — FAQs How accurate are these estimates? These are indicative planning figures for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. They give a realistic cost range for budgeting and early-stage comparison. Actual costs depend on site complexity, shift patterns and service design. What pay rates are used? You can choose from National Living Wage, Real Living Wage, the SPS recommended rate, or enter a custom rate. The tool adds employer overheads and typical margin to produce a charge rate. Is full-time guarding always the right approach? Not always. For many sites, a combination of guarding during peak hours with mobile patrols or keyholding overnight may be more proportionate. The estimator flags this where relevant. Can I compare guarding costs with other options? Yes. After generating an estimate, the tool links directly to the Security Cost Planner and Hybrid Security Review so you can compare. Is the tool free? Yes. No login, no obligation. Use it as many times as you need. Does this cover sites outside Yorkshire? The pricing is calibrated for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. It may give a reasonable indication for nearby areas, but regional rates vary. Related Services ## Services commonly recommended Based on your results, one or more of these services may strengthen your security arrangements. [ ### Security Guarding SIA-licensed officers for on-site protection Learn more ](/services/security-guarding)[ ### Mobile Patrols A lighter alternative for lower-risk periods Learn more ](/services/mobile-patrols)[ ### Keyholding & Alarm Response Out-of-hours cover without full-time presence Learn more ](/services/keyholding-alarm-response)[ ### Integrated Security Guarding combined with patrols and monitoring Learn more ](/services/integrated-security) Related Tools ## You may also find these useful [ ### Security Cost Planner Compare guarding costs with patrols and keyholding ](/tools/security-cost-planner)[ ### Hybrid Security Review Test whether a mix of guarding and patrols could work ](/tools/hybrid-security-review)[ ### Security Review Start here if you have not assessed your current setup ](/tools/security-review)[ ### Security Comparator Compare shortlisted service models side by side ](/tools/security-comparator) ## Related guides [When Security Becomes a Secondary Duty](/when-security-becomes-a-secondary-duty) [Multi-Skilled Security Roles](/multi-skilled-security-roles-where-they-work-and-where-they-create-risk) ## Evidence & standards SIA Approved Contractor Scheme BSIA Member ISO 9001 Quality Management NSI Gold Accredited SafeContractor Approved 24/7 Control Room — Hull ## Ready to speak to us? If you would like a professional assessment or want to discuss your results with our team, we are here to help. 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