About This Tool

Why use this tool?

Security procurement often involves comparing proposals that cover different services, frequencies and coverage levels — making them hard to compare. This tool standardises the comparison across key dimensions so you can evaluate models objectively.

Use it to shortlist service models before requesting formal quotes, or to benchmark an existing arrangement against alternatives.

Who should use this?

Procurement TeamsFacilities ManagersOperations DirectorsFinance DirectorsAnyone comparing security options

Before you begin

Annual ranges shown are indicative Yorkshire & Lincolnshire benchmarks based on typical service volumes. Actual costs depend on visit frequency, site complexity and service design.

Business Security ToolsSecurity Service Comparator

Benchmark

Security Service Comparator

Compare different security service models side-by-side — indicative costs, resilience, visibility and reporting. Find what fits your site.

Annual ranges shown are indicative Yorkshire & Lincolnshire benchmarks based on typical service volumes. Actual costs depend on visit frequency, site complexity and service design. Use the Benchmark Planner or Guarding Estimator for visit-specific calculations.

Filter by site type

Essentials

Keyholding Only

Annual benchmark

£250.00 – £600.00

indicative range / year

Best for

Lower-risk commercial or office sites

Sites with a reliable alarm system

Resilience

Visibility

Reporting

Proof level

No regular site visit or deterrence patrol

Add to comparison

Standard

Patrols + Keyholding

Annual benchmark

£1,800.00 – £5,500.00

indicative range / year

Best for

Commercial, industrial or logistics sites

Most common model for single-site businesses

Resilience

Visibility

Reporting

Proof level

Not suitable as the only layer for high-value or high-risk sites

✓ In comparison

Standard–Enhanced

Patrols + Lock/Unlock

Annual benchmark

£2,500.00 – £7,000.00

indicative range / year

Best for

Sites that require daily open/close

Removing lock/unlock burden from staff

Resilience

Visibility

Reporting

Proof level

Lock/unlock visits add cost — assess whether staff can cover some periods

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Standard–Enhanced

Patrols + VPIs

Annual benchmark

£2,000.00 – £5,000.00

indicative range / year

Best for

Vacant or partially occupied properties

Sites requiring insurer-evidenced inspection intervals

Resilience

Visibility

Reporting

Proof level

VPIs alone are not a response service — keyholding should run alongside

Add to comparison

Side-by-side comparison

Select up to 4 models above. Click a card to add or remove.

Criteria	Patrols + Keyholding Standard	Alarm Response + Keyholding Essentials–Standard	Patrols + Keyholding + Lock/Unlock Enhanced
Annual range	£1,800.00 – £5,500.00	£250.00 – £1,200.00	£4,000.00 – £10,000.00
Resilience
Visibility
Reporting
Proof level
Best for	Commercial, industrial or logistics sites Most common model for single-site businesses Where some deterrence and documented presence is required	Sites with a professionally monitored alarm system Where all coverage is reactive rather than proactive Budget-constrained operations needing insurer compliance	Multi-risk sites with multiple coverage needs Industrial, logistics or retail with high asset value Sites requiring a fully documented daily security programme
Limitations	Not suitable as the only layer for high-value or high-risk sites Patrol visit timing should be irregular for maximum deterrence	No regular site presence or deterrence patrol Response-only model — relies on alarm functioning correctly	Higher cost — ensure all elements are genuinely needed at the contracted frequency

Build your model

Ready to put real numbers to your model?

Use the Benchmark Planner to add visit frequencies, patrol durations and bank holiday rules — and get a full annual cost breakdown for the model that fits your site.

Worked Example

Vacant retail unit in a city centre

This side-by-side example shows how three possible models may differ for one realistic vacant-property scenario.

Model	Illustrative monthly cost	Coverage pattern	Best suited to
Mobile patrols only	from approximately £375 per month (1 visit per day)	Scheduled or random checks; no continuous presence	Lower-risk units and budget-conscious owners
Keyholding plus patrols	from approximately £400 per month	Patrols plus alarm-response cover	Units with an active alarm system
Static guarding	from approximately £3,000+ per month (1 officer, standard shift)	Continuous on-site presence	High-value stock and active development sites

Important: Figures are illustrative ‘from’ benchmarks based on published indicative rates and standard assumptions, not quotations. Actual costs depend on site size, access, local risk and specific requirements. Rates are reviewed annually, or quarterly where set by contract terms; figures may not reflect current pricing.

Understanding your results

The comparator shows each model scored across:

Indicative annual cost range

Resilience and coverage depth

Visibility and deterrence value

Reporting and proof-of-attendance quality

Limitations: Cost ranges are indicative benchmarks for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire — not fixed prices. Use the Guarding Estimator or Cost Planner for specific calculations.

Common mistakes to avoid

Comparing only on price

The cheapest model is rarely the best. Resilience, visibility and reporting quality all affect the value a service delivers.

Overlooking technology-integrated models

CCTV-integrated models can deliver comparable deterrence at lower cost than full-time guarding for many sites.

What happens next?

Use the Security Cost Planner to add visit-specific cost calculations.

Open the Guarding Estimator if manned guarding is a core part of your model.

Contact SPS Security for a formal proposal based on your shortlisted models.

Frequently Asked Questions