Security Guard Cost - Buyer Experiences and Price Information

I used armored protective services to protect my business and I have to say they are the best. I have tried some other companies and they failed to meet my expectations.

Hired them for construction site in Downtown Los Angeles, Services was OKAY but as compare to other companies i would give them 9 out of 10, i had cheaper quote too but to save some pennies i would not risk my project so I gave WM try since they had all insurance and licenses in place i was on safe. I guess this is by far inexpensive company i know in regards to carrying all licenses in insurances..

This guys were great to have. Both unarmed & armed. They Had some old police interceptors and armed security looked like cops, uniforms were super clean. Their service was on point and cost was discounted VIA The Owners Sky & Steve. The Customer Service was great The Supevisir Nick (Lt.) & The Company Manager Mya We're super helpful and made should my builds and Employees were protected and safe, along with my money and products :) Can't wait renew our contract.

Great company that is professional and the Officers are well dress and sharp. I like that fact that the owner of the company is hands on and always reachable. I highly recommend them

Frontier only charges 14.61. The security guard sits in his vehicle and reads a book. The guards is only needed 3.5 to 4 hours; however Frontier is forcing us to pay a minimum of 6 hours. Is this legal.

This company looked and acted like cops! Uniforms were sharp. They were very professional. Thorough reports were given.

Boss Dog Crime Prevention inc.
This company was very professional . and even though this is a small newer company all Expectations were met and I would recommend this company. We will continue to use this company when needed.

I also wanted to chime in about the "sky high" rates for armed guard liability insurance. This is an urban legend or an assumption from someone who has never purchased guard service liability insurance. Yes - it's true, liability insurance for armed guards is higher than for unarmed guards. **BUT** In my experience (20 years owning a guard service) the rates are not that much higher. Large guard companies (people mills) who are all about the profits and could care less about clients or their officers help perpetuate that falsehood so they can steer unwitting clients into unarmed guards where the risk to them is minimized and profits can be maximized.
Armed rates are higher because the guards are paid a little more, etc. In today's liability climate, families of deceased unarmed guards who were murdered on the job are suing for wrongful death and winning huge judgements. It is something to consider before you hire unarmed security personnel.

Rates for security officers vary widely depending on where (City/State) the site to be staffed is located. The hourly rate is based in part on local prevailing wage rates. In areas where the cost of living is higher, the wages have to be higher and thus the price will be higher. Rates are also based on volume. If you need coverage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week your rate will be lower than someone who only needs coverage 4 hours per night, 5 days a week. There are many variables that go into formulating a security officer billing rate.
In Memphis the average billing rate for armed run between $ 18 - $ 22 per hour. Unarmed runs between $ 13 - $ 16 per hour.
Expect to pay more for temporary or short term assignments as opposed to long term contracts.
My advice when selecting a guard service - find a local based company and do not choose on price alone. You get what you pay for is very true... with security guards - you get 60% of what you pay for.

Ca. labor code 2810 requires security companies to charge an hourly rate that covers all payroll, taxes and insurance required by law. And any other mandated employee cost. All duties and hours must be included in contract before any one arrives on site. Any changes made requires an new contract If a client dose not request a contract it is assumed they know the rate is too low to cover reqired expenses and can be sued buy the service employee or the state on their behalf. You can be mid contract and have stae, fedral taxes increase or insurance rates increase to security company and you will have to resign contract or switch companies.

The client location, type of bussines,type of event, insurance claims against client property, or crime reports for area/location can affect vendor's insurance rate. If you hire an armed guard then all insurance rates sky rocket.

If you are quoted $16.00 an hour for an unarmed officer be very suspicious. If the guard is paid $8.00 per hour that leaves the company $8.00 per hour to cover all required cost.

In CA. hiring an off duty police officer or a retired officer gets you nothing special. The stae views them as regular security guards. They have no police powers. The only way they have police powers they must be in department uniform and you must have a letter from the department accepting all liability for the officer's actions.

This company was very professional from top to bottom. Expectations were met and I would recommend this company. We will continue to use this company when needed.

I am, like many officers, available for off-duty, around-the-clock, armed protection. Off-Duty officers cost the same, but offer a completely different level of expertise and safety.