How to compare security companies
Judge companies on the things that matter — licensing, insurance, rates, response and supervision — not just the lowest hourly rate.
How to compare security companies without getting burned
The lowest hourly rate is almost never the cheapest contract. A bill rate that undercuts the market usually means something has been left out — and it is normally the insurance. Compare companies on the five things below, in writing, before you sign anything.
1. Licensing
Both the company and the officers it deploys must be licensed in your state, active and in good standing. Ask for the company licence number and check it yourself.
- Company (agency) licence number, and the state that issued it.
- Individual guard licences or registrations for the officers on your post.
- Armed officers, if you need them, hold the additional armed permit your state requires.
2. Insurance & bonding
Ask for certificates — not promises.
- General liability insurance, with limits appropriate to your site.
- Workers’ compensation for the officers (so their injury is not your liability).
- A surety bond, where your state or contract requires one.
3. Rates & what they include
- What the hourly bill rate covers: supervision, overtime, uniform and equipment.
- Overtime, holiday and short-notice rates — and when they apply.
- Minimum hours per shift and any monthly minimum.
4. Response & supervision
- How fast they can fill a post — and cover a call-out.
- Who supervises the officers, and how often a supervisor visits the site.
- How rounds are verified: GPS tour checkpoints, daily reports, or both.
5. Training, vetting & contract terms
- Background checks and any site-specific training the officers complete.
- Notice period to end the contract, and what happens if a shift is missed.
- References from clients in a similar industry to yours.
Price a program with the Guard Cost Estimator and size the team with the Guards-Needed Calculator, then hold each quote against these five factors.
Frequently asked questions
Is the cheapest security company ever the right choice?
Sometimes — but only after you have checked that the licence, insurance and supervision are all real. A rate well below the market usually means one of those is missing.
What is a fair hourly rate for unarmed guards?
It varies by city, site type and how hard the post is to staff. Use the Guard Cost Estimator for an indicative range, then compare real quotes against it.
Should the company or I verify their licence?
You should verify it yourself. Every state runs a public licence lookup — our Verify a Licence guide shows you which one to use.