How to Start a Security Guard Company

Part 1 - How to start a Security Guard Company business - Background

This is a needed business because companies and individuals often don’t have the resources to perform their own security detail. Security guard services usually charge hourly fees for the services being provided. The prices charged will increase based on the number of security guards provided for the clients.

Our guide is in 3 parts:

• Part 1 - How to start a Security Guard business - Background
• Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
• Part 3 - Action plan to get started

What are the costs involved in opening a security guard company?

Costs for starting a security guard business are minimal. The largest cost is insurance, which can be up to $3,000 for a 6-month term. Legal and regulatory costs will run about $500. The cost for basic equipment and uniforms varies. If guards have their own firearms or force equipment, then the cost will be minimal. If not, they can range from just a couple hundred dollars for a used handgun to several thousand dollars.

Uniforms will run about $100 per guard or officer.

Some local and state laws require security companies to maintain an office. Minimize these costs by using shared-space small offices. A shared office will cost several hundred dollars per month, depending on where you live. Dedicated offices can run several thousand per month.

This is a business where having a large office isn’t important. Only get as much office space as you absolutely need.

Marketing materials for the new business will likely run $1,000 to $2,000.

Websites are another cost you should consider. They will run you between $300 and $500 for a basic website. Hosting should cost no more than $100 per year. In many cases, you can find hosting for much less.

What are the ongoing expenses for a security guard company?

Normal ongoing expenses for this business are minimal. Mostly, you’re paying for insurance, an office, a security team’s salary (and related expenses).

Who is the target market?

Security companies typically work with wealthier clients who have valuable property to protect. These clients are usually businesses that guard valuable information, tangible items, or individuals within their premises.

On rare occasions, a company might be hired to protect an individual, like a local or national celebrity, a political figure, or CEO of a large company.

How does a security guard company make money?

Most security companies charge clients an hourly rate or flat fee for services. Larger security guard companies have corporate or commercial clients. The ideal client is one who signs a multi-year service contract. However, when you’re just starting out, these types of clients are hard to get.

How much can you charge customers?

Security guard companies tend to have a range of prices, depending on the services they’re offering. For unarmed security, you can charge between $10 and $25 per hour. For armed security, you can charge from $35, up to even $100, if it’s a special or high-risk event.

However, this is not the only way to charge clients. Security contracts, including both short and long-term contracts, can fetch a much higher total fee for services. Some companies will charge “by the job,” in which case the company is charging a contract fee. These fees can amount to several thousand dollars per contract.

In some cases, a client pays monthly, semi-annually, or annually for services and renews the contract for many years. This is an ideal scenario, and produces stable long-term income for the business.

Per-contract fees are usually reserved for established clients, however.

Another factor affecting what you can charge clients is the number of security personnel on-site for a job. Most companies charge more if there are more guards on-site.

How much profit can a security guard company make?

Security companies can generate approximately $40,000-$60,000 per security guard, per year. If you hire a team of 5 security guards at startup, then you may be able to clear $300,000 in revenue. Net profits vary based on your insurance costs, labor costs, and regulatory costs in your state.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Most security businesses could benefit from specialization and charging higher prices. Closing higher-paying clients will also bring in more money.

For example, instead of offering generic security services to a local business, try specializing in bodyguard services, mall services, or catered event services for politicians. If your company becomes known for providing security for high-profile clients, you’ll have very little competition.

Also, a security guard typically has all the skills necessary to provide bodyguard services as well. However, the term “bodyguard” typically connotes a larger, muscular person who is capable of intimidating potential threats to the client’s person. If you feel as though you can provide these services–which typically involve protection of individual people–this is an effective way to increase clientele.

Day-to-Day and Growth

What happens during a typical day at a security guard company?

Day-to-day activities of a security company include preparing security-related documents like incident reports and proposals, strategic or tactical initiatives and reviewing these documents. Management also needs to provide ongoing training and education for subordinates, plan security detail for special and high-risk events, and review financial reports to make sure security operations are never in jeopardy.

A security company’s management also needs to maintain its budget for security operations, order security-related supplies and equipment, coordinate operations and activities with law enforcement (and other agencies), and attend meetings and professional seminars. In rare circumstances, you may also have to coordinate and provide support during emergencies.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful security guard company?

Security guards typically have some form of formal training from combat fields such as policing, military service, etc. In addition to this, security professionals should a have a private patrol operator’s license and extensive knowledge of law enforcement techniques.

What is the growth potential for a security guard company?

These businesses can be run at a small or large scale. A small security business can be run by just a handful of individuals. When operating a small company, the biggest concern is usually cost control and recouping the startup costs, like insurance, office space, and equipment.

All other things being equal, it’s easier to recoup these costs with a minimum staff of 5 people than with 3. The more guards you can hire, the better.

Large operations are more expensive to run, but also tend to have more stable income and more lucrative service contracts because they are more likely to land large multi-year corporate contracts.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a security guard company?

Partnering with local HOAs, landlords, and local businesses could help you secure your initial security contracts. Try to keep costs associated with office space to a minimum. In most cases, you won’t need a large office when you’re just starting out.

How and when to build a team

In most cases, it makes sense to take on a team of 3 to 5 security professionals when you’re first starting out. Not only does this help you recover the initial startup costs, it helps build your revenue stream faster, since you can take on more work. As your company grows and becomes more well-known, you can hire additional security guards as finances allow.

Part 2 - Is a Security Guard Company business the right fit for you?

Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Security Guard Company business in 90 days