What should the quote include?
Ask for the number of guards, shift coverage, supervision and agreed duties. Confirm licensing and insurance requirements with the provider and local authority.
Which charges need a closer look?
Check overtime, minimum shifts, travel, equipment and last-minute schedule changes. Ask whether relief cover is included when a guard is absent.
Have the provider mark each item as included, optional or charged separately. An item left blank is a question to resolve, not something to count as free.
Before you decide
Compare the full staffing schedule and written responsibilities. Do not assume a guard is authorized or equipped for every task simply because a quote describes the service as security.
Compare the total you would pay
Put the offers side by side using the same work, dates and quantities. Add required extras and applicable taxes to each starting price. Keep optional upgrades separate so you can choose them deliberately.
- For an hourly price: ask about minimum time, the expected hours and approval before the bill grows.
- For a package: ask about its limits, expiry and the price of work outside it.
- For a deposit: confirm whether it counts toward the total, when the balance is due and what happens if you cancel.
Keep the agreed price and work list together. If the plan changes, ask for the revised total before agreeing to the extra work.
The rewrite date records an editorial update, not a verification of local prices. How we research fees.