Security Guide
How Much Do Security Guards Cost in Washington? What Drives the Price
Hours, post type, number of Officers, patrol frequency, short-notice starts, contract length, and reporting — the factors behind an accurate security quote.
The most common first question a Client asks is what security will cost. The honest answer depends on what the property needs. A one-hour closing check, an overnight Patrol route, a 24-hour lobby post, and an emergency Fire Watch are priced very differently, so a single published rate would mislead more Clients than it would help. This guide explains what actually drives the price of security in Western Washington and how to get a quote you can plan around.
1. Total Hours of Coverage
Hours are the largest driver. A post staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week requires several Officers to cover every shift, days off, and relief. A post covering only nights or weekends needs far fewer hours. Before asking for a quote, decide when the risk actually exists — after close, overnight, during deliveries, or around the clock.
2. Type of Coverage
A dedicated On-site Officer is paid for every hour on post. Mobile Patrols are priced by the number and length of visits, so they often cost less while still providing visible deterrence and documented checks. Emergency Fire Watch is priced by the hours and number of Officers the fire authority requires, and Event Security by headcount and event length.
3. Number of Officers
Large buildings, multiple entrances, busy events, and sites with both a gate and a front desk may need more than one Officer at a time. We recommend the number the site actually requires and explain why, rather than adding Officers to a quote that one Officer can cover.
4. Patrol Frequency
For Patrol programs, the number of visits per night and the time spent on each visit set the price. A quick exterior check costs less than a foot patrol through a garage, stairwells, and common areas. Randomized visits concentrated in the hours when problems actually happen usually deliver more value than evenly spaced ones.
5. Short-Notice and Emergency Starts
Coverage needed today, overnight, or on a holiday takes more scheduling effort than a planned start. If you know a sprinkler shutdown, renovation, or event is coming, booking ahead is the simplest way to keep the cost down. When an emergency does happen, we deploy as soon as possible and explain any difference in rate before coverage begins.
6. Contract Length and Schedule Stability
Ongoing coverage on a steady schedule is easier to staff than a short engagement with changing hours. Longer, predictable programs let us assign consistent Officers who learn the site, which improves the coverage as well as the price.
7. Site Instructions and Reporting Needs
Every post follows our universal Post Orders #1–4, plus Site Instructions written for that property. Sites with detailed requirements — visitor badging, contractor escorts, package handling, or reporting formats required by an insurer or fire authority — take more preparation and training time, which is factored into the quote.
8. What Should Not Drive the Price Down
The least expensive option is not always the lowest cost. Officers without proper training create liability, and missing documentation can leave a Client unable to prove coverage to an insurer or inspector. Ask any provider how Officers are trained, how coverage is documented, and who supervises the post. Our Officers complete the Officer Integration Program (OIP), which goes beyond Washington's minimum training requirement.
How to Get an Accurate Quote
Have these details ready: the address, what you are trying to prevent or solve, the days and hours you need, whether you want an On-site Officer, Patrols, or both, and any requirements from your insurer, property owner, or fire authority. With that, our Team can recommend coverage and give you a clear quote. See our case studies for examples of how coverage is matched to a site, or Request Coverage to start.
Work With Diligence Security
Diligence Security LLC protects people across King, Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap, and Thurston Counties. Explore our Patrol Officer programs, On-site Security posts, Emergency Fire Watch, and Event Security, or review the Service Areas we cover. Contact us for a site evaluation, or see our Officer training and Guard Card certification if you are staffing a Team of your own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't you publish a price list for security Officers?
- Because two properties rarely need the same coverage. Hours, the type of post, the number of Officers, and patrol frequency all change the price, so we quote the actual post after we understand the site.
Is a Mobile Patrol less expensive than an On-site Officer?
- Usually, yes. A Patrol program pays for scheduled visits rather than every hour of the day, so it often fits properties that need deterrence and documented checks but not a full-time presence.
Does short-notice or emergency coverage cost more?
- It can. Same-day starts, overnight emergencies, and holiday coverage take more scheduling effort than a planned start, and that is reflected in the quote. We explain any difference before coverage begins.
How do I get an accurate security quote?
- Call (253) 227-3565 or request coverage online. Tell us the address, the problem you are solving, the hours you need, and any requirements from your insurer, fire authority, or property owner.
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