Security guard pricing is rarely a single universal hourly number. A professional proposal should reflect the assignment itself: location, hours, officer duties, supervision, training, reporting, insurance requirements, startup timing, and any unusual site conditions.
What usually affects price
The largest drivers are normally labor market conditions, the schedule, number of posts, coverage hours, overtime exposure, site complexity, administrative and supervisory requirements, insurance, and the level of reporting or technology the client requires.
A 24/7 post is a very different staffing problem from a weekday lobby assignment. A temporary fire-watch requirement is different from a long-term gatehouse. A warehouse with truck traffic creates different work than a quiet office lobby.
Ask for the assumptions
When comparing proposals, ask each vendor to state what the rate includes. Look for supervision, uniforms, training, reporting, scheduling coverage, management support, and any separate fees.
The lowest hourly rate is not always the lowest total cost if uncovered posts, weak reporting, or constant management intervention become the client's problem.
Better next question
Instead of asking only “What is your hourly rate?” ask: “What operating model is included in the rate, and what happens when the scheduled officer cannot work?”
Request a site-specific proposal so the quote reflects the actual assignment.