Security guards who bill clients directly are usually independent contractors, owners of small guard companies, or off-duty officers who take private jobs. They invoice property managers, retailers, construction sites, event organizers, churches, and homeowners associations for staffed hours, patrols, and special assignments. Most invoices are built around hours worked per post, with add-ons for holidays, overtime, vehicles, and equipment.
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Most guard work is billed hourly per guard, with the bill rate set well above the guard's pay rate to cover payroll taxes, workers' compensation, general liability insurance, licensing, uniforms, and supervision. Unarmed, armed, and specialty posts (executive protection, fire watch, event crowd control) each have their own rate. Overtime, holidays, and short-notice requests usually bill at 1.5x. Many jobs carry a minimum shift of 3 to 4 hours. Mobile patrol is often priced per visit or per patrol check, or as a monthly flat fee for a set number of drive-bys. Long-term contracts may use a monthly rate based on weekly hours. Vehicles, body cameras, and radios are sometimes billed as separate line items, and travel or mileage may apply for remote sites.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Unarmed security guard (static post) | per hour | $25-45 |
| Armed security guard | per hour | $40-75 |
| Event security / crowd control | per hour | $30-55 |
| Mobile patrol (vehicle drive-by with report) | per visit | $25-60 |
| Fire watch | per hour | $30-50 |
| Executive or personal protection | per hour | $60-150 |
| Overnight construction site guard | per hour | $28-50 |
| Patrol vehicle or equipment add-on | per shift | $20-75 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armed guard, front lobby post, 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Mar 3-9 (1 guard, 12-hr shifts, 4 nights) | 48 hours | $52.00 | $2,496.00 |
| Overtime hours beyond 40 per guard per week (Mar 8-9 shifts) | 8 hours | $78.00 | $624.00 |
| Mobile patrol, parking lot and perimeter check with written report, Mar 3-9 | 14 visits | $35.00 | $490.00 |
| Patrol vehicle use, overnight shifts | 4 shifts | $40.00 | $160.00 |
| Short-notice request, additional guard for Mar 8 (under 24 hours notice), 4-hr minimum | 4 hours | $42.00 | $168.00 |
| Total | $3,938.00 | ||
Notes: Payment due within 15 days of invoice date. Daily activity reports and incident logs are available on request. Overtime and holiday hours are billed at 1.5x the standard rate per contract. A 1.5% monthly fee applies to balances past due. Please reference contract #2025-014 on payment.
Guards often cover multiple sites. Naming the exact post prevents the client from disputing which location a charge belongs to.
Hours are the core of the bill. Clear shift records settle disagreements about late arrivals, early releases, and overlapping coverage.
Different posts have different rates, and armed work carries higher insurance and licensing costs the client should see reflected.
Separate lines show the premium rate was agreed in the contract and keep the base hours easy to verify.
Property managers and corporate clients often cannot process payment without a reference number to match in accounts payable.
Many states license security companies and require the license number on contracts and sometimes on billing. Check your state's rules.
Attaching or offering daily activity reports and patrol logs proves the work was done and answers questions about specific shifts.
Contract clients commonly pay net 15 or net 30, and weekly or biweekly invoicing is typical because guard payroll cannot wait on slow payers. For new clients, small companies often ask for a deposit or first week prepaid, and one-time event work is usually paid in full before or on the day of the event. Cancellations with short notice often trigger a minimum charge for the scheduled hours. Late fees of 1% to 1.5% per month are common if stated in the contract. Payment is usually by ACH, check, or card, and recurring clients often set up automatic ACH payment.
Guards will not take a one-hour job that costs them two hours of travel and prep. A 3 or 4 hour minimum protects your payroll and should be written into the contract and shown on the invoice.
Clients rarely object to 1.5x pay on holidays when it was agreed up front. Surprises on the invoice are what cause disputes.
If you pay guards every week, waiting 30 days to bill creates a cash gap. Weekly or biweekly invoicing keeps cash flow close to payroll.
Use sign-in sheets, patrol check-ins, or a timekeeping app. If a client questions hours, matching records settle it quickly.
If a client cancels an event after you have scheduled guards, bill at least the minimum shift for each. State this in the agreement.
Most small operators bill per guard per hour. If a post needs two guards for 8 hours, that is 16 billable hours. Per-post pricing works for long contracts with a steady schedule, where you quote a weekly or monthly total.
Yes, if it is agreed in advance. Many companies fold it into a per-visit rate. For distant sites, a separate mileage or travel line is common. Put it in the contract so it is not a surprise.
It depends on the state. Some states tax security or protective services and others do not. Check with your state revenue department or a tax professional before deciding whether to add tax to invoices.
Record the extra time and bill it at your overtime or extended-hours rate. Ask for written confirmation by text or email from the client contact, and note it on the invoice.
It is not required on the invoice itself, but clients often ask for a certificate of insurance before the job starts. Keep general liability and workers' compensation coverage current, since many contracts require them.
Send a Security Guard estimate for approval, then turn it into an invoice when the work is done.
Security Guard estimate template