How Do You Hire a Security Guard?
To hire a security guard, define what you need protected and when, decide between armed and unarmed, verify the guard's license and identity, agree the rate and minimum hours, and put the scope of duties in writing. You can do this through a security company or through a marketplace such as XGuard, where independent professionals are verified before listing.
Step one: what do you need the guard to do?
Write down the place, the dates, the hours and the reason. A guard watching an empty construction site overnight does a different job from one checking bags at a door. Be specific about duties: patrol on foot, sit at one post, check identification, escort staff to cars, or simply be visible.
This short description becomes your written scope later, and it lets a professional tell you honestly whether they are the right fit.
Step two: armed or unarmed?
Most assignments are unarmed. Armed guards cost more, typically $55 to $95 an hour against $35 to $60 for unarmed, and carry extra licensing. Choose armed only when the risk clearly justifies it, and check whether your venue or landlord allows or requires it. Our page on armed versus unarmed security goes through the decision.
Step three: how do you verify a guard?
Ask to see the guard's state license, check the name and number against the issuing regulator's lookup, and match the photograph on the license to the person who turns up. Licensing rules differ in every state, and a few states do not license unarmed guards at all, so know what your state requires.
On XGuard, every professional passes identity verification, which matches government photo identification to a live selfie, plus a license check before they are listed. You can still ask any guard to show their credentials on arrival.
Step four: agree the rate, the minimum and the schedule
Settle the hourly rate, the minimum booking length, what happens if the job runs over, and who covers breaks on long shifts. Short-notice requests can carry a premium. Our cost page lists typical ranges so you can tell whether a number is reasonable.
Step five: put the scope in writing
Confirm duties, post locations, reporting lines and what the guard should do in an emergency. A written scope protects both sides. It also keeps the guard from being asked to do work they are not licensed or trained for, such as restraining people.
How is a marketplace different from calling an agency?
A security company employs guards, sends you a quote after a sales conversation, and chooses who arrives. A marketplace lists independent professionals, shows each person's own rate and credentials up front, and lets you choose and message them directly. XGuard is a marketplace, not a security company: it employs no guards and holds no licenses itself. Payment is held until the job is complete. Either route can work. A company suits large, ongoing contracts that need managed supervision. A marketplace suits clients who want to compare named people and prices quickly.
A few practical tips make the process smoother. Book as early as you can, since more notice gives you more choice and often a lower rate. Give the guard a contact number that will be answered, and tell the venue or building manager who is arriving and when. Provide a short briefing on arrival: where to stand, who to call, where the exits are and what is off limits.
At the end of the first shift, ask the guard for a brief note covering when they arrived and left, what they checked and anything unusual. Comparing it with what you saw helps you decide whether to book the same person again. If the guard did well, tell them. Repeat bookings with a trusted professional are often easier to arrange and can sometimes be priced better.
Related questions
Can I hire a security guard for just one night?
Yes, if the professional accepts a short booking. Most set a minimum of a few hours, which is shown on their profile.
What should I ask a guard before hiring?
Ask for their license number, the kind of posts they have worked, how they handle an incident and whether they can meet your minimum hours.
Do I need a contract?
A written scope of duties, hours and rate is strongly advisable even for one shift. It avoids disputes about what was agreed.
How quickly can I hire someone?
That depends on who is available where you are. Booking with more notice gives you more choice and usually a lower rate.
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