Key points at a glance
- The cost of a security service depends mainly on the duration of the assignment, the time of day and day of the week, the number of staff and the requirements placed on the personnel.
- Mobile patrols that visit several properties are usually more affordable than a static guard on site.
- Combining personnel with security technology can reduce the number of staff hours.
- The private security industry is covered by a collective labour agreement (CLA) declared generally binding by the Federal Council, which sets minimum wages — and thus a floor for labour costs.
- Compare quotes by scope of services, not just by price, and question offers that are conspicuously low.
Why there is no flat rate
A security service primarily sells the working time of qualified personnel, plus planning, operational management, vehicles, equipment, insurance and availability. How much of this an assignment requires varies greatly: a single evening lock-up is something completely different from round-the-clock guarding over several months.
Reputable providers therefore only quote once they know the property, the risks and the times involved. Blanket price indications given without knowledge of the situation say very little.
The key cost factors
These factors have the greatest influence on the price of a security service:
- Duration and scope: how many hours per day, on how many days, over what period? Longer-term assignments can usually be planned more efficiently than short one-off deployments.
- Time of day, weekends and public holidays: assignments at night, at weekends or on public holidays are usually more expensive than daytime assignments on weekdays.
- Number of staff: some tasks require two people for safety reasons, such as night-time alarm responses or posts at several entrances.
- Qualifications and requirements: language skills, close protection experience, a professional appearance in a business setting or special instructions all affect the price.
- Patrols or static guarding: with mobile patrols, several clients share the travel time; with a static guard as part of property protection, the person is there exclusively for you.
- Combination with technology: alarm systems and video surveillance detect events around the clock, so personnel can be deployed in a more targeted way.
- Lead time: assignments at very short notice require more planning effort than those with sufficient lead time.
Minimum wages: the CLA for private security services
The private security industry has a collective labour agreement (CLA) that the Federal Council has declared generally binding. It applies to businesses that provide private security services and employ at least ten employees in total, and sets out minimum wages, among other things. The current Federal Council decision provides separate rates for staff employed on an hourly basis in Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft (overview from SECO, in German).
On top of wages come social security contributions, holiday and public holiday pay, training, operational management, equipment, vehicles, insurance and administration. An hourly rate that is barely above the minimum wage cannot cover these costs — an important point of reference when assessing quotes.
How to compare quotes properly
Quotes from different providers are only comparable if they describe the same service. In particular, check:
- Are the hours of cover, number of staff and tasks clearly described?
- Are surcharges for nights, weekends and public holidays shown separately or already included?
- What does an alarm response cost, and is it included in the price?
- Are reporting, operational management and availability outside office hours included?
- How long is the contract term, and what notice periods apply?
- Does the provider hold the required cantonal authorisation?
Why very cheap offers are risky
In a labour-intensive industry, conspicuously low prices can only be achieved in a few ways: lower wages, less training, no operational management, limited insurance cover or services that are not delivered in practice as quoted. In an emergency, you as the client bear the consequences — for example, if nobody can be reached when an alarm goes off or if staff are on site without having been briefed.
So ask how a provider arrives at its price, and have the services confirmed in writing. You will find further points to check in our checklist for choosing a security company.
How to obtain a reliable quote
The more precise your information, the more accurate the quote. Helpful details include the address and type of property, the required hours of cover, previous incidents, existing security technology and your expectations regarding appearance and reporting. Wingsecurity provides a quote after a needs analysis and, where appropriate, a site visit. We respond to enquiries within one working day.