Security Rates

[Glock Fan]

You have to be licensed by the state, but you don't have to be an employee of a security company to get licensed or to work. There is nothing stopping me as an individual from working a weekend gig at a local concert on a 1099. If I get a request for something similar and want to hire someone for that gig, I should be able to pay him on a 1099.

I'll check it out, but I know a few guys who just bounce around to different jobs. Sometimes it's just cash. Sometimes the client want to issue a 1099. As long as the guards are state licensed, they are good.

I know companies here that hire "thugs", give them a black t-shirt with the word "security" stenciled in white and have them "play security" at special events, concerts, etc, then pay them CASH at the end of the night. Last time I checked, it was around $100 at the end of the night which works out to around $10 per hour. Kind of scary considering that the said "thugs" have no training, very little tact and often cause injury when ejecting people from the events or breaking up fights at the events.

I highly doubt that the people running these companies have any liability insurance. What really amazes me is that they haven't been sued yet, nor have the state regulatory agencies come around to break up their illegal operation.


gf

[rrc1962]

Wow......... bet you did not figure how in depth your answer could be....... Ok, here is the real short Operations Manager of a small security company answer. Figure out what the local Security Officer of that level will work for... not what the WANT to work for, but will work for, and mark it up by 1.5 percent to figure out your billing rate.

Liability insurance... it is not a choice, it is a necessity. Even if your client says you don't need it, you need it!I have been in the security industry for over 15 years... everything from Security Officer to Branch Manager and Director of Security for a Hedge fund, and the one thing that I learned is to never underestimate the stupidity of low pay security officers. You get what you pay for.

Now, you did mentioned insurance costs and vehicle maintenance. You need to include, training pay, vacation pay, holiday pay, uniform cost, unemployment, payroll cost, any medical insurance...... are you going to certify everyone or have them do it themselves?

Worst case is.... foot work. Walk around and find other locations that match the areas you are looking to bid. Then go up to the local security officer and play nice. Do the hey, I run a company, what do you make? I might be able to find something better for you..... or you can ask what they make and say you have a friend who is looking to get into the business.Then do the 1.5 markup and you should be in the ball park. The better the company and guard quality, the higher the mark up... (Most of the time but not all)

Thanks Oram. Do you mean 1.5% or 1.5X. IE: $10/hour to the guard would be $15/hour to the client? Assuming he is a payrolled employee, that sounds a little light considering the costs involved with payroll employees. Different story for a 1099 sub who provides all of that on his own.

I know insurance is a must. I wish it were not. I'll probably work with a local instructor and put an in-house training program together that goes a little further than the basic state certification class.

I really, REALLY don't want to hire W2 employees, but if I get long term contracts, I may not have a choice. 1099 shouldn't be a problem for short term temp jobs.

[rrc1962]

I know companies here that hire "thugs", give them a black t-shirt with the word "security" stenciled in white and have them "play security" at special events, concerts, etc, then pay them CASH at the end of the night. Last time I checked, it was around $100 at the end of the night which works out to around $10 per hour. Kind of scary considering that the said "thugs" have no training, very little tact and often cause injury when ejecting people from the events or breaking up fights at the events.

I highly doubt that the people running these companies have any liability insurance. What really amazes me is that they haven't been sued yet, nor have the state regulatory agencies come around to break up their illegal operation.


gf

That's kind of where I'd like to start, but I want to be above board with it. I want qualified people. At the bare minimum, to work legally in the business you have to be state certified, which is nothing more than a weekend class and a pretty thorough background check. That at least says the guy had some training and qualified at the range. You must qualify on any weapon you want to carry on duty.

Can you work as an independent guard in HI or do you have to work through an agency?

[Glock Fan]

That's kind of where I'd like to start, but I want to be above board with it. I want qualified people. At the bare minimum, to work legally in the business you have to be state certified, which is nothing more than a weekend class and a pretty thorough background check. That at least says the guy had some training and qualified at the range. You must qualify on any weapon you want to carry on duty.

Can you work as an independent guard in HI or do you have to work through an agency?

As far as I know, there aren't any "independent" guards here in PRHI. There are "one man agencies", but no "freelance" guards.


gf

[rrc1962]

just bringing this back to the top. Can anyone else comment on client rates for security businesses?

[Steelhorse]

After working in the industry for years........

The payroll should meet between the industry standard of 50-66%, of the direct labor and admin costs.

Obviously, the lower the percentage, the higher the profit margin.