How to Start a Security Guard Company | TRUiC (2024)

Start a security guard company by following these 10 steps:

1. Plan your Security Guard Company
2. Form your Security Guard Company into a Legal Entity
3. Register your Security Guard Company for Taxes
4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
5. Set up Accounting for your Security Guard Company
6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Security Guard Company
7. Get Security Guard Company Insurance
8. Define your Security Guard Company Brand
9. Create your Security Guard Company Website
10. Set up your Business Phone System

There is more to starting a business than just registering it with the state. We have put together this simple guide to starting your security guard company. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?
• How much can you charge customers?
• What will you name your business?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What are the costs involved in opening a security guard company?

Costs for starting a security guard business are minimal. The largest cost is insurance, which can be up to $3,000 for a 6-month term. Legal and regulatory costs will run about $500. The cost for basic equipment and uniforms varies. If guards have their own firearms or force equipment, then the cost will be minimal. If not, they can range from just a couple hundred dollars for a used handgun to several thousand dollars.

Uniforms will run about $100 per guard or officer.

Some local and state laws require security companies to maintain an office. Minimize these costs by using shared-space small offices. A shared office will cost several hundred dollars per month, depending on where you live. Dedicated offices can run several thousand per month.

This is a business where having a large office isn’t important. Only get as much office space as you absolutely need.

Marketing materials for the new business will likely run $1,000 to $2,000.

Websites are another cost you should consider. They will run you between $300 and $500 for a basic website. Hosting should cost no more than $100 per year. In many cases, you can find hosting for much less.

What are the ongoing expenses for a security guard company?

Normal ongoing expenses for this business are minimal. Mostly, you’re paying for insurance, an office, a security team’s salary (and related expenses).

Who is the target market?

Security companies typically work with wealthier clients who have valuable property to protect. These clients are usually businesses that guard valuable information, tangible items, or individuals within their premises.

On rare occasions, a company might be hired to protect an individual, like a local or national celebrity, a political figure, or CEO of a large company.

How does a security guard company make money?

Most security companies charge clients an hourly rate or flat fee for services. Larger security guard companies have corporate or commercial clients. The ideal client is one who signs a multi-year service contract. However, when you’re just starting out, these types of clients are hard to get.

How much can you charge customers?

Security guard companies tend to have a range of prices, depending on the services they’re offering. For unarmed security, you can charge between $10 and $25 per hour. For armed security, you can charge from $35, up to even $100, if it’s a special or high-risk event.

However, this is not the only way to charge clients. Security contracts, including both short and long-term contracts, can fetch a much higher total fee for services. Some companies will charge “by the job,” in which case the company is charging a contract fee. These fees can amount to several thousand dollars per contract.

In some cases, a client pays monthly, semi-annually, or annually for services and renews the contract for many years. This is an ideal scenario, and produces stable long-term income for the business.

Per-contract fees are usually reserved for established clients, however.

Another factor affecting what you can charge clients is the number of security personnel on-site for a job. Most companies charge more if there are more guards on-site.

How much profit can a security guard company make?

Security companies can generate approximately $40,000-$60,000 per security guard, per year. If you hire a team of 5 security guards at startup, then you may be able to clear $300,000 in revenue. Net profits vary based on your insurance costs, labor costs, and regulatory costs in your state.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Most security businesses could benefit from specialization and charging higher prices. Closing higher-paying clients will also bring in more money.

For example, instead of offering generic security services to a local business, try specializing in bodyguard services, mall services, or catered event services for politicians. If your company becomes known for providing security for high-profile clients, you’ll have very little competition.

Also, a security guard typically has all the skills necessary to provide bodyguard services as well. However, the term “bodyguard” typically connotes a larger, muscular person who is capable of intimidating potential threats to the client’s person. If you feel as though you can provide these services--which typically involve protection of individual people--this is an effective way to increase clientele.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Security Guard Company Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability.

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation.

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your security guard company is sued.

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

Learn how to get an EIN in our What is an EIN guide or find your existing EIN using our EIN lookup guide.

Small Business Taxes

Depending on which business structure you choose, you might have different options for how your business will be taxed. For example, some LLCs could benefit from being taxed as an S corporation (S corp).

You can learn more about small business taxes in these guides:

• LLC Taxes
• Sole Proprietorship vs LLC
• LLC vs Corporation
• LLC vs S Corp
• How to Start an S Corp
• S Corp vs C Corp

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Additionally, learning how to build business credit can help you get credit cards and other financing in your business's name (instead of yours), better interest rates, higher lines of credit, and more.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Open net 30 accounts

Net 30 accounts are used to establish and build business credit as well as increase business cash flow. With a net 30 account, businesses buy goods and repay the full balance within a 30-day term.

NetMany net 30 credit vendors report to the major business credit bureaus (Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business Credit). This is how businesses build business credit so they can qualify for credit cards and other lines of credit.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

In most states, it is necessary to obtain a license to work as a security guard. Certain other state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a security guard business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

In addition, certain local licensing or regulatory requirements may apply. For more information about local licenses and permits:

• Check with your town, city or county clerk’s office
• Get assistance from one of the local associations listed in US Small Business Associations directory of local business resources

Service Contract

Security guard businesses should require clients to sign a service agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, and service level expectations.

Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional service agreement for your security guard business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.

Certificate of Occupancy

A security guard business typically features an office from which clerical operations are carried out. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

• If you plan to lease a location:
• It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
• Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a security guard business.
• After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.

• If you plan to purchase or build a location:
• You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
• Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your security guard business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

Miscellaneous Considerations

Here is a list of relevant considerations when starting a security guard service from Cornell University Law School’s website.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Learn more about General Liability Insurance.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners, we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a security guard company

Many security companies rely on direct mail, social media, and referrals for business. Contact your local mailing list broker and ask about lists of businesses that have hired security companies in the past. Mail these companies with your offer. You can also try sending out fliers and handing out business cards to local companies.

How to keep customers coming back

Specialization is a great way to stand out from the crowd. How many companies do special events in your area? If you’re the only one, then you’ll get all the business in that niche.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

• All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
• Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
• Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Using our website building guides, the process will be simple and painless and shouldn’t take you any longer than 2-3 hours to complete.

Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

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