What Security Actually Costs in Dallas — No Hidden Fees Edition
Real pricing from vetted companies. Every hidden cost exposed. Updated for 2026.
Security pricing in Dallas is intentionally confusing. Companies quote low hourly rates then bury the real costs in overtime charges, holiday premiums, administrative fees and early termination penalties. By the time you get your first invoice, you're paying 20–40% more than the number they quoted.
Here's every cost — visible and hidden — so you know exactly what you're paying before you sign anything.
Security Guard Pricing — The Full Picture
Guard Service Rates — Dallas 2026
| Service Type | Hourly Rate | Weekly (40 hrs) | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unarmed guard | $18–$30 | $720–$1,200 | $3,120–$5,200 |
| Armed guard | $25–$45 | $1,000–$1,800 | $4,333–$7,800 |
| Mobile patrol | $15–$25 | $600–$1,000 | $2,600–$4,333 |
| Event security | $22–$40 | Per event | Per event |
| Fire watch | $20–$35 | Per incident | Per incident |
| Executive protection | $75–$150 | Per engagement | Per engagement |
| 24/7 coverage (3 shifts) | $18–$45 | $3,024–$7,560 | $13,104–$32,760 |
Hidden Costs Nobody Tells You About
Overtime and holiday premiums. Most contracts charge time-and-a-half for holidays (New Year's, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas). If you need 24/7 coverage, that's 6 holidays × 24 hours × 1.5x rate. On a $25/hour contract, that's an extra $1,800/year just in holiday premiums.
Weekend premiums. Some companies charge $2–$5/hour extra for Saturday and Sunday shifts. On 16 hours of weekend coverage, that's $160–$400/month you didn't budget for.
Uniform and equipment fees. $50–$200 one-time per officer for uniforms. $100–$300 for equipment (radio, flashlight, body camera). Some companies absorb this. Others pass it through. Ask before signing.
Site setup and assessment fees. $200–$500 for the initial security assessment and post orders (written instructions for each post). Reputable companies include this in the contract. Others bill it separately.
Vehicle charges. Mobile patrol contracts may add $5–$15/hour for the patrol vehicle on top of the officer's rate. A $20/hour patrol quote can become $30–$35/hour once the vehicle fee is added.
Administrative fees. 3–8% of total contract value. Some companies add this as a line item. Others build it into the hourly rate. Either way, you're paying it — the question is whether they're transparent about it.
Early termination penalties. 1–3 months of billing if you cancel before the contract term ends. On a $5,000/month contract, that's $5,000–$15,000 to walk away. Negotiate this down or insist on a 30-day out clause.
Insurance requirements. Some security companies require you to add them as an additional insured on your commercial property policy. This may increase your premium slightly. Factor it in.
Security Camera System Pricing
| System | Equipment + Install | Monthly (cloud) |
|---|---|---|
| 4-camera system | $1,500–$4,000 | $40–$200 |
| 8-camera system | $3,000–$8,000 | $80–$400 |
| 16-camera system | $6,000–$15,000 | $160–$800 |
| 32+ camera enterprise | $12,000–$25,000+ | $320–$1,600+ |
| Access control (per door) | $1,000–$3,000 | $15–$50 |
| Alarm system (commercial) | $500–$3,000 | $30–$100 |
How to Reduce Security Costs Without Reducing Protection
Cameras + part-time guards beats 24/7 guards alone. A $5,000 camera system plus 40 hours/week of guard coverage ($3,500/month) provides better overall protection than 168 hours/week of guards alone ($13,000+/month). Cameras watch when guards aren't there. Guards respond when cameras spot something.
Mobile patrol for low-risk hours. Full-time stationary guards during business hours, mobile patrol at night. Patrol costs $15–$25/hour versus $18–$30 for stationary guards, and the marked vehicle provides visible deterrent across a wider area.
Access control reduces guard needs. Keycard or fob systems on entry points reduce the number of doors that need human monitoring. A $3,000 access control system on 3 doors might eliminate the need for one guard post — saving $3,000+/month in labor costs.
Negotiate annual contracts. 10–15% discount for annual commitment versus month-to-month. On a $5,000/month contract, that's $500–$750/month or $6,000–$9,000/year in savings.
Share patrol costs with neighbors. If your business is in a commercial park or strip center, split mobile patrol costs with neighboring businesses. A $2,000/month patrol contract split four ways is $500/month each.
Insurance premium reductions. Professional security can reduce commercial property insurance premiums by 5–15%. On a $50,000/year premium, that's $2,500–$7,500/year back in your pocket. Ask your insurance provider what security measures qualify for discounts.
The ROI of Security Investment
Security isn't just a cost — it's a financial decision with measurable returns.
Theft prevention. The average commercial burglary in Texas causes $8,000–$15,000 in losses and property damage. A $5,000 camera system pays for itself by preventing a single incident. Construction site equipment theft averages $30,000+ per incident — a $7,000/month guard contract for a 6-month project ($42,000) is cheap compared to losing a $200,000 excavator.
Insurance savings. 5–15% premium reduction for professional security measures. This alone can offset $200–$500/month in security costs for many businesses.
Employee theft reduction. Visible security (cameras and guards) reduces internal theft by 30–50%. Employee theft costs U.S. businesses $50 billion annually. For a business with $1 million in revenue, even a 1% reduction in shrinkage is $10,000/year.
Liability reduction. Documented security measures reduce your exposure in slip-and-fall lawsuits, workplace violence claims, and premises liability cases. Camera footage that proves you're not at fault is worth its weight in legal fees.
Tenant retention. For commercial property owners, security is a differentiator. Properties with professional security have 15–25% higher tenant retention rates and can command higher lease rates.
Hiring Directly vs Security Company — Real Cost Comparison
Some businesses consider hiring guards as direct employees to save money. Here's why it almost never works out cheaper:
A $15/hour direct hire actually costs $22–$28/hour when you add payroll taxes (7.65% FICA), workers' comp insurance ($3–$8 per $100 of payroll for security work), unemployment insurance, training costs, uniform and equipment, scheduling and management overhead, and benefits.
A security company billing $22–$30/hour handles all of that. They absorb workers' comp, training, uniforms, scheduling, supervision, backup staffing, insurance and liability. The hourly rate is higher, but the total cost of ownership is lower.
Direct hiring only makes sense if you need 10+ guards and can afford a dedicated security manager. For 1–5 guard positions, contracting through a security company is almost always more cost-effective.
Pricing Questions
What are the hidden costs of hiring a security company?
Overtime/holiday premiums (1.5x rate), weekend surcharges ($2–$5/hr extra), uniform fees ($50–$200), site setup ($200–$500), vehicle charges for patrol ($5–$15/hr), administrative fees (3–8%), and early termination penalties (1–3 months billing). Ask for a complete fee schedule before signing.
Is it cheaper to hire guards directly?
Rarely. A $15/hour direct hire costs $22–$28/hour fully loaded with taxes, insurance, training and equipment. Security companies at $22–$30/hour handle everything. Direct hire only makes sense at 10+ guards with a dedicated security manager.
How can I reduce costs without reducing protection?
Cameras + part-time guards instead of 24/7 guards. Mobile patrol for low-risk hours. Access control to reduce monitored doors. Annual contracts for 10–15% savings. Share patrol costs with neighboring businesses. Claim insurance premium reductions.
What's the ROI on security?
Average Texas commercial burglary: $8,000–$15,000. One prevented incident pays for a $5,000 camera system. Insurance savings of 5–15% offset $200–$500/month in costs. Internal theft reduction of 30–50% with visible security. The math works.
Do annual contracts save money?
Yes — 10–15% over month-to-month. On a $5,000/month contract, that's $6,000–$9,000/year saved. Make sure the company is reliable before committing. Negotiate a 30-day out clause in case of poor performance.
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