On the ground
Seattle · Construction Site Security.
Cranes and new frames are rising across South Lake Union and the waterfront in Seattle. Long winter nights and steady rain leave half-built sites dark for hours, which is when unwatched equipment walks away.
Under Chapter 18.170 RCW, security companies must hold a private security company license from the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL). Every guard needs a DOL private security guard license: at least 8 hours of pre-assignment training and a passed DOL exam before working, post-assignment training after licensing, and 8 hours of refresher training every year. A temporary card allows unarmed work only. Armed guards need an armed endorsement, which requires a firearms certificate from the Criminal Justice Training Commission (an 8-hour firearms class plus qualification, renewed every year); a Concealed Pistol License does not replace it. Check licenses through DOL before service begins.
On post, every shift
Common duties for this kind of property. Your post orders decide exactly what officers do at your site.
Perimeter walks
Checking fencing, gates and locks on a set route and noting any gap before it becomes a way in.
Delivery gate
Signing materials in and out so the paperwork matches what actually arrived.
Equipment watch
Keeping eyes on lifts, generators and tool containers after the last crew leaves.
Lighting checks
Reporting dead site lights quickly, because darkness invites trespassers.
Weather rounds
Looking for wind-loosened fencing, flooding and tarps that have blown open.
Shift handover
Passing a written note to the site lead each morning about anything seen overnight.
Picking the right level of coverage
Dusk-to-dawn posts cover the hours the site is empty. Weekend coverage protects long breaks. Mobile checks suit smaller sites that only need a few visits a night.
Put these in your request
- Site address and every gate location
- Hours the site is empty
- Where equipment and containers are parked
- Who may enter after hours
- Lighting and camera layout
- How you want incidents reported
Planning a budget in Seattle
Your quote depends on the site, the hours and the duties. Use these starting rates to plan before proposals come in.
| Service | Starting at | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unarmed officer | From $25 an hour | Standing posts, access control, patrols |
| Armed officer | From $32 an hour | Guards with an armed license and firearms certification |
| Event security | From $30 an hour per officer | Often with a minimum of about 4 hours per officer |
| Personal protection | From $70 an hour | Protection agents from DOL-licensed companies |
| Fire watch | From $25 an hour | Patrols while fire systems are out of service |
| Mobile patrol | Priced per visit | Depends on visits per night and drive time |
Starting rates. Billing rates cover the officer’s pay plus payroll taxes, insurance, licensing, supervision and company overhead. Your price depends on your site, schedule and duties, and comes from the provider’s written proposal.
Planning hours
One post staffed around the clock needs about 730 officer hours a month. An 8-hour overnight shift every night is about 243 hours. Multiply hours by the hourly rates in each proposal to compare them fairly.
What changes the price
Armed or unarmed
Armed posts cost more because of licensing, training and insurance.
Hours and schedule
Overnight, weekend and holiday hours, and 24/7 coverage, raise the total. One 24/7 post needs about 730 officer hours a month.
Number of posts
Each additional post or patrol adds officer hours, and large sites may need a supervisor.
Contract length
Ongoing contracts are usually priced lower per hour than one-day or short-notice coverage.
Duties and risk
Specialized duties, high-value goods or busy public sites can raise the rate.
What’s included
Supervision, reporting software, vehicles and equipment may be included or billed separately.
Before you sign
Vetting a guard company.
A license, insurance and good supervision matter as much as the hourly rate. Check these with every provider you consider.
- LicenseDOL lookup · company licenseActive
- OfficersDOL guard license · annual refresherConfirmed
- InsuranceGeneral liability · Additional insured: GCOn file
- References2 construction site clients near SODO and the stadiumsCalled
- SupervisionSupervisor visits every 4 hrs · 6 PM–6 AMAgreed
- In writingProposal covers: hours the site is empty · where equipment and containers are parkedSigned
- 1
Check the company license
Look up the company’s Washington DOL private security guard company license and match its legal name and status.
- 2
Check guard licenses
Ask for each guard’s DOL security guard license and training record (8 hours before work, 8 hours of refresher every year). For armed posts, confirm the armed endorsement and a current CJTC firearms certificate.
- 3
Ask for a certificate of insurance
Request proof of general liability and workers’ compensation coverage, and ask whether you can be named as an additional insured.
- 4
Ask for references
Talk to clients with similar properties, and ask how long they have used the company.
- 5
Ask about supervision
Find out who checks on officers, how often, and who you call at 2 a.m. when something goes wrong.
- 6
Get it in writing
Make sure the proposal covers post orders, staffing, rates for holidays and overtime, how absences are covered, reporting, and how to end the contract.
Ask for construction site security proposals
Tell us about your site and when you need coverage. Guardix helps connect your request with security companies that can serve Seattle. Each company confirms its own availability, pricing and terms.
Questions about Construction Site Security
Is one guard enough for a large site?
It depends on the fence length and how many gates there are. Ask providers how often each side gets walked.
Can a guard check deliveries too?
Yes. Many sites have the guard log trucks and match drivers to the day’s schedule.
What happens if the guard finds a break-in?
They should call the contacts you list, call emergency services when needed and write a report before the shift ends.
Do I need coverage during work hours?
Usually not, but some busy sites add a gate officer while crews are working.
Can patrols replace a standing guard?
For small sites, often yes. Large sites with valuable equipment usually need someone on site all night.
How fast can coverage start?
Ask each provider for their earliest start date and what they need from you first.
Other services in Seattle
Next step
Ready to cover your Seattle job site?
Send one short request. Guardix passes it to DOL-licensed security companies, and each one replies with a written proposal.
- RequestZIP, service, start date
- MatchedLicensed providers
- ProposalPrice and terms in writing
Guardix helps connect quote requests with potential security providers. The selected provider delivers the agreed security service. Availability, qualifications, pricing, reporting features, and service terms must be confirmed for the actual assignment.