Fire Watch Security Cost Per Hour
Breaking Down Fire Watch Security Cost Per Hour
If your sprinkler system goes dark the first question you ask is how much does fire watch security cost per hour. The short answer is anywhere from $40 to $100 per hour depending on city risk level and how fast you need a body on site. Emergency calls after 8 p.m. usually sit at the top of that range while scheduled daytime watch can dip below $50. Keep reading and we will show you why the cheapest quote often ends up the most expensive line item on your ledger.
What Moves the Hourly Rate Up or Down
Metro areas like NYC or LA add $15 to $25 per hour because parking tolls and higher wages eat into margins. High hazard sites such as chemical plants or high rise construction push the rate toward $90 since guards need extra certs. On the flip side a small retail shop during a planned 4 hour panel swap can lock in a $45 rate because the risk is low and the schedule is flexible.
Hidden Fees That Surprise First Time Buyers
Some companies quote $35 an hour then tack on a $80 dispatch fee a $25 GPS log fee and even a fuel surcharge. Before you sign ask for an all in rate that covers equipment insurance and digital reporting. Our invoices show one number so clients are not stuck decoding line items at 3 a.m.
Flat Day Rate vs Hourly Meter
If your outage will run more than 8 hours consider a flat day rate. We offer 12 hour blocks that average $500 to $900 and include a second guard for seamless coverage. And because the clock is not running every minute most project managers save 15 % to 20 % versus straight hourly billing.
Real Sample Invoices From Last Quarter
A 6 story hotel in Dallas paid $520 for a 10 hour planned watch while a Chicago high rise paid $1 200 for a 24 hour emergency shift that started at midnight. Both stayed compliant and both invoices were less than the city fines would have been. The math is simple one day of fire watch beats one hour of violation penalties.
How to Lock In the Best Price Fast
Book early schedule daytime shifts and bundle multiple sites. We also price match any licensed competitor within 5 % so you never overpay for peace of mind.
Checklist to Control Your Budget
- Ask for all in hourly rate with zero add ons
- Request flat day rate if outage exceeds 8 hours
- Schedule during business hours when possible
- Bundle multiple properties for volume discount
- Verify insurance certs to avoid hidden liability



