How much does a bodyguard cost in London?

Clients often ask what a professional bodyguard costs in London. While every assignment is scoped individually, daily rates generally range from £500 to £1,000+ for SIA-licensed close protection. That band covers most solo-officer and small-team deployments; complex or high-tempo programmes sit toward the upper end or above it.

Understanding what sits inside the quote — and what does not — helps private clients, family offices, and corporate travel desks budget with fewer surprises.

Typical London rate bands

As a planning guide (not a fixed tariff):

• Solo close protection officer — often toward the lower-to-mid part of the £500–£1,000+ band for standard daytime cover in Greater London.
• Officer plus protective driver — usually higher, because you are funding two specialised roles and tighter logistics.
• Multi-officer teams — scale with headcount, shift patterns, and whether overnight residential cover is included.
• Short-notice or high-visibility days — may attract a premium when diaries compress or threat context rises.

Multi-day retainers and recurring programmes can be more efficient than a series of one-off bookings, because advances, team familiarity, and travel can be amortised across the engagement.

What influences the rate

Several factors determine cost:

• Risk profile — higher threat, contentious public appearances, or elevated media interest usually requires more experienced officers or larger teams.
• Team size — a solo officer differs from a two- or three-person team with a protective driver and relief for long days.
• Duration — multi-day or retainer programmes can reduce the effective daily rate versus fragmented short-notice cover.
• Specialist requirements — female close protection, residential night cover, multilingual officers, or secure transport packages change the mix.
• Geography — Greater London deployments differ from Home Counties estates or UK-wide travel days with longer driver hours.
• Notice period — urgent deployments may attract premium scheduling when diaries and vetted officers are already committed.

Close protection vs residential cover

Close protection for a principal moving through London is priced differently from static residential security. Estate cover may involve longer shifts and rotation patterns; VIP accompaniment often concentrates cost into intensive daytime windows with advance work, venue liaison, and departure choreography.

A useful way to think about it:

• Mobile close protection — cost follows the principal’s day: advances, movements, venues, and contingencies.
• Residential security — cost follows the property’s footprint: access points, night cover, visitor protocols, and whether the household needs a visible or low-profile presence.
• Hybrid programmes — common when a family needs estate cover while the principal travels with a dedicated officer.

What is usually included

A professional quotation should make inclusions explicit. Typical elements include SIA-licensed officers, pre-deployment briefing, communications during the assignment, and basic advance planning for known venues. Vehicle hire, specialist equipment, accommodation for multi-day away programmes, and third-party venue fees are often separate line items.

Ask whether overtime, early starts, or extended finishes are billed differently, and how travel time outside Greater London is treated.

How to budget without over- or under-scoping

1. List who needs cover (principal only, family, visiting executives).
2. Map the itinerary at a high level (residences, offices, events, airports).
3. Note any known concerns (media interest, prior incidents, contentious meetings).
4. Decide whether gender-matched or multilingual officers are preferred.
5. Share timing constraints early — short notice changes the available team.

The most reliable way to budget is a confidential briefing: itinerary, locations, who needs cover, and any known concerns. We respond with a clear recommendation and quotation rather than a one-size public price list.

Red flags when comparing quotes

Be cautious of prices that sit far below market norms without a clear explanation, providers who cannot confirm current SIA Close Protection licensing, or vague “security packages” that do not distinguish close protection from general door supervision. Professional cover should feel specific to your risk and diary — not generic.

Contact London Bodyguards for a tailored quotation — we respond quickly and discreetly. You can also review our pricing guidance and close protection service.