The true cost of low-bid guarding contracts
The direct relationship between sub-statutory guard wages and the operational liability facilities managers end up carrying.
Why the lowest quote isn't the cheapest option
When reviewing guarding tenders, facilities managers are often tempted to select the lowest bidder. Security guard wages in South Africa are regulated under Sectoral Determination 6 (SD6). When a provider bids below this statutory threshold, they are either underpaying their personnel or cutting training and supervisor support to make the numbers work.
What sub-SD6 pricing actually produces
The direct consequence is elevated guard turnover, absenteeism, and unsupervised drift — officers who are underpaid and under-trained have less reason to stay, and less capacity to do the job properly. The client inherits that as elevated breach risk, inconsistent coverage, and reduced ability to hold a provider accountable when something goes wrong on site.
What compliant pricing looks like instead
Interceptor operates on a strict compliance-first basis. All personnel are compensated at or above the SD6 threshold, which is non-negotiable and forms part of our operating model. In practice, this attracts more disciplined officers who are motivated to stay — which means facilities managers get experienced teams who know their site's specific access points and risk profile, rather than a rotating cast of unfamiliar faces.
What to ask a provider before signing
Ask directly whether quoted rates meet or exceed SD6. Ask about guard retention — a provider with high turnover is telling you something about how they treat their own people, and by extension, how reliably they'll staff your site. A quote that looks too good against the SD6 floor usually is.
Get a costed, SD6-compliant guarding proposal.
PSIRA Registration No. 4509059. We provide a full site assessment and costed proposal at no charge.