Gatehouse & access control
Check access against the agreed authorisation process, maintain visitor records and direct enquiries to the nominated site contact.
Security for contractors & site managers
Construction Site SecurityAcross the UK
SIA-licensed security guards for construction sites, from gate access and patrols to overnight cover. Agree the people, hours and reporting your project needs before the first shift.
SIA-licensed officers · BS 7858 screening · 24/7 support
People screened. Scope agreed. Evidence available.
Review our credentialsA changing site needs a clear brief
Protect the boundary.
Know who is coming in.
Deliveries, subcontractors and changing access points make construction security different from guarding a finished building. An open gate during a delivery can become an unmanaged entrance; a new work area can change the patrol route overnight.
Agree which entrances need staffing, where plant and materials are stored, and what happens when the workforce leaves. The assignment should give officers a practical way to report concerns and reach the right site contact.
Construction guarding is part of USSG’s UK security and facilities services. For the wider personnel service, explore manned guarding and security officer duties.
The assignment in practice
What should your construction security guards do?
Choose duties that address your site’s risks. Record the priorities in assignment instructions so gate coverage, patrols and reporting work together.
Delivery checks
Record agreed delivery details and contact the receiving team. Traffic marshalling or banksman duties require a separately agreed, competent role.
Perimeter patrols
Check accessible boundaries, gates and agreed areas for signs of interference. Report damaged fencing, open access points or suspicious activity.
Plant & material areas
Include designated storage compounds and equipment areas in the brief. Agree what officers observe, record and escalate; guarding cannot guarantee that theft will not occur.
Out-of-hours cover
Plan overnight, weekend or shutdown duties around the unoccupied site, including safe access, communication, welfare and any lone-working requirements.
Incident reports & handovers
Record events, actions and outstanding concerns. Hand over gate changes, expected visitors and unresolved issues so the next shift has the same information.
From enabling works to handover
Review the cover as the project changes.
Enabling works
Identify temporary entrances, neighbouring access and the initial site boundary. Confirm safe routes before patrols begin.
Main construction phase
Review subcontractor access, delivery volumes and storage areas as the footprint changes.
Fit-out & phased occupation
Separate authorised access to occupied and unfinished areas, and update contacts and key arrangements.
Shutdown or handover
Reassess the site when works pause or the client takes possession. Consider vacant property inspections where scheduled visits are appropriate.
How we arrange construction cover
Agree the work before the first shift.
Send the brief
Share the postcode, project stage, required hours, start date and a site plan where available.
Assess the site
Review access, boundaries, patrol routes, welfare and the risks that need attention with the site team.
Confirm the proposal
Agree staffing, responsibilities, charges, reporting and any contractor approval requirements.
Induct & review
Complete the site briefing and handover arrangements. Review the assignment when site conditions change.
Personnel and procurement
Credentials you can review.
Direct guarding assignments are delivered by USSG’s directly employed, SIA-licensed officers screened to BS 7858 before deployment. Confirm site induction, PPE, supervision and any contractor-specific requirements before the first shift.
USSG’s SIA Approved Contractor Scheme scope covers Security Guarding and Key Holding. Company credentials should be read within their scope; they are not a blanket approval for every specialist service.
Plan the cover and the budget
What affects construction site security costs?
The price needs to reflect the work, not just a headline hourly rate. A gate that must stay staffed and a separate patrol route may require different resources from a small, closed site.
- Staffing
- Number of entrances, simultaneous duties and supervision.
- Cover hours
- Day shifts, nights, weekends and shutdown periods.
- Conditions
- Layout, safe patrol access, welfare and communications.
- Duration
- Project programme, change process and notice arrangements.
Related services
Build a coordinated site security plan.
Some projects need more than a static officer. Agree each additional service separately, including how an alert reaches the person responsible for responding.
Fire safety staffing is a separate requirement: review waking watch and fire marshal arrangements . For other project needs, browse all USSG services .
UK construction security enquiries
Start with your site’s postcode.
USSG is based in Stockport, Greater Manchester and considers construction security enquiries across the UK. Availability, hours and deployment arrangements are confirmed for your project.
Before you book
Your construction security questions, answered.
Understand the officers, cover and practical arrangements before choosing your site security.
What does construction site security include?
An agreed assignment can include gate access control, contractor and visitor records, perimeter patrols, checks around designated plant or storage areas, and incident reporting. The duties depend on the site assessment, safe access and the hours purchased.
Are USSG construction security guards SIA licensed?
USSG’s direct security guarding assignments use directly employed, SIA-licensed officers screened to BS 7858 before deployment. Site induction, PPE and any additional competence requirements are agreed for the project.
Can you provide overnight, weekend or holiday security?
These hours can be discussed as part of your brief. Staffing, shift patterns, welfare arrangements and availability must be confirmed before cover starts. USSG provides 24/7 support; this is not a promise of immediate deployment.
Do construction site security guards need a CSCS card?
Confirm the access and competence requirements with the principal contractor. A CSCS card is not a replacement for an SIA licence or a site induction, and not every security role has the same requirements. Tell USSG about any specified cards or training before booking.
Can the same officer manage the gate and patrol the whole site?
That depends on the layout, access activity and agreed priorities. An officer cannot continuously staff a gate while patrolling elsewhere. The assessment should identify duties that overlap and whether additional cover or another arrangement is needed.
Do you provide construction CCTV or security dogs?
USSG can arrange CCTV and K9 requirements through specialist suppliers. Suitability, supplier credentials, responsibilities and availability are reviewed separately. These services are not automatically included in a manned guarding quotation.
How much does construction site security cost?
Costs depend on the number of officers, cover hours, gate activity, site size, assignment duties, project duration and any specialist services. Ask for a written proposal specifying the scope, charges and arrangements for changes.
Can security cover change during the project?
Yes, proposed changes can be reviewed as the footprint, entrances, occupancy or work programme changes. Staffing and instructions must be agreed before the revised arrangement starts.
How do I arrange construction site security?
Contact USSG with the postcode, project stage, site plan if available, required hours and proposed start date. Include any gatehouse, welfare, PPE or contractor approval requirements so the assessment and quotation can address them.
Have a requirement specific to your project? Send your site details to USSG. You can also meet the company behind your security support.