How to hire a watchman: construction site, night shifts, accommodation
A watchman guards property, not entry
A watchman keeps an eye on a compound, a building or a construction site during hours when nobody else is there. The main task is to notice a problem in time: a stranger on the premises, an open door, a water leak, a fire. So this job needs responsibility, alertness and a habit of staying watchful, not physical strength.
Describe the site and what exactly needs guarding: a construction site with materials, a warehouse, a farmhouse, a resort. This helps the candidate see whether they are comfortable with this responsibility.
On a construction site, the weather is a real factor: heavy rain, summer heat and the distance from transport. Describe where the watchman will rest, and whether there is a site cabin, a toilet, drinking water and electricity. The more of these details you give, the clearer it is to the person what they are agreeing to.
What to put in the request
- Site — construction site, warehouse, farm, house;
- Pay — per shift, per 24 hours or per month;
- Location — city, area, whether it is far from transport;
- Shifts — night shifts, 24 hours on and three days off;
- Duties — night rounds, CCTV, receiving deliveries, keeping the log;
- Terms — written appointment or not;
- Accommodation — whether the person can stay on site;
- Requirements — age, experience, whether a retired person is fine.
Example: “Durban, construction site. Watchman needed for night shifts, 24 hours on and three days off: night rounds, CCTV. Pay R 99 per shift, written appointment, accommodation on site. A retired person is fine, a sense of responsibility is a must.”
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
Create a request on the home page in your own words. The site checks it and suggests what to add. Watchmen from your area reply in the chat, writing about their experience and the terms that suit them. You choose the best one, and only that person gets your contacts. More details on the How it works page.
What to look for
Ask whether the candidate is ready to work at night and alone, whether they have any health problems and whether they have done similar work. If accommodation is on site, clarify the conditions: electricity, water, whether visitors are allowed. It is better to talk through all of this honestly.
Agree on what to do in an emergency: whom to call, what the person can do on their own, and whether a torch and a phone are provided. State clearly whether the watchman is responsible for missing property and under what conditions. It is better to put these points in writing.
If a dog on site or a heater is allowed, be sure to say so in the request.
If you are looking for work as a watchman
Register on BlaBlaPrice as a service provider, choose the category and your city, and job requests will start coming in. Write about your experience, the shifts you prefer and whether you need accommodation. There are also jobs for a security guard.
