Pre-employment screening
How much does pre-employment screening cost?
Recruiting the wrong person is expensive. Wasted time, lost productivity, and compliance risks can all hit hard. That’s why pre-employment screening isn’t just a process, it’s a smart investment.
So, what’s the actual cost? That depends. Do you go the slow, manual route, drowning in paperwork? Or do you invest in an automated solution that saves time, cuts admin, and gives you fast, reliable results? Some businesses try to cut corners, but skipping thorough checks can lead to costly mistakes - think compliance issues, wasted salaries, and reputational damage.
In this guide, we’ll break down the costs of different screening options, show you where businesses lose money on inefficient processes, and explain why automation isn’t just a luxury, it’s a game-changer for recruiting smarter, faster, and with confidence.
Table of contents
- Introduction to pre-employment background checks
- Options for pre-employment screening software
- How much does a background check cost?
- Drawbacks of not using pre-employment screening software
- The power of automated pre-employment screening
- Are you ready to automate your recruitment screening process?
Introduction to pre-employment background checks
Pre-employment screening software is a game-changer for recruitment teams, eliminating inefficiencies, reducing admin-heavy tasks, and accelerating recruitment processes. These systems don’t just speed up background checks but provide recruiters with confidence that they’re making informed hiring decisions while cutting down on time-wasting manual processes.
Industries with stringent compliance requirements can’t afford inconsistencies in background checks. Pre-employment screening software ensures every candidate is vetted accurately and efficiently, reducing risk and maintaining regulatory standards. Without automation, recruiters are stuck in an endless loop of chasing documents, verifying credentials, and managing multiple vendors, wasting valuable time that could be spent on higher-impact tasks.
Investing in pre-employment screening isn’t just about cost, it’s about long-term savings. Automating due diligence and compliance processes cuts manual effort, mitigates recruiting risks, and safeguards clients from costly mis-hires and legal pitfalls.
Options for pre-employment screening software
When it comes to conducting background checks, recruitment agencies have several options, each with its own set of benefits and challenges:
- Manual in-house checks: A slow, error-prone approach that ties up recruiters in admin rather than revenue-generating tasks. Sifting through documents and manually verifying information wastes hours that could be spent sourcing top candidates.
- Outsourcing to a managed service provider (MSP): MSPs can relieve internal pressures, but they come at a premium cost, particularly for businesses processing a high volume of checks. Plus, businesses still have to spend time managing external providers, waiting on results, and ensuring compliance is met.
- Using multiple suppliers: Working with different providers for different checks might seem like a flexible option, but it comes with a lot of inefficiencies, added costs, and security risks.
- All-in-one automated solutions: Digital platforms like Access Screening simplify the entire process by consolidating multiple checks into one single system. These solutions remove admin bottlenecks, guarantee compliance, and cut the time it takes to screen candidates from days to minutes.
How much does a background check cost?
The cost of pre-employment screening depends on the depth of the check, processing speed, and the volume of checks required. While some businesses try to cut costs by sourcing checks individually, this approach often leads to triple the admin work and slower hiring.
For example, our Access Screening solution can perform over 140 different checks. The costs of the most common recruitment checks include:
| DBS Checks | £25 - 35 per check, depending on volume. |
| DBS Enhanced Checks | £45-65 per check. |
| IDVT Checks | 90p - £5.50 per check, based on the number requested. |
| Credit Checks | £6 - £10 per check. |
| Adverse / Social Media Checks | £10 - £100 per check. |
| Occupational Health Checks | £15 - £30 per check. |
Bundling checks into a single automated platform reduces overall costs, eliminates delays, and minimises admin workloads.
Drawbacks of not using pre-employment screening software
Foregoing a dedicated screening solution can have significant repercussions, such as:
- Missed critical information: Manual processes increase the risk of errors and oversights, leading to poor hiring decisions and potential legal issues.
- Increased admin: Recruiters shouldn’t be buried under paperwork. Every hour spent manually verifying credentials is an hour wasted that could be spent on candidate engagement and business growth.
- Higher risk: Inconsistent or incomplete checks expose businesses to legal penalties and reputational damage. Automated screening ensures every check is compliant and up to date.
- Potential for bias: The longer a role stays open, the higher the cost to the business. Automated screening accelerates the process, helping recruiters place candidates faster and with greater confidence.
At Access Screening, we provide pre-employment background checks that meet your needs.
The power of automated pre-employment screening
Investing in automated pre-employment screening software is one of the smartest ways to drive efficiency in hiring. Here’s how it can save businesses time and money:
Faster hiring decisions
Automated workflows significantly reduce screening times, cutting days off the recruitment process.
Reduced admin overheads
Automation removes the burden of repetitive, manual tasks, allowing recruiters to focus on what truly matters—building relationships and placing top talent.
Increased compliance and accuracy
Regulations change frequently. Digital solutions ensure companies stay compliant without requiring recruiters to manually track new laws.
Enhanced candidate experience
Slow background checks frustrate candidates and lead to drop-offs. Speeding up the process keeps candidates engaged and committed to your hiring pipeline.
Lower total cost of hiring
By reducing manual effort, automating compliance, and consolidating vendors, businesses cut long-term hiring costs and improve operational efficiency.
Are you ready to automate your recruitment screening process?
Access Screening is the fastest, smartest way to conduct pre-employment background checks. Ditch the manual work, cut down on hiring delays, and focus on what truly drives your business forward—placing top talent.
Make the switch to Access Screening today and experience the benefits of faster, more accurate hiring with less admin and greater cost savings.
Watch our demo video
Resources
A Guide to Evidencing the ROI from Screening Software
If you're thinking of making the switch from a manual or partially automated process to reap the benefits of an integrated screening solution, then you will likely need a documented business case to sell the advantages of screening software to your internal stakeholders.
'5 Steps to digitising your candidate compliance strategy’ eBook
A helpful guide to evolving your onboarding process and delivering a reliable compliance strategy through automation.
'The Need for Speed!’ Whitepaper: Unlocking successful candidate onboarding through digitisation
Discover Access Screening’s 2022 research in conjunction with In-House Recruitment, displaying the potential for screening opportunities.