How long do recruiting guarantees last?
The typical published placement guarantee is 3 months. Of 2,228 U.S. direct-hire recruiting firms in the 123RFP Q4 2026 study, 335 (15.0%) publish a guarantee, and 214 state a length clear enough to measure.
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| Published guarantee length | Share of firms that state one |
|---|---|
| 3 months or less | 73.4% |
| More than 3, under 6 months | 5.1% |
| 6 months or more | 21.5% |
The market splits in two. Nearly three in four firms stop at 3 months, while about one in five offers six months or more. Published lengths run from 48 hours to five years.
Another 109 firms say they offer a guarantee but don’t say how long it lasts.
What happens if the hire leaves
Of the 269 firms that say what their guarantee provides:
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| Remedy | Share |
|---|---|
| Free replacement | 80.3% |
| A mix of options | 11.2% |
| Refund | 4.8% |
| Pro-rated refund | 3.0% |
| Credit toward a future search | 0.7% |
What to check in any guarantee
- Is it full value for the whole period? Some guarantees shrink month by month. A “6-month guarantee” that’s pro-rated may cover very little by month four.
- Does a replacement cost anything? If the firm charges again to find the replacement, it’s not really a guarantee. It’s an upsell.
- What voids it? Late payment, a change in the role, or the hire leaving “for cause” are common exclusions.
- When does the clock start? On the offer, the start date, or the invoice date?
Placements that lasted
Browse 2,200+ placements →Questions about guarantees
What is a typical recruiting guarantee?
The typical published guarantee is 3 months.
What does the #twiceasnice guarantee cover?
Any departure within 18 months, for any reason: resignation or termination.
Is it a refund or a replacement?
A 100% free replacement, available until the last day of the 18 months.
Does a longer guarantee cost more?
Not with us. Every placement carries the 18-month guarantee, with no add-on fee.
Which recruiting firms offer guarantees longer than 90 days?
About one in four firms that publish a length go beyond 3 months. #twiceasnice offers 18 months on every direct placement, with no add-on fee.
Our guarantee lasts 18 months, six times the typical published length. If a hire leaves or is fired for any reason within those 18 months, we replace them at no cost, up to the last day, and with the same team and effort as the first search. No sliding scale, no second fee. The details are in our public client agreement.
Data: 123RFP Recruiting Firm Transparency, Fees and Guarantees Study, Q4 2026. 123RFP is operated by beep! Directed, the company behind #twiceasnice Recruiting.
Related: How transparent are recruiting firms? → What do recruiting firms charge? →