How Much Does a Fire Risk Assessment Cost?

As a broad guide, a straightforward Type 1 assessment of the common parts of a small commercial premises usually costs between £300 and £600. A larger or higher-risk building, such as a multi-occupied residential block requiring a Type 3 or Type 4 assessment, typically starts at around £1,500 and rises with the size and complexity of the building.

Specialist work sits well above these figures. A fire risk appraisal of external walls (FRAEW) carried out under PAS 9980, the assessment that became common after the Grenfell Tower fire, can exceed £10,000 on a tall building with complex cladding, because it often involves intrusive investigation and structural engineering input.

These are indicative ranges rather than fixed prices. Always ask for a written scope and the intended assessment type before you commit, so you can compare quotes on a like for like basis rather than on headline price alone.

Three factors do most of the work. The first is building size and layout, because a competent assessor prices on the time needed to inspect every relevant area. The second is the assessment type, which ranges from a non-destructive look at the common parts (Type 1) through to intrusive sampling of compartmentation in both common parts and individual flats (Type 4). The third is risk, because a care home, an HMO, or a building with known cladding concerns needs more competence and more time than a low-risk office.

Beware of quotes that look unusually cheap. A fire risk assessment that takes a competent person an hour to produce for a building that needs a day is not a bargain, it is a liability. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 the assessment must be suitable and sufficient, and an inadequate one offers no protection if there is a fire or an inspection by the fire and rescue service.

Start by confirming what your building actually requires. The assessment type should follow from the building, not from the cheapest quote. If you are unsure, a reputable assessor will tell you which type applies and why before quoting.

Look for recognised third-party certification. BAFE SP205 registration is the most widely recognised scheme for fire risk assessors in the UK, and membership of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) or the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM) is a further signal of competence. Many insurers and public-sector clients now treat these as a procurement requirement rather than a nice to have.