How Much Does a Fire Risk Assessment Cost in 2026? UK Price Guide
If you’re responsible for a commercial building, a block of flats or a rented property in the UK, a fire risk assessment isn’t optional, it’s the law. But “how much does a fire risk assessment cost?” is almost always the first question, and the honest answer is: it depends enormously on the building. This guide gives you realistic 2026 price ranges, including the high end that most cost guides quietly ignore, explains what drives the price, and shows you how to make sure you’re paying for a competent assessor rather than a tick-box exercise.
Fire risk assessment cost in 2026, realistic ranges
Typical UK ranges for an assessment by a competent assessor, excluding VAT. Assessor rates run roughly £50–£120 per hour depending on whether you use a sole trader or a specialist firm, so the fee mostly reflects how long your building takes to assess and report on properly.
| Premises type | Typical cost (ex VAT) |
|---|---|
| Small office or shop | £200–£350 |
| Warehouse / industrial unit | £250–£600 |
| Residential block, common parts | £300–£800 |
| HMO (house in multiple occupation) | £350–£800 |
| School or hotel | £400–£1, 200 |
| Care home | £800–£2, 500 |
| High-rise or complex building (11m+) | £1, 500–£3, 000+ |
A word of honesty about the top end. Plenty of cost guides will tell you a care home assessment costs £450. In the real world, no competent assessor is taking on a care home, sleeping occupants, vulnerable residents, complex evacuation strategies, for that money, and if someone offers to, that’s a red flag rather than a bargain. Likewise, quotes of £3, 000 and above for high-rise residential buildings are entirely normal once the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 checks, external wall considerations and full recording requirements are factored in. The cheapest quote on a high-consequence building is usually the most expensive mistake available.
What changes the price?
- Size and layout. Bigger, multi-storey and mixed-use buildings take longer, more escape routes, fire doors and compartmentation to check.
- Whether people sleep there. Hotels, care homes, HMOs and flats need a more thorough assessment and attract a materially higher fee.
- Occupancy risk. Vulnerable occupants, elderly, children, reduced mobility, raise the level of scrutiny and the time on site.
- Building height. Buildings over 11 metres fall under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, which widens the checks required; higher-risk buildings under the Building Safety Act regime carry further duties.
- Report depth. A building with 25 findings needs far more write-up than an office with 5, and since October 2023 the full assessment must be recorded, not just a summary.
Is a fire risk assessment a legal requirement?
Yes. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the “responsible person”, usually the owner, employer or landlord, must carry out and maintain a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment for almost all non-domestic premises and the common parts of blocks of flats.
Important update: since 1 October 2023, when Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 amended the Fire Safety Order, all responsible persons must record their fire risk assessment in full. The old exemption that only required recording if you had five or more employees has been removed. Whatever the size of your business, you now need a complete written assessment on file.
What should a professional assessment look like?
A competent assessor will typically work to a recognised methodology, most commonly PAS 79-1:2020 (and PAS 79-2 for housing), and their report should identify hazards, evaluate who is at risk, prioritise findings, and give you a clear, dated action plan. If a quote can’t tell you what methodology the assessment follows, keep looking.
How to check an assessor is competent
Look for third-party verification, not self-declared expertise:
- BAFE SP205, the recognised third-party certification for organisations providing life-safety fire risk assessment. The strongest company-level signal.
- Personal registers, individual assessors can be registered on the NFRAR (the IFSM’s National Fire Risk Assessors Register), the IFE (Institution of Fire Engineers) register, or hold FRACS certification.
- Relevant experience with your building type, and professional indemnity insurance to match.
On My Safety Consultant, BAFE SP205 and NFRAR credentials shown on profiles are verified against the official registers, earned, not claimed. Compare fire risk assessors across the UK, or jump to your area, London, Manchester, Birmingham, and contact assessors directly, free, with no middleman.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fire risk assessment cost for a small business?
For a small office or shop, expect roughly £200–£350 plus VAT for a competent single-visit assessment and full written report.
Why are care home and high-rise assessments so much more expensive?
Sleeping and vulnerable occupants, complex evacuation strategies and the post-2022 regulatory regime mean far more time on site and in the report. Care homes typically run £800–£2, 500 and high-rise buildings £1, 500–£3, 000+, suspiciously cheap quotes on these buildings are a warning sign.
How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?
Review it regularly and whenever something significant changes, building work, a change of use, new occupants, or after a fire. Many responsible persons review annually and commission a fresh assessment every few years, sooner for higher-risk premises.
Do I legally need to write it down?
Yes. Since October 2023 every responsible person must record the full fire risk assessment, regardless of how many people they employ.
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