What affects the cost of a fire risk assessment?

Fire risk assessment prices vary widely, and the cheapest quote is rarely the best value. The price should reflect the time a competent assessor needs on site and at the desk to produce an assessment that is genuinely suitable and sufficient for your building.

What drives the price

• Size and complexity: more floors, more rooms and more escape routes take longer to inspect.
• Building use: sleeping risk, vulnerable occupants and mixed uses need more detailed assessment.
• Type of assessment for flats: a Type 1 common-parts assessment takes far less time than a Type 3 or Type 4 assessment that includes entry to flats or destructive inspection.
• Number of flat entrance doors to sample: since the Fire Safety Act 2021, assessments for blocks of flats must consider flat entrance doors.
• External walls: assessors must consider the external walls, and where they need a specialist appraisal, that is a separate cost.
• Access: roofs, risers and plant rooms that need keys, escorts or specialist access add time.
• Travel and location.
• Review or new assessment: reviewing an existing, good-quality assessment is usually cheaper than starting from scratch.

What you should get for the money

• A site inspection, not a desk exercise.
• A written assessment specific to your building, with photographs.
• A prioritised action plan with timescales.
• The assessor's name and competence details.
• A recommended review date.

Comparing quotes

Ask each assessor:

1. What type of assessment are you quoting for?
2. How long will you be on site?
3. Will you inspect flat entrance doors, and how many?
4. Does the price include a written action plan and a follow-up visit?
5. What register or certification do you hold?

Getting a fixed price

We quote fixed prices based on the building's size, use and the type of assessment needed. Tell us the number of floors, the number of flats or rooms, and the use, and we will confirm the price before booking.