Fire risk assessment cost UK — what to expect
How much a fire risk assessment costs in the UK, what affects the price, what the assessment should include, and how to find a competent assessor — current 2026 guidance.
A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for most non-domestic premises under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The cost varies considerably depending on the size and complexity of the premises — but choosing solely on price is a false economy. A cheap assessment that misidentifies the required fire alarm category or misses a significant hazard can create far greater costs down the line.
Fire Risk Assessment Costs in the UK — 2026
Fire risk assessment fees in the UK are not regulated — assessors set their own prices, and costs vary significantly by region, assessor experience, and premises complexity. The following figures represent typical market rates for a written fire risk assessment:
| Premises type | Typical cost range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small office or retail unit (under 200m²) | £150–£350 | Simple layout, single occupier, low complexity — some assessors offer fixed-price packages for standard small commercial premises |
| Medium commercial premises (200–1,000m²) | £300–£700 | Multi-room layout, may involve consultation with tenants or building manager; higher end if multi-storey |
| Large commercial building (1,000–5,000m²) | £600–£1,500 | Complex layout, multiple fire compartments, potentially multiple responsible persons — cost increases with number of floors and complexity |
| HMO (houses in multiple occupation) | £200–£500 | Licensing often requires a written assessment; cost depends on number of bedrooms and floors |
| Hotel or care home | £500–£2,000+ | Higher-risk occupancy, complex evacuation considerations, sleeping risk — more detailed assessment required |
| Industrial or warehouse premises | £400–£1,200 | Storage hazards, process fire risks, and large floor areas increase complexity and time on site |
Prices in London and the South East typically run 20–40% higher than the national figures above. Assessments for very complex premises — hospitals, large multi-tenanted office buildings, heritage sites — can exceed £3,000 and may require a specialist assessor.
What affects the price
Factors That Affect Assessment Cost
The main variables driving assessment cost are the size of the premises, the complexity of the occupancy and use, the number of floors and compartments, the assessor’s qualifications and experience, and the level of detail required in the written report. Additional factors include:
- Travel costs — assessors outside your area may charge travel time and mileage on top of the assessment fee
- Review and update assessments — a review of an existing assessment is typically less expensive than a full initial assessment; expect 60–80% of the initial cost
- Urgency — same-day or next-day assessments attract a premium, sometimes 50% or more above standard rates
- Third-party accreditation — assessors holding accreditation from the IFSM, IFE, or FPA tend to charge more but provide greater assurance of quality
- Specialist hazards — premises with DSEAR (dangerous substances), ATEX classified areas, or complex process risks require specialist assessment and attract higher fees
What the assessment must include
What a Compliant Fire Risk Assessment Contains
Under the Fire Safety Order, the assessment must be suitable and sufficient. A written assessment for premises with five or more employees (or for most HMOs) must cover:
- Identification of fire hazards — ignition sources, fuel sources, and oxygen sources
- Identification of people at risk — occupants, visitors, and any persons particularly at risk
- Evaluation of existing fire precautions — detection, warning, means of escape, firefighting equipment, signage, and emergency lighting
- Assessment of adequacy of existing precautions against the identified risk
- Action plan — specific recommendations with priorities and timescales for any improvements required
- Record of findings — the written report that must be retained on the premises
- Review date — when the assessment should next be reviewed
The assessment determines the category of fire alarm system required. An assessment that does not specify the required system category, or that simply states “existing system appears adequate” without verifying it against current standards, is not sufficiently detailed.
Finding a competent assessor
How to Find a Competent Fire Risk Assessor
The Fire Safety Order requires assessment by a competent person. There is no single prescribed qualification, but third-party accreditation from a recognised body is the clearest evidence of competence. Recognised accreditation bodies include:
- Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM) — maintains a register of accredited fire risk assessors at ifsm.org.uk
- Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) — professional body for fire engineers; fire risk assessment accreditation available
- Fire Protection Association (FPA) — provides accreditation for fire risk assessors
- BAFE SP205 — the BAFE life safety scheme specifically for fire risk assessors; verifiable at bafe.org.uk
Always verify the assessor’s accreditation directly with the accrediting body before appointing — accreditation can lapse, and some assessors claim affiliations they do not hold. Ask to see a sample report from a comparable premises before commissioning an assessment.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The Fire Safety Order requires the assessment to be kept under review and updated whenever there is reason to believe it may no longer be valid. Triggers include changes to the building layout, occupancy, processes, or following a fire or near-miss. In the absence of significant change, most assessors recommend a formal review every one to three years. Assessments that are more than three years old without review are likely to be considered out of date by a fire inspector.
Yes — for simple, low-risk premises the responsible person may be capable of carrying out a suitable and sufficient assessment using the government’s published guidance documents. The government provides free guidance for several common premises types (offices, factories, shops, and others). For complex premises, higher-risk occupancies, or premises where an inadequate assessment could have serious consequences, appointing a professional assessor is strongly advisable. The savings on assessment fees are rarely worth the risk of an inadequate assessment on anything other than the simplest premises.