If you've been Googling "how much does a health and safety consultant cost", you'll know that getting a straight answer is surprisingly difficult. Most consultancy websites are deliberately vague — "contact us for a quote" rarely tells you whether you're looking at £200 or £2,000.
At Comply HS Ltd, we believe in being upfront about pricing. This guide breaks down exactly what you should expect to pay for different types of H&S consultancy work in the UK in 2026, and what factors affect the final cost.
Quick summary: H&S consultant day rates typically range from £350–£750+ in the UK. For specific services, a basic risk assessment starts from around £150, a site audit from £350, and a full H&S policy suite from £600. Monthly retainers start from £250. All Comply HS Ltd prices exclude VAT.
Why Do H&S Consultant Costs Vary So Much?
Health and safety consultancy fees vary enormously depending on a handful of key factors. Understanding these will help you assess whether a quote you've received is fair — or whether you're being overcharged.
- Qualifications — A NEBOSH-qualified consultant commands higher fees than an unqualified one. NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) is widely regarded as the gold standard in H&S qualifications, and rightly so.
- Firm size — Large national consultancies have significant overheads: offices, sales teams, account managers. A lean specialist consultancy like Comply HS Ltd passes those savings directly to you.
- Sector complexity — A risk assessment for a construction site is considerably more involved than one for a small office. Complexity, hazard level and number of activities all affect the price.
- Location — London-based consultants may charge a premium for on-site work. Travel outside London may attract additional mileage costs at HMRC-approved rates.
- Scope of work — A one-off risk assessment is straightforward to price. An ongoing retainer relationship requires a bespoke quotation based on your business needs.
Day Rates & Hourly Fees
Many H&S consultants charge by the day or hour for general consultancy work — site visits, advice, training, and project management. Here's what you should expect to pay in 2026:
| Rate Type | Description | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly Rate | Ad hoc advice and support | £55–£150/hr |
| Half Day Rate | Up to 4 hours on-site or remote | £195–£400 |
| Full Day Rate | Up to 8 hours on-site or remote | £350–£750+ |
| Monthly Retainer | Ongoing H&S support | £250–£1,500+/month |
The wide ranges above reflect the difference between a lean specialist consultancy (lower end) and a large national firm (higher end). At Comply HS Ltd, our day rate is £350 + VAT and our hourly rate is £55 + VAT — firmly at the value end without compromising on quality or qualifications.
Risk Assessment Costs
Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, all employers are legally required to carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments. Here's what they typically cost:
| Service | Description | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| General Risk Assessment | Single activity or area, written report | £150–£350 |
| Multi-Area Risk Assessment | Up to 5 areas/activities with action plan | £350–£600 |
| COSHH Assessment | Chemical & substance hazard assessment | £175–£350 |
| Manual Handling Assessment | Assessment and written report | £150–£250 |
| DSE / Workstation Assessment | Per person assessment and report | £75–£120 per person |
The price depends heavily on the number of hazards involved, the size of your premises, and whether the consultant needs to visit on-site. A small office risk assessment can often be completed remotely at a lower cost, while a construction site or manufacturing facility will require a site visit and significantly more work.
Health & Safety Audit Costs
An H&S audit gives you a clear picture of where your business stands against legal requirements. Costs vary by business size and audit type:
| Service | Description | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop Audit | Review of existing H&S documentation only | £250–£400 |
| Site Audit (Small) | On-site inspection, up to 10 employees | £350–£550 |
| Site Audit (Medium) | On-site inspection, 10–50 employees | £500–£800 |
| Site Audit (Large) | On-site inspection, 50+ employees | £750–£1,500+ |
| Follow-up Audit | Verification of corrective actions | £200–£400 |
Policy Writing Costs
Every business with five or more employees must have a written Health & Safety policy. Even below that threshold, having one demonstrates professionalism and protects you in the event of an incident. Here's what bespoke policy writing costs:
| Service | Description | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| H&S Policy Statement | Bespoke company H&S policy document | £150–£300 |
| Single Procedure / SOP | One standalone safe working procedure | £100–£200 |
| Full Policy Suite | Complete set of H&S policies & procedures | £600–£1,200 |
| Policy Review & Update | Review and update of existing policies | £75–£200 |
| Emergency Plan | Bespoke emergency response / evacuation plan | £200–£400 |
Be wary of cheap, generic template policies downloaded from the internet. These are not tailored to your business, sector or workforce — and in the event of an HSE inspection or a workplace incident, a generic policy could leave you significantly exposed.
Monthly Retainer Packages
For businesses that need ongoing H&S support — but can't justify a full-time H&S manager — a monthly retainer is often the most cost-effective option. You get access to expert advice whenever you need it, without paying for a permanent employee.
At Comply HS Ltd, our retainer packages start from £250 per month and are structured around three tiers:
- Secure (£250/month) — Essential document management and compliance tracking via your dedicated client portal
- Assured (£450/month) — Full documentation plus action tracking, incident reporting and direct consultant access
- Elite (£595/month) — Everything in Assured, plus ISO certification support, toolbox talks and priority response
To put that in perspective: a full-time H&S Manager in London costs £40,000–£55,000 per year in salary alone, before employer NI, pension, equipment and management time. A retainer gives you professional H&S oversight at a fraction of that cost.
What Should You Watch Out For?
Not all H&S consultants are equal. Before engaging anyone, ask these questions:
- Are they NEBOSH qualified — or do they hold an equivalent recognised qualification?
- Do they carry Professional Indemnity Insurance? (This is essential — ask to see the certificate)
- Will they provide a written quotation before starting work?
- Are their documents bespoke to your business, or generic templates?
- Can they evidence experience in your specific sector?
Important: Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the legal responsibility for health and safety always remains with the employer — not the consultant. A good consultant will make sure you understand this, document all advice in writing, and work with you to build a compliant system rather than just hand over paperwork.
Getting a Quote
At Comply HS Ltd, we offer a free 30-minute consultation to understand your business needs before providing a written quotation. There's no obligation, no hard sell — just straightforward advice on what you actually need and what it will cost.
We serve businesses across London and the South East, with remote delivery available nationwide. Our NEBOSH-qualified consultant works directly with every client — you'll never be passed to a junior or handed a box of templates.
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