The cost of a fire risk assessment can vary depending on a number of factors. These factors influence both the time required to carry out the assessment and the complexity of the fire risks involved.
- Number of buildings
- Size of the building or buildings
- Number of occupants
- Vulnerability of occupants
- Number of floors
- Use of the building
- Overall risk profile
- Presence of sleeping occupants
- Type and scope of fire risk assessment required
Because no two buildings are the same, fire risk assessments are typically priced on a case-by-case basis.
Quick answer
How Much Does a Fire Risk Assessment Cost in the UK?
A fire risk assessment in the UK typically costs £150 to £900 for most small and medium-sized premises. Larger, higher-risk or more complex buildings can cost £900 to £1,500+, especially where there is sleeping accommodation, vulnerable occupants, multiple floors, complex escape routes or several buildings to assess.
£200-£400
£300-£650
£750-£1,500+
These are guide prices only. The final cost depends on the size, use, layout, fire risk profile and the level of detail required in the report.
Estimate Your Fire Risk Assessment Cost
Fire Risk Assessment Cost Calculator
Use this guide price calculator to estimate the likely cost of a professional fire risk assessment. The result is indicative only; an accurate fixed quote will depend on the actual premises, location, access and scope.
£200-£400
Suitable for many smaller shops, offices and cafes with simple layouts and lower risk profiles.
Typical Fire Risk Assessment Costs
When requesting quotations, you may see prices ranging from £150 to £900 for most small and medium-sized premises, with larger or more complex buildings often costing £900 to £1,500+.
Lower-cost assessments are usually suitable only for simple, low-risk buildings. Larger, higher-risk, or more complex premises will typically cost more due to the time, expertise, and documentation required.
Some individual assessors may offer prices below this range. While cost is an important factor, it is also important to ensure that the assessment is suitable and sufficient, carried out by a competent assessor, and properly documented.
At the other end of the scale, larger organisations may charge higher fees due to overheads or bundled services. A higher price does not always guarantee a better assessment — what matters is the quality, clarity, and relevance of the findings.
If a quote appears unusually low, it is worth considering whether sufficient time and care can realistically be given to the assessment. A poorly completed fire risk assessment may fail to identify key risks, making it difficult to take appropriate action and potentially leaving you exposed to enforcement action.
A fire risk assessment is not just a piece of paperwork — it is a critical safety tool.
Typical Fire Risk Assessment Cost Comparison
The table below provides indicative cost ranges for common building types. Actual prices will depend on the size, layout, use, and fire risk profile of each premises.
| Premises type | Typical complexity | Indicative cost range | Why costs vary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small office, shop or cafe | Low | £200-£400 | Smaller premises with simple layouts, lower occupancy and straightforward escape routes usually take less time to assess. |
| Dental practice, beauty salon or small workplace | Low to medium | £250-£450 | Public access, treatment rooms, electrical equipment and staff/customer occupancy can increase the level of checking required. |
| Restaurant, pub or commercial kitchen | Medium | £300-£600 | Cooking risks, extraction systems, gas/electrical equipment, public access and out-of-hours use can increase complexity. |
| HMO or small residential block | Medium to high | £300-£650 | Shared escape routes, sleeping occupants, fire doors, alarms and landlord duties usually require more detailed review. |
| School, nursery or community building | Medium to high | £500-£1,000 | Higher occupancy, children or vulnerable users, evacuation procedures and varied room uses can increase assessment time. |
| Warehouse, factory or industrial unit | Medium to high | £400-£900 | Larger floor areas, storage, machinery, processes, ignition sources and compartmentation can affect the scope. |
| Hotel, care home or healthcare premises | High | £750-£1,500+ | Sleeping occupants, vulnerable people, phased evacuation, staffing arrangements and complex fire safety management increase the level of detail needed. |
| Large commercial building, high-rise block or complex site | High | £900-£1,500+ | Multiple floors, complex escape routes, shared occupancy, specialist systems or higher-risk building features usually require a more detailed assessment. |
| Multi-site or portfolio assessments | High | Bespoke | Pricing depends on the number of buildings, location, access arrangements, reporting format and whether sites can be assessed together. |
HMO fire risk assessment costs can be higher where the property has several storeys, shared escape routes, fire doors, alarm systems, emergency lighting or licensing conditions to review. See our HMO fire safety requirements guide for the main issues landlords need to consider.
For an accurate quotation, details such as building use, size, number of occupants, and fire risk profile will need to be considered.
What Is Included in The Price?
A professional fire risk assessment quote will usually include the assessor’s time on site, a review of the premises, and a written report setting out the significant findings. The exact scope should be confirmed before booking, but most suitable assessments include the following.
- A site visit and walk-through of the premises.
- Identification of fire hazards, ignition sources and combustible materials.
- Consideration of people at risk, including staff, visitors, residents, contractors and anyone who may need assistance to escape.
- Review of escape routes, final exits, stairways and travel distances.
- Checks on relevant fire safety measures, such as fire doors, fire alarms, emergency lighting, extinguishers and fire safety signs.
- Review of fire safety management arrangements, including procedures, training, maintenance records and evacuation planning.
- A written fire risk assessment report with significant findings.
- A prioritised action plan showing recommended improvements and timescales.
- A suggested review date or review frequency based on the risk profile of the premises.
The cost of remedial works, servicing, fire alarm upgrades, emergency lighting installation, fire door repairs or other improvement works is normally separate from the cost of the fire risk assessment itself.
The assessment methodology should reflect the premises type. Non-domestic premises are commonly assessed using a structured approach such as PAS 79-1, while housing premises may be assessed with reference to BS 9792:2025. The assessor’s competence should also match the complexity and risk profile of the building.
What Can Increase the Cost of A Fire Risk Assessment?
Fire risk assessment prices increase when the premises takes longer to inspect, requires a more experienced assessor, or involves a higher level of risk. A simple single-storey office is usually quicker to assess than a hotel, care home, HMO, warehouse or multi-site property portfolio.
- Size and floor area: larger buildings take longer to inspect and document.
- Number of floors: multi-storey buildings often involve more complex escape routes, stairways and compartmentation.
- Sleeping accommodation: hotels, HMOs, blocks of flats and supported housing usually require more detailed consideration.
- Vulnerable occupants: care homes, healthcare premises, nurseries and specialist housing may need more detailed evacuation planning.
- Commercial kitchens: cooking equipment, extraction systems and higher ignition risks can increase complexity.
- Industrial processes or storage: machinery, flammable materials, high fire loads or hazardous substances can affect the scope.
- Shared or mixed-use buildings: multiple occupiers, common escape routes and landlord responsibilities can make the assessment more involved.
- Poor existing information: missing maintenance records, unclear layouts or lack of previous fire safety documentation can add time.
- Multiple buildings or sites: portfolios usually need separate inspections, coordinated reporting and consistent action planning.
Cheap Fire Risk Assessments: What to Watch For
It can be tempting to choose the lowest quote, especially for a small business or rental property. However, a fire risk assessment should be suitable and sufficient for the actual premises. A very cheap assessment may not allow enough time for a proper site inspection, evidence review and written report.
Before accepting a low-cost quote, check what is actually included. You should understand whether the assessor will visit the site, what areas will be inspected, what standard of report will be provided, and whether the findings will include a clear action plan.
- Be cautious of quotes that appear to cover every type of building for the same fixed low price.
- Check whether the assessment includes an on-site inspection or is only a desktop/template review.
- Ask whether the assessor has suitable experience for your type of premises.
- Make sure the report will identify significant findings and prioritised actions, not just provide a generic checklist.
- Confirm whether VAT, travel, additional buildings and follow-up reviews are included.
The cheapest fire risk assessment is not always the best value. If important risks are missed, the Responsible Person may still be exposed to enforcement action, remedial costs and safety issues later on.
Need A Properly Scoped Fire Risk Assessment?
We can help you arrange a suitable quote based on the building type, size, occupancy, risk profile and whether the assessment should follow PAS 79-1, BS 9792 or another relevant fire safety methodology.
Examples of Buildings with A Lower-Cost
These buildings are generally smaller, simpler in layout, and present fewer fire risks. Fire risk assessments for these premises may typically fall in the region of £250–£350, depending on size and use.
Examples of Buildings With a Mid-Level Cost
These premises are typically larger, have more complex layouts, or involve higher occupant numbers and risk profiles.
Examples of Buildings With a Higher Cost
Higher-cost fire risk assessments usually involve larger, more complex, or multi-site buildings, often with vulnerable or sleeping occupants and shared escape routes.
- Blocks of flats
- Council
- General Needs
- Health Care
- HMO
- Hospital
- Housing Association Premises
- Local Authority Buildings
- Sheltered or Supported Housing
- Social Housing
- Multi-site or portfolio assessments
A Final Word on Cost
The right fire risk assessment should be proportionate to the risks, clearly written, and practical to implement. Choosing solely on price can be a false economy if key risks are missed or findings are unclear.
A well-carried-out assessment supports compliance, protects people, and provides confidence that fire safety risks are being managed appropriately.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Risk Assessment Costs
How much does a fire risk assessment cost in the UK?
Fire risk assessment costs typically range from £200 to £900, depending on the size, complexity, use of the building, and the level of risk involved. Larger or higher-risk premises will usually cost more.
Why do fire risk assessment prices vary so much?
Prices vary because no two buildings are the same. Factors such as building size, number of occupants, layout, use, presence of sleeping occupants, and overall risk profile all affect the time and expertise required to carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment.
Is the cheapest fire risk assessment always suitable?
Not necessarily. Very low-cost assessments may not allow sufficient time to properly identify hazards or produce a clear, usable report. An assessment that is not suitable and sufficient may leave risks unaddressed and expose the Responsible Person to enforcement action.
What is included in the cost of a fire risk assessment?
The cost typically includes an on-site inspection, identification of fire hazards and people at risk, evaluation of existing fire safety measures, recording of significant findings, and a written report with recommended actions.
Do larger or residential buildings cost more?
Yes. Buildings such as blocks of flats, HMOs, care homes, hospitals, and multi-site portfolios usually cost more due to their size, complexity, shared escape routes, and the presence of vulnerable or sleeping occupants.
Can I get a fixed price for a fire risk assessment?
In many cases, yes. Most providers will offer a fixed quotation once they understand the size, use, and risk profile of the premises. This helps ensure there are no unexpected costs.
How often do I need to pay for a fire risk assessment?
A fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary. Costs may arise when a review identifies significant changes, when the building use or layout changes, or when a new assessment is required.
Are remedial works included in the fire risk assessment cost?
No. The assessment cost usually covers the inspection, findings and written report. Any remedial works, servicing, fire alarm upgrades, emergency lighting work, fire door repairs or other improvements are normally quoted separately.
Is the fire risk assessment cost calculator a fixed quote?
No. The calculator provides an indicative guide price based on common cost factors such as premises type, size, number of floors and risk profile. A fixed quote should be based on the actual premises, location, access requirements and the scope of the assessment.
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