How much does a fire risk assessment cost for a small business or shop?

A small shop, café or single-floor office usually falls in the small premises band of £180–£350. The assessor confirms the figure once they know the floor area, number of floors and what the premises are used for.

How much does an HMO or holiday let fire risk assessment cost?

A small HMO or a small holiday cottage is typically £180–£350. Larger HMOs, guest houses and other buildings where people sleep are typically £350–£750, because there is more to inspect and sleeping risk needs more time on site.

Why do fire risk assessment quotes vary so much?

Assessors price for the time needed to inspect every relevant door, escape route and fire system, plus occupancy vulnerability, fire loading and travel. A suitable and sufficient assessment under the Fire Safety Order cannot be a five-minute template.

Is a very cheap fire risk assessment a red flag?

Often yes. A fee well below the small premises band for a commercial building can mean a generic template or too little time on site. Competence and usable findings matter more than the lowest headline price, because the Responsible Person stays liable if the assessment is not suitable and sufficient.

Does the price include remedial work?

No. The fee covers the assessment and written report. Any works the report recommends — for example fire doors or alarm upgrades — are quoted separately by contractors you choose. Safety Certificates UK does not sell remedial work.

Do I legally need a fire risk assessment?

Yes, for premises where the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies — workplaces, premises open to the public, paying guest accommodation and the common parts of multi-occupied residential buildings. The Responsible Person must carry out, record in full and regularly review the assessment.

How often will I have to pay for a fire risk assessment?

There is no fixed expiry in law. You must review the assessment regularly and whenever it may no longer be valid. A review is often quicker and cheaper than a full reassessment, but significant changes to the building or its use usually justify a new assessment.

Can I bundle fire with legionella to save cost?

Many dutyholders ask for both on one quote so a single visit can be coordinated. Typical legionella bands are £90–£180 for a domestic system, £150–£350 for an HMO or complex system, and from £250 for commercial, care or dental premises.

Fire Risk Assessment Cost UK 2026 | Safety Certificates UK

Q: How much does a fire risk assessment cost in 2026?

Through our matching network, typical professional fees are £180–£350 for small premises and £350–£750 for medium or sleeping-risk buildings such as HMOs, hotels, multi-storey offices and larger blocks. Complex, high-rise, care or multi-building sites are priced individually after scoping.

How much does a fire risk assessment cost in 2026? Through Safety Certificates UK’s matching network, typical professional fees are £180–£350 for small premises (shops, cafés, small offices, small HMOs and holiday lets) and £350–£750 for medium or sleeping-risk buildings (larger HMOs, hotels, guest houses, multi-storey offices and blocks). The fee reflects the time needed for a suitable and sufficient assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which the Responsible Person must record in full and keep under review. Complex, high-rise, care or multi-building sites are priced after scoping. Get a fire risk assessment quote for your premises.

Fire risk assessment price bands (2026)

Premises	Typical fee via our network	Examples
Small premises	£180–£350	Small shop, café, single-floor office, small HMO, holiday cottage or single flat let to paying guests
Medium / sleeping risk	£350–£750	Larger HMO, hotel or guest house, multi-storey office, restaurant with commercial kitchen, small warehouse, block of flats (common parts)
Complex sites	Priced after scoping	High-rise residential, large care homes, hospitals, department stores, large manufacturing or multi-building estates

These are the same bands shown on our fire risk assessments service page. Use them to budget, then request a site-specific quote.

Want a firm price? Get a fire risk assessment quote — tell us the premises type, postcode and number of floors.

What changes the price

Assessors estimate the time needed for a suitable and sufficient inspection and report:

Size and layout. More floors, rooms, fire doors and escape routes mean more time on site. Mezzanines, basements and interconnected buildings add to it.
Sleeping and vulnerability. Awake, able-bodied office staff are simpler to plan for than sleeping occupants (HMOs, hotels, holiday lets) or vulnerable residents (care and healthcare).
Use and fire loading. Commercial kitchens, combustible storage, plant rooms and hazardous processes need more scrutiny than a simple shop.
Method and scope. Non-domestic work often follows PAS 79-1; housing in scope should follow BS 9792:2025. Entering individual flats (a Type 3 or Type 4 housing assessment) takes longer than common parts only.
Existing paperwork. Floor plans, previous assessments and alarm and emergency lighting service records help the assessor work efficiently.
Location and access. Travel time, parking and access arrangements can move a quote within its band.

What you should get for the fee

a site visit by a competent assessor who walks the whole premises;
a written assessment recording all findings — required in full for every Responsible Person since 1 October 2023;
a prioritised action plan with realistic timescales;
the assessor’s name and organisation recorded on the document;
a recommended review date or review triggers.

The fee does not include remedial work. Fire doors, alarm upgrades or emergency lighting are quoted separately by contractors you choose — Safety Certificates UK does not sell remedial work.

The trap of the cheapest quote

A price well below the small premises band for a commercial building is a red flag. Cut-rate offers often mean generic templates, too little time on site, or reports without usable findings. If a fire occurs and the assessment is found not to be suitable and sufficient, you — as Responsible Person — remain liable. Fire Safety Order offences can lead to an unlimited fine and, in the most serious cases, imprisonment.

Safety Certificates UK is a matching network: we coordinate vetted independent assessors; we do not assess in-house, and we do not claim UKAS, BAFE, ISO or five-star ratings for the portal.

Review vs reassessment: what you pay again

Article 9 of the Fire Safety Order requires the assessment to be reviewed regularly and whenever there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid. There is no fixed expiry date. A review of a stable building is usually quicker than a full new assessment; a refurbishment, change of use or change in occupancy usually justifies a new one. See how often a fire risk assessment must be reviewed.

Bundle fire with legionella

Landlords and facilities teams often also need a legionella risk assessment under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, COSHH and ACoP L8 — typically £90–£180 for a domestic system, £150–£350 for an HMO or complex system and from £250 for commercial, care or dental premises. Ask for both on one quote and we will coordinate one visit where possible. HMO landlords should also read our HMO fire risk assessment guide and which certificates you need for HMO licensing.

Your next steps

Match your premises to a band. Small, medium/sleeping risk, or complex.
Request a quote. Describe size, use, sleeping risk and timeline on our form.
Act on the findings. A report without closed-out actions will not protect you if enforcement follows.

Official sources

Checked 2 October 2026:

Ready to book your fire risk assessment?

Next step: Get a quote for a fire risk assessment through Safety Certificates UK’s matching network (we do not assess in-house).

Guidance only — not legal advice. Requirements depend on the premises and enforcing authority. Arrange a formal on-site assessment where needed. Price bands are indicative, not fixed tariffs.

Fire Risk Assessment Cost UK 2026