How Much Does a Construction Safety Consultant Cost?
The Complete UK Guide to Health and Safety Consultancy Costs
One of the most common questions asked by construction businesses is:
“How much does a construction safety consultant cost?”
The answer depends on the type of support required, the size of the business, the complexity of the work undertaken and whether ongoing support is needed.
Some contractors only require assistance with a single risk assessment or CHAS application, while others need ongoing Health and Safety management throughout the year.
This guide explains typical Health and Safety consultancy costs in the UK construction sector and the factors that influence pricing.
What Does a Construction Safety Consultant Do?
A construction safety consultant helps businesses manage workplace risks and comply with Health and Safety legislation.
Services may include:
- Health and Safety policies
- Risk assessments
- Method statements (RAMS)
- Site inspections
- Safety audits
- CHAS accreditation support
- SSIP applications
- Constructionline support
- COSHH assessments
- Accident investigations
- CDM compliance advice
- Training and toolbox talks
- Competent person services
Many contractors use consultants to supplement internal resources or meet accreditation and procurement requirements.
Typical Construction Safety Consultant Costs
Health and Safety consultancy fees vary significantly depending on the service required.
Health and Safety Consultant Hourly Rate UK
Independent health and safety consultants typically charge:
£50 to £150 per hour
Factors affecting hourly rates include:
- Experience
- Qualifications
- Industry specialisms
- Geographic location
- Complexity of work
Specialist consultants operating in high risk sectors may charge higher rates.
Health and Safety Consultant Day Rate
Construction health and safety consultants commonly work on a day-rate basis.
Typical daily rates range from:
£300 to £800 per day
Highly specialised consultants working on major infrastructure or complex projects may charge more.
Monthly Retainer Services
Many contractors prefer ongoing support through a monthly consultancy arrangement.
Typical monthly costs range from:
£50 to £500+ per month – Seguro competent safety consultant service £50 per month
The level of support often depends on:
- Number of employees
- Number of projects
- Frequency of advice required
- Documentation management requirements
- Site inspection requirements
Retainer arrangements can provide predictable costs and ongoing access to competent advice.
Cost of CHAS Accreditation Support
Many contractors engage consultants specifically to help achieve CHAS accreditation.
Typical consultancy fees range from:
£300 to £1,000 – Seguro fees are 4 employees or less £300, more than 5 employees £450
Pricing depends on:
- Existing documentation
- Business size
- Number of employees
- Previous accreditation history
- Quality of current systems
Businesses starting from scratch often require more support than companies renewing existing accreditation.
Cost of Risk Assessments
Simple risk assessments may cost:
£50 to £250 – Seguro charges – Prewritten from our shop £10 | Bespoke written for a project £150
More detailed assessments involving:
- Complex construction activities
- Specialist plant
- Multiple hazards
- Large sites
Cost of RAMS (Risk Assessments and Method Statements)
RAMS preparation costs typically range from:
£100 to £500 – Seguro charges. Prewritten from our shop £10 | Bespoke written for a project £150
Factors affecting price include:
- Complexity of activities
- Number of work tasks
- Client requirements
- Project duration
- Site conditions
Cost of Site Inspections
Construction site inspections commonly cost:
£150 to £1,250 per visit
Pricing varies according to:
- Site size
- Travel requirements
- Reporting requirements
- Risk profile
- Duration of inspection
Regular inspections may be available at discounted rates.
Cost of a Competent Person Service
Many small construction companies outsource their competent Health and Safety advice.
Typical costs range from:
£50 to £300 per month – Seguro competent safety consultant service £50 per month
These services often include:
- Health and safety system set up
- Telephone support
- Email support
- Documentation reviews
- FREE Access to over 1,000 pre-written documents within our shop
- Legislative updates
- General compliance guidance
For many small businesses, this is significantly cheaper than employing an in house safety manager.
Cost of Employing an In House Safety Manager
Businesses sometimes compare consultancy costs against direct employment. Typical annual salaries for Health and Safety professionals may range from:
£35,000 to £70,000+ per year
Additional costs can include:
- Pension contributions
- National Insurance
- Training
- CPD requirements
- Software
- Equipment
- Recruitment costs
For smaller businesses, outsourced consultancy support is often more cost effective.
What Affects Construction Safety Consultant Costs?
Several factors influence consultancy fees.
Business Size
Larger businesses generally require:
- More documentation
- More advice
- Additional site visits
- Greater administration
This typically increases costs.
Project Complexity
Projects involving:
- Demolition
- Deep excavations
- Temporary works
- Rail infrastructure
- High rise construction
Usually require more specialist input.
Existing Documentation
Businesses with established systems generally require less consultancy support.
Those starting from scratch often require:
- Policies
- Risk assessments
- Procedures
- Forms
- Training records
Accreditation Requirements
Some clients require:
- CHAS
- SafeContractor
- Constructionline
- Avetta
- Altius
Meeting these requirements may involve additional consultancy work.
Site Visits
Remote consultancy support is often less expensive than regular site attendance. Travel time, reporting, and inspection requirements can increase fees. A health and safety consultant hourly rate uk is about £50 per hour, but charges typically are for a full day.
Is a Construction Safety Consultant Worth the Cost?
Many contractors view consultancy fees as an investment rather than an expense.
Effective Health and Safety management can help businesses:
- Win more contracts
- Pass accreditation assessments
- Improve compliance
- Reduce accident risks
- Avoid enforcement action
- Improve client confidence
- Access larger projects
For many small businesses, consultancy costs are often small compared with the value of contracts won.
How to Choose a Construction Safety Consultant
When comparing providers, consider:
- Industry experience
- Construction sector knowledge
- Professional qualifications
- Accreditation expertise
- Scope of support
- Response times
- Client reviews
- Fixed fee transparency
The cheapest option is not always the best value if it fails to meet client or accreditation requirements.
Key Takeaway
Construction safety consultant costs vary according to the level of support required.
Ongoing consultancy support, site inspections and accreditation management can range from a few hundred pounds to several thousand pounds per year.
For many contractors, professional Health and Safety support provides access to expert knowledge, improved compliance and increased opportunities to win work.
The cost guide for the health and safety consultant day rate and the health and safety consultant hourly rate in the UK is shown above.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a construction safety consultant cost in the UK?
Construction safety consultant costs vary depending on the level of support required. Hourly rates typically range from £50 to £150, daily rates often range from £300 to £800, and ongoing support packages can range from £50 to £500 or more per month.
What affects the cost of a health and safety consultant?
The cost of a health and safety consultant depends on factors such as business size, project complexity, industry sector, documentation requirements, site visits, accreditation support needs and the consultant’s experience and qualifications.
Is hiring a construction safety consultant cheaper than employing a safety manager?
For many small and medium sized businesses, outsourcing health and safety support can be more cost effective than employing a full time safety manager. Consultancy services provide access to professional advice without the ongoing employment costs associated with salaries, pensions and training.
How much does CHAS accreditation support cost?
CHAS accreditation support costs vary depending on the quality of existing documentation, company size and the amount of assistance required. Businesses with compliant documentation already in place generally require less support than those starting from scratch.
How much does a construction risk assessment cost?
The cost of a construction risk assessment depends on the complexity of the activity being assessed, the number of hazards involved and the level of detail required. More complex projects generally require more detailed assessments and therefore higher consultancy input.
How much do RAMS cost?
The cost of Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) depends on the type of work, client requirements, project complexity and the number of activities being covered. Bespoke RAMS usually require more preparation than standard templates.
What is included in construction health and safety consultancy?
Construction health and safety consultancy may include health and safety policies, risk assessments, RAMS, COSHH assessments, site inspections, audits, accident investigations, accreditation support, competent person services, training and compliance advice.
What is a competent person service?
A competent person service provides businesses with access to professional health and safety advice from a suitably qualified and experienced advisor. This support can help businesses meet their legal obligations and demonstrate compliance when requested by clients or accreditation bodies.
Do small construction companies need a health and safety consultant?
Small construction companies are not legally required to employ a health and safety consultant, but many choose to use one to access competent advice, maintain compliance documentation, support accreditation applications and manage workplace risks effectively.
Are site inspections included in health and safety consultancy services?
Some consultancy services include site inspections, while others charge separately. Site inspection costs often depend on the location, size of the site, reporting requirements and frequency of visits.
Why do construction companies use health and safety consultants?
Construction companies use health and safety consultants to help manage compliance, prepare documentation, improve site safety, support accreditation requirements, reduce risks and provide access to specialist knowledge without employing a full time safety professional.
Can a health and safety consultant help businesses win more contracts?
Many clients require evidence of health and safety compliance before awarding work. Health and safety consultants can help businesses prepare the documentation and systems often required for accreditations, PQQs and contractor assessments.
