A fire risk assessment (FRA) typically costs between £150 and £1,500+, depending on key factors like building type, number of occupants, complexity, and location. These specific assessments are legally required for all non-domestic premises, and although some prices may be costly, they must be completed to remain compliant.
To find out more about how much a fire risk assessment costs in 2026, continue reading our price guide.
What is a Fire Risk Assessment?
A fire risk assessment is an organised review of a building to identify potential fire hazards, evaluate risk factors, and decide the necessary measures to prevent issues from occurring.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO), a fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for all non-domestic premises in the UK. The process is completed to ensure optimal safety by evaluating hazards to minimise the risk of a fire, including fuel or oxygen sources and areas of the premises that are likely to start a fire.
How Much Does a Fire Risk Assessment Cost by Building Type?
The cost of a fire risk assessment typically ranges from £150 for low-level buildings, such as single-storey premises, to £1,500+ for high-level buildings, such as high-rise flats, depending on key factors like assessment complexity and location.
Building Type | Example | Low Range | High Range | Average Cost |
Low-Level | Single-story shop, cafe, or office | £150 | £500 | £325 |
Mid-Level | Two to three-storey office, retail unit, or small house in multiple occupation (HMO) | £250 | £600 | £425 |
High-Level | High-rise block of flats, large hospital, or multi-storey shopping centre | £350 | £1,500+ | £925+ |
Please note that these figures are estimates, and exact costs vary based on significant factors.
Factors Influencing Fire Risk Assessment Cost
If you’re evaluating the costs of a fire risk assessment, it’s helpful to understand what factors can affect the overall price:
Building Type & Size
Low-level buildings cost less to assess compared to high-level buildings due to their size. While costs for smaller buildings start at a couple of hundred pounds, larger buildings can be in the higher thousand-pound range, especially if they have a difficult layout.
Assessment Complexity
The bigger the premises, the more complex the fire risk assessment is likely to be. When there are multiple floors to evaluate containing potentially flammable materials or hazards, the time and cost of assessment will increase.
Occupancy & Vulnerability
The number of occupants residing and their overall vulnerability can heavily impact the assessment. For example, buildings such as hospitals or care homes require detailed and costly assessments compared to small retail shops with no occupants.
Location
Geographical location may affect the cost of fire risk assessment. However, it is possible find reasonably priced fire risk assessments in all areas, even in London.
Additional Requirements
Additional costs beyond typical fire risk assessment fees include fire safety training services, follow-up visits, VAT, and potential improvement costs, including any new fire alarms or safety doors that may be required if issues are found upon assessment.
5 Tips to Reduce Fire Risk Assessment Costs
If you’re looking for ways to reduce fire risk assessment costs, follow our five helpful top tips.
1 - Hire a Reputable Assessor
Hiring a professional and reputable fire risk assessor with qualifications and certifications is essential for fire risk assessments. By choosing an unqualified assessor, you’ll be compromising safety, which may lead to costly remediation.
2 - Gather Quotes
Quotes for fire risk assessments will widely vary, mostly depending on location and building type. Gathering quotes makes it easier to save money – although higher-priced assessments may be more thorough in some cases.
3 - Seek Bundle Services
Most companies offer bundle services, combining fire risk assessments with other important safety checks. Typically, opting for bundle services allows you to save on costs.
4 - Book Timely Assessments
Scheduling regular safety assessments is beneficial to avoid booking last-minute, costly appointments. At FP Fire, we advise pre-booking fire risk assessments in advance during off-peak time periods to prevent paying higher fees.
5 - Perform Regular Maintenance & Servicing
Regular fire safety maintenance and servicing don’t exempt properties in the UK from legally required fire risk assessments, but they can potentially simplify and lower costs. If your fire safety equipment is well-maintained, it should result in a more streamlined and inexpensive assessment with minimal repairs or ongoing costs required!
The Role of a Fire Risk Assessor
The role of a fire risk assessor is to ensure optimal fire safety and compliance by identifying hazards and recommending methods to minimise the chance of issues occurring.
Evaluate Potential Fire Hazards
The main and most important role of a risk assessor is to evaluate potential fire hazards on your premises. They’ll begin the assessment by thoroughly inspecting each area of the building, including all electrical systems, fire alarms, escape routes, and objects made with flammable materials.
Offer Qualifications & Certifications
Your chosen assessor should be fully qualified and certified to provide a professional assessment, which strongly guarantees proper inspection and an accurate report.
Create an Emergency Plan
Once your assessment is complete, your fire risk assessor will help develop an emergency plan based on your property requirements. This often includes escape routes, new evacuation processes, fire equipment, and staff training.
The Importance of Compliance
Failure to comply with strict safety regulations may lead to harmful and expensive consequences, such as unlimited fines or imprisonment in more severe cases.
As mentioned, fire risk assessments are a legal requirement in the UK under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. It’s down to employers, owners, and landlords to ensure assessments are conducted and safety measures are in place.
Summary
- Fire risk assessment typically costs between £150 & £1,500+
- Assessment costs vary depending on building type, complexity & location
- Hire a professional fire risk assessor
- Ensure your fire risk assessment is performed on time
- Fire safety maintenance & repairs are beneficial to lower costs
Book Your Fire Risk Assessment in London
If you require a professional fire risk assessment for your London-based premises, we can help. At FP Fire, we provide thorough fire risk assessments at the most reasonable price.
Our team of qualified assessors work hard to identify potential hazards, ensure compliance, and maintain safety for everyone in your premises. Expect top-quality service and accurate reporting, keeping your building inspection-ready and protected.
To receive a tailored quote, please contact us today!
FAQs:
It is possible to complete a fire risk assessment yourself if you're considered a 'responsible person' (employer or business owner), but this is not advised. Accurate assessments require strong knowledge, training, and experience to identify potential fire safety risks, which only professional engineers possess.
Yes, you must legally have a fire risk assessment in the UK for all non-domestic properties, including workplaces.
A fire risk assessment can take anywhere from 30 minutes for a small shop to up to 3 hours+ for a standard building and several days for larger premises.
There is currently no legal timeframe regarding how often you should have a fire risk assessment. However, annual reviews are best practice to maintain safety, plus immediate reviews after any significant changes are made to the building.