Last updated on March 31st, 2022
Planning consultants cost
Planning consultants can help you with a number of tasks. Primarily, planning consultants are the go-between, between you, the government, and local authorities. Planning consultants have to understand the law around planning permission and know the local area.
Planning consultants can help you with a number of tasks when you’re looking to build or renovate a property. Primarily, they’ll act as the middleman between you, the government, and local authorities. Planning consultants have to understand the laws around planning permission and know the local area. They’ll also draw up master plans that are given to contractors.
In this guide, we’ll help you understand the average planning consultants fees.
How much do planning consultants charge?
| Cost provided item | Low cost | High cost | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultant cost per hour | £130 | £300 | £215 |
| Business plan consultant fee | £500 | £3,000 | £1,750 |
Our costs are ballpark averages – get a local tradesperson to quote now
Planning consultants costs vary depending on what you need them for. If your project is on a large scale, the consultant will need to conduct market research and liaise with the local government. This will require more work and a higher cost. If you need planning permission you will have to provide plans and drawings, a consultant can also do this for you. This saves the cost of hiring an architect.
On average, you can expect to pay around £130 – £300 per hour for a planning consultant’s time.
Consultant fees for strategic planning
Some planning consultants only oversee the process before construction begins. Others will continue to help you throughout the construction process until its completion. A consultant will help with strategic planning, ensuring your material resources and budget is not wasted. This is particularly valuable when you are hoping to make a return on your investment through a project like a housing development, apartment building, etc. Consultants act as your agent, and as you employ them, they will work to ensure your project goes ahead successfully.
Business plan consultant fee
Planning consultants can also offer you help with business plans, at an average cost of around £1,750 depending on the project. If you need to create a business plan to ask for investment, a planning consultant can help you with this process. Their knowledge of the law and local issues will be useful during business plan preparation. Whilst it may seem using an architect to create your plans makes more sense, a consultant will have more general knowledge and understanding of gaining planning permission and council approval.
Town planning consultant fees
If your project is of a large scale, a consultant can also manage different stakeholders for you. Consultants can handle the consulting of neighbours and residents in the area, ensuring everyone in the community is on board with the project. Unlike an architect, consultants offer a lot more services and support throughout the entire construction process, this will be very important for larger, slower projects.
FAQs
Where should I look for a planning consultant?
Checkatrade’s search feature means you can find a list of vetted, accredited planning consultants.
Should I hire a planning consultant or an architect?
Planning consultants are often cheaper and have more expertise in the local area/dealing with local councils.
Is it worth hiring a planning consultant?
Whilst hiring a consultant at first may seem unnecessary, but you could save money in the long run. Consultants almost act like an agent for your project, advocating for your cause when applying for planning permission. Planning consultants will try their best to push approval for your project through, as an appeal takes a lot more time and effort on their part.
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