HOW TO HIRE · BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire a business consultant in the UK
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
No licence applies to business consultants. Here is what the proposal should say and which advice must come from regulated firms.
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THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring a business consultant in five steps
- Write down the problemGrowth, costs, pricing, processes or an exit, in one page.
- Ask for case studiesSimilar businesses, what the consultant did and what changed.
- Get a written proposalScope, deliverables, days, day rate, expenses and VAT.
- Agree confidentialityBefore sharing your numbers.
- Keep regulated advice regulatedInvestment, pensions or mortgages need an FCA-authorised firm.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
No register applies
No law licenses business consultants in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. References from similar firms, a written proposal and confidentiality terms are your protection.
Ask the business consultant for two references from businesses like yours.
Regulated advice needs FCA authorisation
Financial advice, mortgage advice and insurance broking are regulated activities: the firm must be authorised by the FCA. A business consultant who is not authorised should not give that advice.
If the work touches investment, pensions or insurance, check the firm on the FCA register. fca.org.uk →
Off-payroll working (IR35)
A consultant working through their own limited company may come under HMRC's off-payroll rules; for most clients, the client decides employment status, except small private-sector clients.
Ask how the consultant is engaged and record any status decision. gov.uk →
Your data and the ICO
Customer lists, staff records and accounts shared with a consultant include personal data, which data protection rules require to be kept secure.
Share only what is needed and put confidentiality in the agreement. gov.uk →
VAT
Business consultancy is standard-rated, so a registered business consultant adds 20% to the day rate or project fee and to expenses passed on to you. Registration becomes compulsory once a business consultant has VAT-taxable turnover over £90,000 in any rolling 12 months; from then VAT must be charged and shown as a separate line on the invoice.
Ask the business consultant for the VAT number with the proposal and for days, expenses and VAT shown one under another. gov.uk →
A good answer: Specific changes and figures, with a reference.
A good answer: A diagnostic, a written plan, workshops or implementation, with dates.
A good answer: A rate, VAT at 20% if registered, and an expenses policy.
A good answer: An estimate tied to the deliverables.
A good answer: Yes, before you share figures.
A good answer: Your business, by agreement.
A good answer: Whether implementation is included or priced separately.
Getting the quote right
- Scope and deliverables
- Who actually attends the workshops and does the analysis: the business consultant named, an associate employed or subcontracted
- Day rate and estimated days, or fixed project fee
- Expenses policy
- The VAT number, and VAT at 20% on the day rate and expenses
- Confidentiality and ownership of the work
- Notice and payment terms
Walk away if
- No written proposal
- Promises growth figures with no basis
- Gives investment or pension advice without FCA authorisation
- Refuses confidentiality
- Open-ended days with no deliverables
- Pushes their own products or partners
What a business consultant costs: £350–£1,400 per day
Business consultants usually charge a day rate or a fixed project fee, plus expenses and VAT. Business Consultant price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
Business consultants near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you.
- DiagnosticA look at the business, its numbers and problems.
- WorkshopsSessions with owners and staff.
- RecommendationsA written plan in order of priority.
- ImplementationHelp putting changes in place, where agreed.
- ReviewResults checked against the plan.
- Day rate
- The fee for one working day.
- Diagnostic
- An initial review of the business.
- KPI
- A key measure used to track results.
- Proposal
- The written offer setting out scope, days and fee.
- Implementation
- Putting recommendations into practice.
- Non-disclosure agreement
- A contract keeping shared information confidential.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring a business consultant: questions people ask
None of the four nations requires a licence, a registration or a qualification for this work.
Only if the firm is FCA-authorised for it; otherwise use an authorised adviser.
They can, if the consultant uses their own company; HMRC explains who decides status.
£350–£1,400 per day, typically around £680. Experience, project type and length of engagement set the day rate. The business consultant price guide has the full breakdown; enter your town above to compare business consultants near you.
If they are VAT-registered, at 20%; ask whether the rate includes it.
From a single day's review to several months of part-time support.
MORE GUIDES
More hiring guides in business & professional
Business consultants near you
Sources — checked October 2026
- FCA — how to check a firm or individual is authorised
- gov.uk — understanding off-payroll working (IR35)
- gov.uk — data protection and your business
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 — reasonable care and skill
- Citizens Advice — more help with a consumer issue
- gov.uk — make a court claim for money: court fees
- VAT rates — VAT rates for goods and services: standard rate 20% on most goods and services
- GOV.UK — Register for VAT: when to register