PRICE GUIDE · BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL · 2026–2027
HR Consultant cost in the UK
£60–£300 per hour. Typically £80.
An HR consultant costs £60–£300 per hour in the UK, with about £80 a common rate for small-business work. General HR advice and policy work are cheapest; senior specialists on tribunals, restructures or complex employee relations charge the most.
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HOW MUCH IT COSTS
How much does an HR consultant cost in the UK?
| Low end | £60 | general HR advice for a small business |
|---|---|---|
| Typical | £80 | what most people pay |
| High end | £300 | a senior specialist on a complex case |
Locufy guide prices for 2026–2027. Updated 2026. A national range, not a quote — enter your town above for real prices from the accountants, solicitors and professional firms near you.
What moves the price
- Experience — CIPD-qualified senior HR consultants charge more than generalists
- Type of HR work — disciplinary and grievance support cost less than restructures or tribunal preparation
- Retainer or ad hoc — a monthly HR retainer often costs less than paying by the hour
- Business size — more employees mean more policies, cases and HR time
- Urgency — a dispute that needs help the same day costs more
- Location — HR consultants in London and the South East charge more
Professional services prices in the UK are up 12% over five years (ONS Consumer Price Inflation, Other services n.e.c., to 2026 August). Five years ago a typical hr consultant would have cost about £85 — an estimate from today's guide price and that index, not a recorded price. Source: ONS MM23 D7FR →
WHAT YOU GET
What a HR consultant visit includes
Takes: A single issue takes an hour or two; projects such as restructures run for weeks. Not included: Employment solicitors, payroll and recruitment are priced separately — see the related guides below.
WHAT PEOPLE BOOK
Common HR consultant jobs
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HR Consultant near you, with prices shown
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How to pay less
- Agree a monthly HR retainer if issues come up regularly
- Use the free Acas guidance and codes of practice before paying a consultant for simple questions
- Keep employee records tidy so the HR consultant spends less time on each case
Before you book
- Check the HR consultant's qualifications, such as CIPD membership, and their insurance
- Ask what the HR consultant's retainer covers and how extra work is charged
- Follow the Acas code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures
- Know when the HR issue needs an employment solicitor instead
HR Consultant cost: questions people ask
£60–£300 per hour, with about £80 a common rate for small-business work. General HR advice costs the least; senior specialists on complex cases cost the most.
A single issue can be handled in an hour or two. Restructures and handbook projects run for several weeks.
Employers should follow the Acas code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures, as tribunals take it into account and can adjust awards.
For businesses with regular HR questions, a monthly retainer is usually better value and gives quick access to advice.
Legal representation at tribunal, payroll and recruitment are separate services. A consultant can work alongside a solicitor where a claim is likely.
They are Locufy guide prices for the UK, worked out from published UK HR consultancy price guides. They are a national range rather than a quote.
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