The planning consultant hourly rate can vary considerably depending on the consultant’s experience, location, specialism and the complexity of the project.
There is no nationally fixed hourly rate for planning consultants. Current consumer and industry sources give broad ranges rather than a single standard figure. HomeOwners Alliance currently suggests around £130 to £215 per hour as a rough guide for an individual consultant, while other sources report wider ranges.
The hourly rate is only one part of the cost. The number of hours required and exactly what the consultant is doing will determine the final bill.
What Is a Planning Consultant Hourly Rate?
An hourly rate is the amount a planning consultant charges for each hour of professional work.
For example, if a consultant charges £150 per hour and spends five hours on a project, the professional fee would be £750 before any applicable VAT or additional expenses.
However, planning work is rarely as simple as multiplying an hourly rate by a single task.
A consultant may spend time:
- Reviewing planning history
- Researching policies
- Assessing plans
- Speaking with the client
- Communicating with the council
- Preparing planning statements
- Reviewing consultation responses
- Negotiating changes
- Responding to requests for information
This is why two consultants with similar hourly rates can produce very different total fees.
What Is the Typical Planning Consultant Hourly Rate?
There is no official national rate.
HomeOwners Alliance currently gives a rough range of £130–£215 per hour for an individual consultant. Checkatrade reports an average of around £215 per hour, while other planning sources cite wider ranges, sometimes from approximately £75 to £250 or more depending on the level of service.
These figures are market indications rather than regulated prices.
A junior consultant, senior consultant, specialist adviser or planning practice may all use different pricing structures.
The best way to compare quotations is therefore to look at the expected total cost and scope of work rather than the hourly rate alone.
What Affects the Hourly Rate?
Experience and seniority
A consultant with extensive experience in complex planning matters may charge more than someone at an earlier career stage.
Specialist knowledge
Some projects require specialist planning knowledge, such as heritage, Green Belt, development viability, or major residential development.
Location
Consultancy rates can vary by region. London and the South East, for example, can have different professional cost structures from other parts of the UK.
Project complexity
A consultant may need to spend considerably more time on a complicated proposal than on a straightforward householder application.
Urgency
Where work needs to be completed quickly, this can affect how the consultant structures the service and resources the project.
How Much Does a Planning Consultant Cost in Total?
The hourly rate does not tell you the total cost.
Consider two hypothetical examples.
A consultant charging £150 per hour may spend three hours reviewing a straightforward proposal. The professional fee would be £450 before VAT.
For a complex project, the same consultant might spend 20 hours reviewing policies, preparing a planning statement, communicating with the council and supporting negotiations. At the same rate, that would be £3,000 before VAT.
This illustrates why asking for an estimate of the likely number of hours can be just as important as asking about the hourly rate.
Hourly Rate vs Fixed Fee
An hourly rate is not always the best pricing model.
For a clearly defined service, a fixed fee can provide greater certainty.
For example, a consultant may quote a fixed amount for:
- An initial planning assessment
- A planning statement
- Preparing a specific application
- A pre-application submission
- Responding to a refusal
Hourly charging can be more appropriate where the scope is uncertain, such as negotiations with the local authority.
Some consultants also use staged fees, allowing clients to agree to the next stage after the initial work is complete.
What Should You Ask About the Hourly Rate?
Before instructing a planning consultant, ask:
- Is the rate inclusive or exclusive of VAT?
- Who will carry out the work?
- Is there a minimum charge?
- How will time be recorded?
- How many hours are expected?
- Is there a maximum or agreed budget?
- What happens if the work takes longer?
- Are meetings included?
- Are correspondence and phone calls charged?
- Are expenses charged separately?
The RTPI’s professional standards emphasise clear written terms and say that an hourly rate without an upper limit or estimate of hours is not normally sufficient.
When Is an Hourly Rate Useful?
Hourly charging can work well when you need limited or flexible advice.
For example, you may want a consultant to:
- Review an existing proposal
- Explain a planning refusal
- Assess a planning condition
- Review a council officer’s comments
- Advise on whether to proceed
- Provide input into a design
You may not need full application management for these tasks.
Planning Build’s planning permission advice can be useful where you need professional planning guidance before deciding on the next step.
When Might a Fixed Fee Be Better?
A fixed fee can be easier to budget for when the work is clearly defined.
For example, if you need a consultant to prepare and submit a specific planning application, you may prefer to agree a fixed professional fee covering a defined scope.
However, check whether the quote includes post-submission work.
A consultant might prepare the application for a fixed fee but charge separately for responding to additional council requests, amendments or an appeal.
Do You Need a Planning Consultant at All?
Not necessarily.
Many straightforward applications can be submitted by property owners themselves.
However, professional advice can be useful where the proposal is complicated or the planning position is uncertain.
This may include:
- Major developments
- New housing
- Green Belt sites
- Conservation areas
- Listed buildings
- Previous refusals
- Changes of use
- Difficult planning policy issues
Our feasibility advice and planning strategy service can help establish the planning position at an early stage.
Planning Consultant Hourly Rate: FAQs
What is the average planning consultant hourly rate?
There is no official average. Current consumer guidance suggests around £130–£215 per hour for an individual consultant, while other sources give broader ranges.
Is a higher hourly rate always more expensive?
Not necessarily. A consultant with a higher rate may require fewer hours to complete a particular task. Compare the expected total fee and scope rather than the rate alone.
Do planning consultants charge VAT?
Many professional services are subject to VAT. Check whether VAT is included in the quoted rate before comparing prices.
Can I negotiate a planning consultant’s hourly rate?
Rates may be negotiable depending on the project and scope, but it is often more useful to agree a clear scope or maximum budget.
Can planning consultants offer fixed fees?
Yes. Fixed and staged fees are common alternatives to hourly billing.
Get Planning Advice
The planning consultant hourly rate is useful when comparing professional services, but it should never be considered in isolation.
Planning Build can help you understand the planning requirements for your project and determine what level of professional support may be appropriate.
If you need planning advice for a proposed development, contact Planning Build to discuss your requirements.
