Building consultant for small developers

Small property developers, landlords, investors and businesses managing building work.

Monthly retainers, day rates or fixed fees per project stage, often with repeat work from the same clients.

• Strong construction or project management background
• Cost estimating and contract knowledge
• Confident negotiating with contractors
• Good record keeping and reporting

• Professional indemnity insurance is especially important on larger projects; check the cover level clients expect
• Make sure contracts set out your responsibilities and limits, and take legal advice on your terms
• Check whether any of the work requires specific qualifications or registration, such as for design or health and safety roles
• Clients can be slow to pay, so agree payment terms and consider staged invoices
• A few big clients can mean uneven income if one project ends

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £8,000, depending on your equipment, insurance level and how you set up. These are estimates. Remember to budget for professional indemnity cover and legal advice on your contract terms.

Monthly revenue is typically around £2,500 to £10,000, depending on the number and size of the projects you take on. Relying on a few big clients can make income uneven if one project ends, so treat these as estimates.

Check what level of professional indemnity insurance clients expect, especially on larger projects. Also check whether any of your work needs specific qualifications or registration, such as design or health and safety roles, and make sure contracts set out your responsibilities and limits.