Home-Based specialist business consultant

Owners of small and medium-sized businesses, charities and start-ups who need expert help but cannot justify a full-time hire.

Day rates, fixed project fees or a monthly retainer for ongoing advice. A few regular retainer clients make income steadier than one-off projects.

• Deep knowledge of one specialist area
• Clear writing and explaining
• Listening and problem solving
• Self-discipline and managing your own time

• Professional indemnity insurance, which many clients expect; check what cover you need
• Check your employment contract for restrictions or non-compete clauses if you are leaving a job
• Check whether your home insurance, landlord or mortgage lender allows you to work from home
• Some advice areas, such as financial or legal advice, are regulated; check whether your topic needs authorisation
• Income can be uneven at first, so keep a cash buffer and plan for tax bills
• Watch for clients paying late; use clear payment terms

Startup costs are typically around £200 to £1,500, depending on your equipment, software, insurance and how you find clients. This is an estimate, so price up your own set-up before you begin.

Monthly revenue is typically around £800 to £6,000, depending on your specialism, rates and how many clients you take on. You might start at about 6 hours a week. Income can be uneven at first.

Check what professional indemnity cover clients expect, and whether your employment contract has non-compete clauses. Check that your home insurance, landlord or mortgage lender allows home working, and whether your advice area, such as financial or legal, is regulated.