What does a FRAEW cost? The factors that set the fee.

Why FRAEW fees vary

A FRAEW to PAS 9980:2026 is proportionate. Where good drawings, specifications and records exist, more of the appraisal can rely on them. Where records are missing, or the building differs from its original design after years of refurbishment, the assessor has to open up the wall to see what is actually there. That brings access equipment, more time on site and making good. Two blocks that look alike from the street can therefore need very different scopes.

What affects the fee

We don't publish fixed prices, because no two buildings need the same scope. Each FRAEW is priced from the building information you send, and we confirm a written fee before you instruct. The main factors are:

• Building height and number of storeys.
• Size of the building: the number of blocks, elevations and the wall area to inspect.
• Wall types: how many different wall build-ups, balconies and other attachments there are.
• The type of powered access needed, such as a MEWP or cherry picker, a mast climber, or working from existing scaffold.
• The number of days on site, which follows from the above and from how many openings are needed.
• Opening-up and making good: whether intrusive investigation is needed, and how much.
• The information available: drawings, the fire strategy, O&M records and previous reports.
• Programme: any funding, sale or remediation deadlines.

One point of contact. Our own in-house contracting team provides the access, opening-up and making good, so you deal with one firm for the whole FRAEW. There is no separate contractor to find, appoint or co-ordinate, and no waiting for their availability.

Desktop review or intrusive survey?

The biggest single cost decision is whether the wall build-ups can be confirmed from records or need to be opened up. We review what you have first and only scope openings where the evidence requires them. When openings are needed, we keep them small and targeted, at the locations that answer the questions the appraisal needs answered. See cladding intrusive investigations.

How our in-house team affects the cost

Because our own contracting team provides the powered access, the openings and the making good, there is no separate contractor to procure, co-ordinate or wait for. The inspection and the openings happen in the same visit, which keeps the number of days on site, and the access hire that goes with them, to what the building actually needs.

Can the Cladding Safety Scheme pay for it?

Where a building is eligible for the Cladding Safety Scheme, the cost of the FRAEW itself can be reimbursed. The FRAEW must be carried out by an assessor on the Homes England panel; we are Homes England approved assessors.

Costs across a portfolio

For a portfolio, we build the fee up building by building from the same factors, after a desktop triage that identifies which buildings need a full FRAEW. Grouping inspections by location and building type helps to keep travel and access set-up efficient. We have the capacity to undertake portfolios of 50+ properties. See portfolio FRAEW programmes.

What to send for a quote

• The building address and postcode.
• Height or number of storeys, and the number of blocks.
• How the building is used, and the number of flats if known.
• The current fire risk assessment and any fire strategy.
• Drawings, specifications or O&M records, if available.
• Any previous FRAEW, EWS1 or façade reports.
• Your deadline and the reason for the FRAEW, for example a Cladding Safety Scheme application, a sale or a fire risk assessment recommendation.

Don't worry if you don't have everything: where records are missing, we scope targeted opening-up to fill the gaps. Send the details to enquiries@mtconsult.co.uk or through our contact form, or call 0800 048 5229. We typically respond within one working day.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a FRAEW cost?

There is no standard price. The fee depends on the building's height and size, the number of wall types, the type of powered access needed, the number of days on site and how much opening-up is required. We confirm a written fee before you instruct.

Why do two similar buildings get different quotes?

Because the scope depends on the evidence as well as the building. A block with good records may need little or no opening-up, while a similar block with no records, or one that has been refurbished, needs more time on site and more openings.

Is opening-up always needed?

No. We only scope openings where the records cannot confirm the wall build-up or critical details such as cavity barriers. Where openings are needed, our in-house contracting team carries them out and makes good.

Can the cost of a FRAEW be reimbursed?

Where a building is eligible for the Cladding Safety Scheme, the cost of the FRAEW itself can be reimbursed, provided it is carried out by an assessor on the Homes England panel.

Will the fee change after the inspection?

We confirm the scope and fee in writing before you instruct. If the inspection finds something that needs more investigation than planned, we explain why and agree any change with you before it goes ahead.

Related reading