Consulting Fee Calculator
Work out the consulting rates you need to charge to hit your income goal. Accounts for your realistic billable utilisation, expenses, and preferred pricing model — hourly, daily, retainer, or project.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set my consulting rate in the UK?
Start with the annual income you want to take home, add your business expenses, then divide by your billable days. Most consultants are only 50–70% utilised — meaning roughly 110–154 days per year are actually spent on paid client work. Divide your required revenue by those billable days to get your day rate, then derive an hourly or retainer rate from that.
What is billable utilisation and why does it matter?
Utilisation is the percentage of your working time spent on paid client work. The rest goes on business development, admin, training, and gaps between contracts. If you set your rate assuming 100% utilisation but only achieve 60%, you will earn 40% less than planned. The calculator lets you adjust this figure to reflect your actual working pattern.
Should I charge hourly, daily, or use a retainer?
Each model suits different work. Hourly billing is transparent and fair for unpredictable projects. Day rates are common for on-site or contracted engagements. Retainers give you predictable monthly income and clients a reserved block of your time — ideal for ongoing advisory or support work. Project-based pricing rewards efficiency and is attractive to clients who want cost certainty.
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