Modified on: August 2026

How Much Does a Financial Adviser Cost? (2026 Guide)

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How Much Does a Financial Adviser Cost in 2026?

If you have £200,000 or more to invest, you deserve a straight answer on adviser fees. This article gives you one.

We cover what UK advisers typically charge, what we charge at Frazer James, and how to judge whether advice is worth it.

What Do UK Financial Advisers Typically Charge?

Fees vary widely across the industry. In general terms, UK advisers typically charge 1–3% as an initial fee. Ongoing annual fees typically run between 0.5% and 1% of assets under management.

On a £500,000 portfolio, that could mean £5,000 upfront and £2,500–£5,000 every year thereafter.

Some advisers charge flat fees or hourly rates instead. Hourly rates commonly range from £150 to £350 per hour.

The structure matters as much as the number. Always ask what you get for the fee, not just what the fee is.

Is Financial Advice Worth It?

That depends on your situation. We explore this question in detail here.

For straightforward needs, advice may not be necessary. For complex situations, good advice often pays for itself many times over.

Consider what is at stake. A well-structured pension drawdown strategy, for example, can save tens of thousands in unnecessary tax. A poorly timed investment decision can cost just as much.

The right adviser earns their fee. The wrong one does not. Knowing the difference before you commit is the challenge.

How Frazer James Fees Work

We are a Bristol-based chartered financial planning firm. Our fee structure is designed to be transparent, fair, and proportionate to the value we deliver.

No Initial Fees

We do not charge for the early stages of working together. Our process has three stages before any ongoing fee applies.

Discovery: £0
Stage 1 financial plan: £0
Stage 2 advice and implementation: £0

You receive a full financial plan and clear recommendations before you pay us anything. We believe that is how it should be.

Ongoing Annual Fees

Our ongoing fees range from 0.30% to 0.90% per annum. The minimum annual fee is £3,000, which means we work with clients with assets of £200,000 or more.

We guarantee no fee increase in your first 12 months. Our fees are normally VAT exempt. Platform and fund costs are separate and will be set out clearly in your plan.

The table below shows exactly how our tiered fee structure works.

Asset Band	Fee Rate	Notes
Under £500,000	0.50% plus £2,000 retainer	Minimum fee £3,000 per year
£500,000 to £1,000,000	0.90% on total assets	Drawdown fee of £500 per year waived
£1,000,000 to £2,000,000	0.90% on first £1m, then 0.70% on the excess	Drawdown fee waived
£2,000,000 to £3,000,000	As above, plus 0.50% on assets above £2m	Drawdown fee waived
Over £3,000,000	As above, plus 0.30% on assets above £3m	Drawdown fee waived

Worked Example: £1,500,000 Portfolio

A client with £1,500,000 in assets would pay £12,500 per year in ongoing adviser fees.

That breaks down as follows:

0.90% on the first £1,000,000 = £9,000
0.70% on the remaining £500,000 = £3,500
Total: £12,500 per year

This covers comprehensive ongoing financial planning, not just investment management. Find out what our financial planning service includes.

The Drawdown Fee

We charge £500 per year for clients in pension drawdown. This fee is waived entirely for clients with assets of £500,000 or more.

What Our Fees Cover

Our ongoing fee is not simply a charge for holding your investments. It covers a full financial planning relationship, including:

Annual financial planning reviews
Tax planning and pension strategy
Inheritance tax and estate planning
Investment oversight and rebalancing
Access to your adviser when you need them

We only take on clients where we are confident we can add substantially more value than we charge. That is not a marketing line. It is how we run the business.

The Frazer James Fee Guarantee

We are so confident in the value we deliver that we offer a 100% money-back guarantee. If you do not feel the advice was worth it, we will refund our fee. No argument, no small print.

You will be the judge of that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you charge VAT on your fees?

Our fees are normally VAT exempt. We will confirm this clearly in your client agreement before any fees are charged.

Are platform and fund costs included in your fee?

No. Platform and fund costs are separate. We will set these out clearly in your personalised recommendation so you can see the full cost of advice before committing.

What is the minimum amount you work with?

Our minimum ongoing fee is £3,000 per year. This means we typically work with clients who have investable assets of £200,000 or more.

Will my fees increase in the first year?

No. We guarantee no fee increase in your first 12 months as a client. After that, any changes will be communicated clearly and in advance.

Ready to Find Out What Advice Could Do for You?

We offer a no-obligation initial consultation. You will meet one of our chartered planners, discuss your situation, and receive a clear sense of whether we are the right fit.

There is no fee for the discovery stage, no pressure, and no commitment required.

Book your free consultation with Frazer James today.

About The Author

Chris Hindle

Chris is the Co-Founder and a Chartered Associate at Frazer James Financial Advisers. With over a decade in financial planning, he specialises in research, technical analysis, and firm operations, helping ensure clients receive clear, well-structured financial advice.

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