What does a legionella risk assessment price include?

A legionella risk assessment price usually covers the professional work required to examine relevant water systems, evaluate the risk of exposure and produce documented findings for the responsible person. The quotation should make clear which premises, systems, areas and deliverables are included, as well as any work that falls outside the assessment.

Typical inclusions are:

• Assessment planning: confirming the site details, assessment scope, access requirements and any limitations that could affect the inspection.
• Competent assessor time: professional time spent inspecting the installation and considering how water is stored, heated, distributed and used. This can include domestic hot and cold water systems, showers, taps, tanks, calorifiers and other relevant outlets or equipment present on the premises.
• Risk evaluation: consideration of factors such as water stagnation, temperature control, dead legs, low-use outlets, system condition, maintenance arrangements and the potential exposure of people using the building. Where relevant, the assessment also considers whether occupants or visitors may be particularly susceptible to illness.
• Review of existing arrangements: examination of how legionella control is managed, including responsibilities, monitoring, maintenance and escalation arrangements. This helps identify gaps between the documented arrangements and what is happening in practice.
• Written findings: a formal report describing the systems assessed, significant observations, identified risks and practical recommendations. A useful report should allow the responsible person to understand what requires attention and why.
• Action prioritisation: recommendations may be grouped according to their significance or urgency, helping the client distinguish immediate control issues from matters that can be addressed through planned improvement work.
• Professional advice on next steps: depending on the agreed scope, the assessor may explain the findings and identify suitable follow-on requirements, such as changes to monitoring, maintenance or written control arrangements.

Items that may be separate from the assessment price

A risk assessment is not automatically the same as water testing, remedial work or ongoing system monitoring. Laboratory sampling, temperature monitoring, cleaning and disinfection, replacement of defective components, drawing updates, written-scheme preparation, follow-up visits and repeat assessments may be quoted separately unless they are expressly included.

The price can also change where the scope expands during the work. Examples include additional buildings, several separate water systems, inaccessible plant, specialist equipment, incomplete site information or a requirement to assess areas not identified in the original brief. A clear quotation should state whether these matters are included, excluded or chargeable only if they arise.

Before accepting a price, the client should check that it identifies the premises and systems covered, the expected report, any assumptions about access and information, whether expenses or laboratory work are included, and the treatment of follow-up advice. Comparing quotations on scope and deliverables, rather than headline cost alone, gives a more accurate view of what the assessment provides.