How much does an IR35 contract review cost?
In short: HMRC's CEST tool is free but doesn't read your contract. An AI-assisted contract report like ours costs £9 and takes minutes. A specialist contract review typically costs £49–£125 or more and takes one to five working days, and a combined contract and working-practices review sits at the top of that range.
Your options compared
| Option | Typical cost | Turnaround | Reads your contract? |
|---|---|---|---|
| HMRC CEST tool | Free | Minutes | No |
| Free online checkers | Free | Minutes | No |
| IR35 Checker report | £9 | Usually 1–3 minutes | Yes, plus working practices |
| Specialist contract-only review | Around £49+ | 1–5 working days | Yes |
| Specialist full review (contract and working practices) | Around £125+ | 1–5 working days | Yes |
Prices are based on published UK prices in 2026 and exclude VAT where shown that way by providers. Some IR35 insurance policies include a review.
Which should you choose?
- Before you sign a new contract: an instant report tells you which clauses to push back on while you still have leverage.
- Your client is small (so you decide your status): a documented review is part of showing reasonable care — consider a specialist review for high-value engagements.
- You've received an inside-IR35 SDS you disagree with: use a report to structure your challenge.
- You're under HMRC enquiry: go straight to a specialist adviser.
Is it tax-deductible?
A contract review bought by your limited company for its business is normally an allowable expense. Keep the receipt, and check with your accountant.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
Check your own contract
Upload your contract and answer 12 questions. You'll get a clause-by-clause IR35 risk report with suggested wording — usually in 1–3 minutes, for £9.