Guide
Preliminary ecological appraisal cost: what UK ecologists publish
Updated
A preliminary ecological appraisal costs a median of £399.50 across the 12 UK ecology consultancies that print a PEA price on their own page, with a spread of £275 to £700, read in October 2026. It is usually the first survey a council asks for, and it says whether any further protected species surveys are needed.
The published prices
| Consultancy | Published price |
|---|---|
| Ecology Service | surveys from £275 + VAT |
| Devon and Cornwall Ecology | from £360 plus records |
| LHB Ecology | from £400 |
| Elton Ecology | from £450 |
| Chase Ecology | from £498 |
| Arbtech | from £599 |
| Smart Ecology | from £649 |
| JCA (York) | around £700 |
Sources: Ecology Service, Devon and Cornwall Ecology, LHB Ecology, Elton Ecology, Chase Ecology, Arbtech, Smart Ecology and JCA. Across the 12 consultancies that publish a PEA price, the median is £399.50 and the range £275 to £700 (every row, with its source).
What a PEA covers
An ecologist reviews existing records for the area, walks the site, maps its habitats and looks for signs of protected species or habitat that could support them. The report recommends whether further surveys, such as a bat or great crested newt survey, are needed before the application can be decided.
What moves the price
- Site size
- A larger or more varied site takes longer to walk and map.
- Records
- Some firms add the local records centre's charge for a data search on top of the survey fee.
- Travel
- A local ecologist is often cheaper for a small site.
- What follows
- If the appraisal finds signs of a protected species, the further surveys are priced separately and may only be possible at certain times of year.
What to ask before you book
- Is the records search included in the price?
- Does the report include recommendations for any further surveys and when they can be done?
- Is the price fixed for your site, or does it change with the site area?
Published figures are what each ecology consultancy advertises on its own page, read through our fetch box on the date shown. A 'from' price is the firm's floor, not the price of your survey.