Flood-resilience consultants

What a resilience consultant does

A flood-resilience consultant helps you move from knowing you are at risk to having a building that copes well with flooding. They combine technical knowledge of how buildings and water interact with practical experience of products, installers, funding and insurance. Some carry out surveys themselves; others work alongside independent surveyors and take on the planning and management of the work that follows.

For homeowners, a consultant can act as a trusted adviser through what is often an unfamiliar and stressful process. For businesses, landlords, housing associations and local authorities, they may manage programmes covering dozens or hundreds of properties.

Resistance and recoverability

Property flood resilience combines two approaches. Resistance measures aim to keep water out, using flood doors, barriers, air-brick covers, non-return valves and sealing of walls and service entries. Recoverability measures accept that water may enter and aim to reduce damage and speed up recovery, using water-resistant floors and wall finishes, raised electrics, resilient kitchens and joinery, and drainage that lets water escape.

A consultant helps decide the right balance for each property. Where floods are deep or long-lasting, trying to keep all water out may risk structural damage, and recoverability becomes more important. Where floods are shallow and short, resistance may prevent almost all damage. Most properties benefit from a combination.

How a consultant manages a project

A typical project begins with understanding the risk and the building, usually through an independent survey. The consultant then prepares a specification and schedule of works, advises on products that meet recognised standards, and obtains competitive quotations from suitable installers. They may help with grant applications or discussions with insurers.

During installation, the consultant can inspect the work, check that products have been fitted as specified, and confirm that seals, thresholds and any automatic devices work as intended. At handover, they should make sure the owner understands how to deploy and maintain every measure, and that all documentation, warranties and maintenance schedules are provided.

Community and multi-property schemes

Flooding affects streets and communities, not just individual buildings. Consultants often support community flood groups, parish councils and local authorities in delivering schemes across many properties at once. This can reduce costs, make funding applications stronger, and ensure that measures on neighbouring properties work together rather than simply diverting water next door.

For landlords and housing providers, consultants can prioritise a portfolio by risk, plan work around tenancies, and set up inspection and maintenance programmes so that measures remain effective over time.

Standards and guidance

Good consultants work to the CIRIA Code of Practice for property flood resilience, which sets out six standards covering hazard assessment, property survey, options development, construction, commissioning and handover, and operation and maintenance. Asking a consultant how they apply the Code is a useful way to understand their approach.

For products, look for measures tested to recognised standards such as the BSI Kitemark scheme for flood protection products. A consultant should be able to explain what each standard covers and what it does not.

Choosing a consultant

Ask about experience with properties like yours, whether they are independent of manufacturers and installers, how they charge (fixed fee, percentage or day rate), and whether they hold professional indemnity insurance. Ask for examples of completed projects and speak to previous clients if possible.

Flood Protection Finder profiles show each consultant's services, coverage areas, case studies and reviews. Verified profiles also record our identity, insurance and accreditation checks. We explain on every profile exactly what was checked and when, so you can make an informed choice.