Understanding our fees
Our fees explained
At Cohesion, clarity and transparency are central to how we work. We want it to be easy for you to understand the fees that apply to your situation – whether you’re exploring financial planning, mortgages, equity release and protection, or commercial and corporate services.
Each area has its own straightforward fee structure, designed with fairness and flexibility in mind. We’ll walk you through exactly what you’ll pay, when you’ll pay it, and why. Everything is agreed upfront, so there are no surprises. Our aim is to give you the information you need to feel informed, reassured, and confident at every step.
Understanding our Financial Planning fees
Your first step. No cost, no obligation
Understanding your finances should feel empowering, not overwhelming. Our relaxed, no-obligation initial meeting is free of charge and gives you the space to talk through your goals. We’ll also provide a clear indication of any fees that may apply, so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
Our solutions
We offer three solutions designed to grow and adapt with you. We understand that life changes so we make it simple to move between them as your circumstances and priorities evolve, ensuring you always have the right level of support. Please visit the Personal Financial Solutions for more information.
Solution | What’s included | Financial Planning fees* (GBP) |
Core | Clear, essential financial planning that supports your goals and priorities. | £1,000 |
Wealth | Comprehensive planning and wealth management tailored to your life goals | £1,500 |
Tailored | Bespoke planning where more specialist or complex situations arise, additional expert support and guidance | £1,500 minimum** |
*our fees are not usually subject to VAT. If VAT does apply we will discuss with you ahead of time. **subject to requirements, volume and complexity of the work required we will agree an estimated fee ahead of working together.
Financial planning fees include the review of up to three existing investment and pension plans within the Core Solution and up to five within the Wealth and Tailored Solutions, additional plans will be charged at £100 per plan.
Implementation fees
Putting your plan into action comes with transparent, straightforward fees which are based on the value of assets we advise on (investments and pensions):
1% on the first £1,500,000 invested, then 0.50% on any amount over £1,500,000. Regular premium investments: 1% per premium in the first 36 months.Ongoing service fees
To keep your plan aligned with your goals and changing market conditions, we charge transparent, straightforward fees which are based on the value of assets we advise on (investments and pensions):
0.75% per annum on the first £1,500,000, then 0.50% per annum on any amount over £1,500,000.Third party fees
Third party fees for platforms and investment managers are charged separately and independently. We will explain those charges ahead of any commitment to progress.
What does this look like in practice?
Understanding numbers is easier with real examples. Here are a few to give you context:
Case Study 1: Core Service
Client: Alex & Jamie
Assets: £245,000
Solution: Core
- Financial planning fee: £1,000
- Implementation fee: £2,450 (1% of portfolio)
- Ongoing Service fee: £1,837.50/year (0.75%)
- How it helped them: Starting a retirement plan, aligning investments with their ethical views and the knowledge that annual reviews will help keep them on track.
- What it meant for them: Confidence to plan their future together without worry, feeling secure about their next steps and peace of mind knowing their investments are in line with their ethical values.
Case Study 2: Wealth Service
Client: Priya
Assets: £800,000
Solution: Wealth
- Financial planning fee: £1,500
- Implementation fee: £8,000 (1% of portfolio)
- Ongoing Service fee: £6,000/year (0.75%)
- How it helped her: Full financial strategy, investment oversight and retirement planning.
- What it meant for her: Peace of mind knowing her wealth was carefully managed and her hard-earned wealth can be passed on to her family helping them with their own goals in the future.
Case Study 3: Tailored Service
Client: David & Samantha
Assets: £2 million
Solution: Tailored
- Financial planning fee: £4,500*
- Implementation fee: £10,000 (0.5% of portfolio)
- How it helped them: Complex intergenerational wealth transfer, trust setup, and tax planning.
- What it meant for them: Relief and reassurance from knowing their family legacy was protected and a better understanding of the complexity.
* Due to the complexity of the planning involved, this case was subject to the minimum fee of £1,500 plus ten additional hours work by the Chartered Wealth Manager which was agreed at the start of the process.
Why our fees represent fair value
- Transparent and upfront so you always know what you’re paying and why.
- No hidden extras – all fees agreed before work begins.
- Tailored to you to ensure your service level matches your personal circumstances.
- Adaptable to allow you to move between tiers as your life changes.
- Goal-aligned by providing ongoing support keeps you moving toward your objectives.
Empowering, not overwhelming
Finance can feel complex, but it shouldn’t be confusing. Whenever you see terms you don’t recognise, visit our Financial Language Guide for straightforward, jargon-free explanations or please ask us.
Understanding our Mortgage, Equity Release & Protection fees
Your first step. No cost, no obligation
Big financial decisions can feel overwhelming, whether you’re choosing a mortgage, exploring equity release, or putting protection in place. That’s why we offer a relaxed initial meeting at no cost to you – a chance to talk through your goals, understand your options, and get a feel for how we work.
During this meeting, we’ll also give you a clear indication of the fees that may apply, so you can make decisions with confidence from the very beginning.
Mortgage advice fees
Our mortgage fees are structured to be fair, transparent and easy to understand. Rate switches, lender retention offers, and product transfers (with no extra borrowing) are not subject to an application fee or minimum fee.
Here’s how everything works, in three simple steps.
1. What you pay upfront
When we submit your mortgage application, you pay a non-refundable Application Fee:
- Residential & consumer buy-to-let: £250
- Commercial buy-to-let: £500
2. What the lender pays
Once your mortgage completes, the lender pays us a procuration fee (commission).
We’ll tell you the expected amount before the application is submitted.
3. Our minimum fee
Each type of mortgage has a minimum total fee:
- Residential mortgage: £1,000
- Consumer buy-to-let: £1,500
- Commercial buy-to-let: £2,000
If the application Fee + procuration fee doesn’t reach the minimum fee, we simply invoice you for the difference on completion. There are no extra charges beyond this.
Equity Release advice fees
For clients aged 55+ who own their home, we offer specialist advice on equity release and retirement interest-only (RIO) mortgages. Our fees are designed to be transparent and straightforward, with everything agreed before we begin.
How our fees work
Here’s how the different parts of your total equity release fee come together:
1. Application fee
£500 (non-refundable) is payable when we submit your application to a lender.
2. Procuration fee (commission)
This is paid to us by the equity release provider on completion. We’ll confirm the exact amount before submitting your application.
3. Minimum fee
Our minimum total fee for equity release advice is £2000. If the application and procuration fee is less than £2,000, we invoice you for the difference on completion. There are no extra charges beyond this.
Protection advice fees
We act as an independent insurance intermediary, offering protection advice based on a fair and personal analysis of the market. Our aim is to help you arrange cover that fits your needs, clearly and confidently.
How we’re paid
Here’s how protection advice fees work, depending on the route you choose:
1. Commission option (most common)
With this option we will receive commission directly from the provider once your policy starts.
2. Fee option
Instead of the commission option, you can choose to pay us a fee directly. This fee is £1,000 for the first policy and £750 for subsequent policies. If you choose to pay this way the premiums on your policy will reduce.
3. Minimum fee (for standalone protection – not mortgage related or part of a broader financial plan)
If you choose a commission route and the commission received is below £1,000, we invoice you for the difference when the policy goes ‘on risk’ (when cover begins).
Commission cap
To ensure fairness, any commission received (after discounts) is capped at:
£2,500 per plan
Protection fees and discounts
If you opt for the commission option, we provide discounts of up to 50% on standard commission terms if policies are taken alongside a mortgage, or 25% if arranged on a standalone basis.
What does this look like in practice?
First-time buyer mortgage
Client: Sarah
Assets: Property Value: £350,000 (mortgage requirement £332,500)
Fees:
£250 payable on application plus procuration fee received from lender means no additional fee paid as these exceeded the minimum fee level.
- How it helped her: Access to a competitive mortgage rate with expert guidance through every stage of the process, from decision in principle to completion.
- What it meant for her: Peace of mind and confidence as she bought her first home, with the reassurance of having a trusted adviser to handle the details.
Equity Release for retirement lifestyle
Client: Robert & Helen
Assets: Property Value: £450,000 (Equity Release requirement of £100,000)
Fees:
£500 payable on application plus procuration fee received from lender means no additional fee paid as these exceeded the minimum fee level.
- How it helped them: released funds to make home improvements and create a retirement travel budget, while keeping ownership of their home.
- What it meant for them: freedom to enjoy the retirement they’d dreamed of, without financial strain or needing to move from the home they love.
Family protection taken whilst arranging a mortgage
Client: Reece & Sophie
Fees:
No direct advice fee – discounted commission from the provider for Life & Critical Illness cover
- How it helped them: comprehensive cover to ensure their family’s financial security if the unexpected happened, with premiums tailored to their budget.
- What it meant for them: comfort in knowing their children’s future was protected and that they’d taken a positive, proactive step for their family’s wellbeing.
Why our fees represent fair value
- Transparent and upfront – so you always know what you’re paying and why.
- No hidden extras – all fees agreed before work begins.
- Tailored to you – your service level matches your personal circumstances.
- Adaptable – move between tiers as your life changes.
- Goal-aligned – ongoing support keeps you moving toward your objectives.
Empowering, not overwhelming
Finance can feel complex, but it shouldn’t be confusing. Whenever you see terms you don’t recognise, visit our Financial Language Guide for straightforward, jargon-free explanations or please ask us.
Understanding our Corporate & Commercial fees
Commercial and corporate financial solutions can be wide-ranging and highly specialised. From protecting key people in your business, to arranging shareholder or partnership protection agreements, protecting business lending arrangements, commercial property finance, or group risk schemes – no two cases are the same.
For this reason, our fees for commercial and corporate services are bespoke and tailored to your business’s needs, the scope of the work, and the complexity of your requirements. We believe in being transparent, but also fair. Every business is different, so a one-size-fits-all fee wouldn’t reflect the true nature of the work or the value we deliver. By discussing your needs first, we can provide a clear, personalised fee proposal before any work begins so you’ll always know exactly what’s included and what it will cost.
Your next step
If you’d like to explore how we can support your business, the best first step is a no-cost, no-obligation conversation with us. We’ll gain clarity about your business, understand your priorities, and following this will be able to outline how we can help along with a clear, tailored fee proposal.
Your next step
If you’d like to explore how we can support you or your business, the best first step is a no-cost, no-obligation conversation with us.
Connect with usOur commitments
We believe great financial advice is built on trust, transparency, and doing the right thing, every time. That’s why we align ourselves with respected charters and organisations that hold us to the highest standards of care, ethics, and client protection.
These commitments shape how we work, how we make decisions and how we support the people and communities we serve.
