Practical preparation · Separate consultancy support
Start with recurring needs
A retainer is most useful when there is a continuing set of tasks to organise. Explain whether you need a UK point of contact, adviser follow-up, project reporting or attendance at agreed meetings.
- List regular tasks and the decisions they support.
- Identify expected frequency and realistic response arrangements.
- Separate recurring support from one-off specialist assignments.
Specify the output and boundaries
A clear scope describes what is included, who provides inputs and who remains responsible for the decisions. Do not assume a retainer gives unlimited availability or authority to sign contracts.
- Agree reports, meeting notes and action registers.
- Record approval limits and the authorised contact.
- Set out travel, third-party costs and additional-work arrangements.
Review whether the arrangement is useful
Use a review point to compare agreed outputs with the work delivered. Track completed actions, unresolved dependencies and the next decisions, then adjust the scope if the project changes.
- Agree reporting recipients and confidentiality arrangements.
- Confirm the fee, billing schedule and ending provisions.
- Keep changes to scope and authority in writing.
Bring to the first conversation
- Main objective and recurring UK tasks
- Expected meetings, outputs and reporting frequency
- Authorised decision-maker and existing advisers
- Budget range, start date and preferred review point
Start with an outline. Send sensitive documents only through the secure route agreed with Jack.
Your questions, answered
Is a retainer required for every project?
No. A defined one-off assignment may suit a viewing, meeting or short piece of coordination. Discuss the work first so the engagement can fit the need.
Link to this answerDoes a consultancy retainer include mortgage advice?
Mortgage and protection advice and separate consultancy work have distinct scopes and arrangements. Ask for clarity on which engagement covers each task and how the fees are agreed.
Link to this answerPrepared for Jack Cousins’s website · 12 October 2026. About Jack · How site content is prepared. The agreed consultancy scope does not replace legal, tax, valuation or investment advice.