Guide · First meeting
What does a free financial adviser consultation mean?
A free initial conversation can be useful. It does not mean the regulated advice and implementation that follow are free.
What can be free?
Some advisers offer an initial meeting or discovery call without charge. That conversation may cover your goals, whether the adviser can help, their service and what later advice would cost.
Free meeting is not the same as free regulated advice
Be careful with unsolicited claims of free pension or investment advice. MoneyHelper warns that pension and investment advice has to be paid for, and suspicious offers can be a scam signal.
What should you ask?
Where does the free part end?Know exactly when a paid service begins.
What will paid advice cost?Ask for the charging model and likely cash amount.
Am I committing to anything?A free first meeting should not create ambiguity about later fees.
How are you paid?Understand adviser fees and any commission where relevant to the type of business.
Use the free meeting to test fit
The most useful outcome may simply be deciding that the adviser is or is not right for you. Specialism, minimums, communication style and fee clarity are all worth testing.
Sources & further reading