What Does Branding Really Cost in the UK? Your Honest Guide to Fees, Value and ROI
If you’re building a new brand or rebranding an existing one, the question of cost often comes up quickly. And in an industry that rarely puts prices on websites, getting a clear answer can be frustrating. So, what does branding really cost in the UK? And more importantly, what are you actually getting for your investment?
In this guide, we’ll break down what you can expect to pay for branding services in the UK, what affects those costs, and how to make sure you’re getting value for money.
Why is branding so important?
Branding is more than just a logo. It’s the sum of everything people think, feel and experience when they interact with your business. It gives your business personality, builds trust with your audience and helps you stand out in a crowded market.
A good brand can help you:
Increase perceived value and command higher prices
Win customer loyalty
Attract investors or partners
Launch new products with confidence
Expand into new markets
It’s the strategic foundation for every part of your business, from your website and social media presence to your packaging, product names and tone of voice.
What affects the cost of branding in the UK?
The cost of branding can vary massively depending on a few key factors:
1. The scope of work
Are you looking for a simple logo refresh, or a full brand creation with strategy, naming, tone of voice and visual identity design? A wider scope means more thinking time, more deliverables and more creative development — which all adds to the cost.
2. The experience of the branding partner
Whether you’re working with a freelancer, a boutique studio or a global agency, experience plays a huge part in pricing. Someone with 10–20 years in the game and a portfolio of strong work across your sector will usually charge more than someone just starting out.
3. The size and complexity of your business
A startup coffee shop and a fast-growing food brand with multiple sub-brands will have very different needs. If your brand has layers (products, sub-brands, internal teams, investors), that complexity requires a deeper level of strategic thinking and more stakeholder alignment.
4. Research and workshops
Some branding projects involve internal interviews, audience research, or positioning workshops to get clarity on your business and market. This upfront thinking adds cost, but also improves the quality and impact of the final brand.
Typical branding costs in the UK
As a general guide, here’s what you might expect to pay for branding services in the UK in 2025:
Freelancer or solo consultant:
Logo design only: £1,500–£3,000
Full brand identity: £4,000–£8,000
Strategy and positioning: £3,000–£6,000
Boutique branding studio:
Brand creation (strategy, naming, identity): £8,000–£20,000
Brand refresh or evolution: £6,000–£12,000
Visual identity only: £5,000–£9,000
Mid-sized or global agency:
Comprehensive branding programme: £20,000–£75,000+
Including stakeholder research, positioning, naming, brand architecture and identity design
These figures are rough guides and vary based on your location, timeline, brief and the specific partner you choose.
What should branding include?
Most strategic branding projects in the UK will include some combination of:
Brand discovery or audit
Strategy and positioning (values, purpose, proposition, audience)
Naming (business, product or sub-brand)
Tone of voice and messaging guidelines
Logo design and visual identity system (typography, colours, photography direction, etc.)
Brand guidelines or toolkit
Applications (e.g. packaging, signage, website design, social templates)
The best branding work feels thoughtful and cohesive, not just visually nice. It’s rooted in meaning, tailored to your goals, and designed to work across every part of your business.
Is branding worth the cost?
Absolutely — when done properly. Great branding isn’t about spending the most, but about making a smart investment that will return value over time.
Here are a few ways branding pays off:
You spend less time explaining what your business does
Your marketing works harder because it’s clearer and more consistent
You build a brand that people remember and trust
You attract the right customers, partners or investors
When you view branding as the foundation of your business rather than a cost centre, the value becomes obvious.
Final thoughts: how to get the most from your branding budget
Be clear on your goals and what you want branding to achieve
Don’t just compare prices — compare processes, chemistry, and quality of thinking
Look for work that feels both creative and commercially sharp
Treat your branding partner as an extension of your team
Remember that branding is a long-term asset, not a quick fix
If you’re a founder or marketing lead thinking about investing in branding, feel free to get in touch. I’m always happy to talk through where you are in your journey and whether branding could help you get to the next stage.
