How Much Does a Data Health Check or MOT Cost for a UK Small Business?
A data and reporting health check from Clear Data Consulting currently costs £400 (excluding travel expenses) at the introductory rate. It takes one to two days, on-site or remote, and gives you a documented picture of your data systems, a data health score, and a prioritised list of recommendations.
Prices from other providers vary widely depending on scope, so it's worth knowing exactly what you're paying for.
What is a data health check?
A data health check is a short, structured review of how your business collects, stores, and reports on its data. Most small businesses have data spread across several tools, such as accounting software, a CRM, spreadsheets, and ad platforms. Few have a clear map of how it all connects.
The aim is to answer three questions:
What data do we have, and where does it live?
Which reports and metrics do we actually rely on?
What's missing or unreliable?
What's included in the £400 introductory rate?
Core data systems documented: foundational sources that hold business data.
Core metrics and reports documented: what you currently use to make decisions.
Business and information objectives captured: what you need to know, and why.
A data health score: a clear measure (from 0% to 100%) of where you stand today.
Gap analysis and recommendations: what to fix first, and what to build next.
How long does it take?
Between one and two days, depending on the size of your business and the number of systems involved. It can be done remotely or on-site. Clear Data Consulting works on-site with businesses in Scarborough, York, Middlesbrough, and Hull; and with clients across the UK remotely.
Who is it for?
A health check suits you if:
You're not sure which reports you can trust.
Reporting still means manually copying data into spreadsheets.
You're planning to invest in new software or AI tools and want a solid foundation first.
You want a clear plan before committing to bigger projects.
What happens afterwards?
You receive a documented summary and a set of recommendations. What you do next is up to you. Many clients move on to building automated reporting applications or ongoing strategic support, but the health check stands alone and is yours to keep.
Is it worth it?
Consider what unclear data already costs you: hours spent on manual reporting, decisions made on figures nobody quite trusts, and software bought without a clear need. A health check shows you where those costs are hiding before you spend more.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a data health check cost?
At the time of writing, £400 at an introductory rate. Check the Data and Reporting Health Check page for current pricing.
Do I need to be technical to benefit?
No. The process is designed for business owners and managers, and the results are explained in plain language.
Can it be done remotely?
Yes. It can be done fully remote or on site.
What if I don't have much data?
That's fine. Even a handful of systems benefit from being documented, and it's easier to build good habits early.
Request a free consultation to talk through whether a health check is right for you.
Written by Matthew Bryant, Principal Consultant at Clear Data Consulting, a data and analytics leader with over 15 years of experience across retail, manufacturing, and service industries.