Everything You Need to Know About Hiring an Environmental Consultant

So... What’s this environmental consulting all about?

If you’ve ever wondered what environmental consultants actually do, how much they cost, what it’s like to work with them, or whether you even need one, you’re not alone.

It’s a surprisingly hard question to answer because the reality is, “Environmental consultant” is a broad term that can mean very different things depending on who you’re talking to and what kind of work they do. The field is huge, the services are varied, and the job titles don’t always tell the full story.

Honestly, this is the kind of article that’s nearly impossible to write in a way that applies to everyone, but we’re going to do our best. We’ll walk through what environmental consultants really do (and don’t do), how they work, what it’s like to hire one, how much they cost, how long they stick around, what to watch for if you’re considering bringing one in, and more.

And if you want to skip all the reading and just talk to an environmental consultant, click here to get started. Okay, let’s jump in.

Table of Contents

• What do environmental consultants actually do?
• Are there different types of environmental consultants?
• Wait, if no consultant does everything, how can RMA build full programs?
• How does someone become an environmental consultant?
• What don't environmental consultants do?
• Why would you hire an environmental consultant?
• How much does it cost to hire an environmental consultant?
• How long does it take to work with an environmental consultant?
• What is it usually like to work with an environmental consultant?
• How should you pick an environmental consultant?
• How RMA Does Environmental Consulting

What Do Environmental Consultants Actually Do?

This is kind of like asking, “What does a mechanic do?” You’ll get a completely different answer depending on who you ask. Some mechanics work on cars at a dealership. Some fix refrigerators at your home. Some work on rocket ships. Some fix lawnmowers in the bed of their trucks. The word’s the same, but what they do varies wildly. Same thing with environmental consultants.

At a bird’s-eye level, environmental consultants are people who know a lot about the environment: how it works, how it’s being impacted, and how people, businesses, and governments can interact with it. And they help other people solve problems or make decisions that involve environmental issues. That’s about where the similarities end.

Some consultants focus on cleaning up contamination. Some write compliance plans to help companies stay on the right side of environmental laws. Some help big corporations lower their carbon footprint or meet sustainability goals. Others conduct impact studies for construction projects. Some work in labs. Some write reports. Some spend their days on job sites. Some never leave the office.

It really just depends on the consultant and the industry they serve. The only universal truth is that “environmental consultant” is a broad term. It doesn’t tell you much on its own.

So if you’re trying to figure out whether environmental consulting is something you need, or exactly who you should hire, don’t get hung up on the label "environmental consultant". Because at the end of the day, environmental consultants are just like mechanics - you don’t want the guy who works on lawnmowers changing out your car brakes.

For more reading, check out this guide on Hiring an Environmental Manager or Team.

Are There Different Types of Environmental Consultants?

There’s no master list of consultant “types” where you just pick the one that fits. It’s more like asking, “Are there different types of chefs?” Kind of? They all work with food, but one might run a taco truck, another might do molecular gastronomy, and a third just bakes wedding cakes out of a home kitchen. Same general field. Completely different tools, techniques, and outcomes. Environmental consulting is the same way.

Everyone under the umbrella is dealing with environmental issues, but the specific work they do, who they help, and how they do it can vary wildly. Here are some of the more common lanes:

• Construction-phase consultants focus on the environmental requirements tied to building stuff - things like erosion control plans, wetlands delineations, endangered species reviews, and pre-construction permitting. They help to get your business physically constructed legally and responsibly, but they might not know the first thing about helping you actually operate under environmental rules.
• Regulatory consultants help businesses understand and comply with environmental laws related to their operations. They might write SPCC plans, manage stormwater permits, or handle chemical reporting. Regulations can also vary a lot by state, so you might find a company that only handles location-specific niche services, but doesn't touch the more common ones. Most firms specialize in a few key regulations, and pretty much no one covers the entire playbook.
• Investigation and remediation consultants handle things like due diligence and diagnostics. They do Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, soil and groundwater testing, vapor intrusion work, and cleanup oversight. You’ll see them a lot in real estate, development, or contamination response.
• Sustainability and “green” consultants help companies improve their environmental impact. That could mean reducing waste, calculating emissions, setting sustainability goals, or chasing down certifications like ISO 14001 or LEED.

And those are just a few examples lumped into broad categories. Most firms pick and choose a mix of things from this menu based on what they’re good at. Some might stick in one category, and some might dabble in a few pieces from each. Some go wide, some stay in a niche. Pretty much nobody does it all.

Here at RMA, we mainly focus on regulatory work for active facilities - permits, plans, approvals, training - that kind of thing. We also touch on some of those "green services" like developing simple but effective environmental management systems or helping businesses start straightforward sustainability programs. We’re known for delivering high-quality, premium Phase I assessments, and we also handle a few niche services where we have deep expertise.

We usually don’t get involved in things like construction-phase services, complex testing, wetlands, environmental cleanup, or endangered species. We're not the firm to call if you need to design a water treatment system from scratch, survey soil, or build a high-tech software for tracking your air emissions. That’s not our world, and we won’t pretend it is.

Oh, and one more twist: the type of company matters too. There are massive national firms with layers of project managers and expensive overhead. There are solo consultants doing great work locally. And there’s every hybrid in between; no two firms are the same. It’s kind of the Wild West, and a website's services page doesn’t always tell the full story.

It's really too much to describe it all here, but we've got an article on What Environmental Consultants (Like Us!) Do For Businesses that you can check out.

Wait - If No Consultant Does Everything, How Can RMA Build Full Environmental Programs?

It’s a fair question. We’ve said no environmental consultant does everything, and we stand by that. But yes, we do offer full environmental programs. So how does that work? Let’s break it down.

First off, “full program” doesn’t mean the same thing to every company. Not every business needs wetlands reviews, endangered species work, custom software platforms, or a full carbon inventory. In fact, most don’t. For many clients, a complete environmental program is a focused mix of regulatory services - things like SPCC, NPDES, Tier II, TRI, audits, and training - and maybe a simple EMS or sustainability initiative to tie it together.

When that’s the case, we can usually handle the entire thing ourselves. That’s squarely in our wheelhouse, and for the vast majority of our clients, we manage 100% of their environmental programs directly.

That said, environmental regulations are wide-ranging, and we don’t pretend to cover all of them. On occasion - if your facility is subject to a niche regulation outside our core scope - we’ll bring in a trusted partner to handle that piece. We stay involved, support the process, and make sure everything integrates. You still only have to manage one relationship, and we still own the overall program.

Now, let’s say your needs go far beyond that. Maybe you’re developing several new sites, need to get everything constructed, have to make sure each facility is in compliance once things get up and running, and you also want to build a high-tech EMS platform across multiple locations. In that case, here’s how it plays out:

• We bring in trusted partners for construction-phase services. If you’re breaking ground on a new site and need help with things like wetlands delineation, soil testing, or endangered species reviews, that’s not our lane. But we know firms that do those things every day, and we’ll stay closely involved to make sure everything lines up with your broader compliance goals and gets done right.

• We handle all the regulatory work we specialize in. Permits, plans, approvals, reporting, training, and more. That’s our bread and butter, and for most businesses, it covers the bulk of what’s needed. More often than not, we can handle all of this in-house so you're fully compliant with all regulations when operations begin.

• If a specific regulation falls outside our scope, we coordinate with a partner who specializes in that area. This is really rare, but when it does happen we make sure it’s handled properly and stays integrated with the rest of your program.

• We might also bring in partners for complex needs beyond compliance. If you’re developing a custom high-tech software for detailed tracking across multiple facilities, we're not going to be the ones writing out the code in ones and zeros. But we will guide the strategy and partner with specialists to bring it to life while making sure it stays grounded in your operational reality.

In short, we don’t try to do it all, but we do take full ownership of your program. We manage the work we’re best at, bring in experts when it’s needed, and tie it all together so you’re not stuck managing five different consultants. Most of the time, that means we’re doing it all. When we’re not, we make sure it’s still done right.

And to be clear, this kind of partnering is the exception, not the rule. Around 95% of the time, when we’re brought in to build or manage a full environmental program, we’re able to handle everything ourselves. That’s because most companies are already operational, so they’re not dealing with construction-phase needs. They’re not chasing complex sustainability goals because those aren’t required. And the core regulations that do apply? We cover most of them.

So yes, we build full environmental programs. We just don’t pretend to do it all ourselves, and we’re not afraid to bring in the right help when it makes sense.

How Does Someone Become an Environmental Consultant?

That’s a tough one, not because there’s a big formula to spell out, but because “environmental consultant” can mean a hundred different things. So the path varies. A lot.

In most cases, people come into this field with a college degree in something like environmental science, geology, engineering, chemistry, or biology. That’s the most common route. But it's not the only one. Some consultants get started through hands-on experience - they might come from construction, labs, or industry roles where they dealt with environmental issues on the ground, and over time they build the knowledge and credibility to move into consulting.

Now, here’s where it gets a little tricky: some types of environmental work require specific certifications or credentials, and some don’t. There are official training requirements, state licensing rules, and strict legal standards tied to certain kinds of work. But for other areas, there’s no formal license or degree required at all. Which means sometimes who you hire, and what their experience is, matters a lot more than their job title or the funny acronyms in their email signature.

For certain types of work - especially high-volume, low-cost providers of services like basic Phase I reports - the job might be handled by junior staff, interns, or recent grads trying to get their foot in the door. It's a way to gain experience, rack up reports, and eventually move into more complex or specialized consulting roles. That’s not necessarily a bad thing (everyone starts somewhere!) but it does mean you should pay attention to who is actually doing the work behind the scenes.

At RMA, we don’t offload your project to junior staff. Every consultant here is a seasoned pro with years (or decades) of experience doing real, meaningful environmental work. We don’t see this as a stepping stone. It’s our career.

What Don’t Environmental Consultants Do?

Again, no environmental consultant does everything. And if they say they do, that’s usually a red flag. Environmental consulting spans a huge range of services, industries, and specialties. While some firms try to go broad, most focus on a specific slice of the pie, because doing this work well takes real expertise. 

That said, there are also some services people think fall under environmental consulting, but actually don’t - at least not for most firms. So what kinds of things do consultants typically not do?

Legal Work

Most environmental consultants aren’t attorneys. We can help you understand what the rules say, how they apply to your situation, and what you need to do to stay compliant. But we don’t interpret legal precedent, argue cases, or represent clients in enforcement proceedings. That’s not our lane, and most consultants know better than to cross it.

If you’re dealing with a lawsuit, enforcement action, or anything with real legal exposure, you’ll want to bring in an environmental attorney. Some consultants have lawyers on staff or work closely with legal partners, but it’s still a different role. When legal questions come up, a good consultant knows when to step back and let the legal pros step in.

Engineering & Design

This one gets a little weird, because some parts of environmental consulting do require an engineer’s stamp of approval. So it’s not uncommon for a consultant to have an engineer on staff or work closely with a trusted engineering partner. That’s what we do. Likewise, an engineering firm might have a handful of environmental staff.

But let’s be clear: environmental consulting firms are almost never the same as “true engineering firms”. We’re not out here designing bridges. If your project needs custom system design or construction specs, you’ll need a licensed professional engineer (PE).

Scientific and Lab Analysis

While many consultants can train you on stormwater sampling, facilitate emissions testing, and help you interpret results, few actually run their own labs. Soil tests, air monitoring, and water analysis usually get sent out to certified third-party labs.

Consultants might manage the process or help you understand it, but they’re not the ones in the white coats doing microscopy or running spectrometers. That’s lab work - and while it’s a critical part of the puzzle, it’s not typically done in-house by consulting firms.

Construction or Heavy Equipment

We don’t build things (at least not physically out of wood and concrete!). If something needs to be installed or physically constructed, that’s usually contractor territory mixed with engineering support.

Consultants might oversee or specify what needs to happen from an environmental standpoint, but we’re not the ones drawing the blueprints or swinging the hammer. You might see us on-site during construction, but we’re there to guide, review, or document, not to say where a steel beam should go or operate the machinery.

Emergency Response

Some consultants specialize in spill response or rapid containment, but most aren’t 24/7 hazmat teams. If there’s a fire, a spill, or an active emergency - call 911 first, then the right agency, then your cleanup crew.

Consultants help you avoid these situations and prepare for what to do if an accident happens, but we shouldn't be your first call if something does - that's a job for true emergency responders. We'll come back in after the dust settles (sometimes literally) to help figure out what went wrong, whether there are any regulatory agencies to be dealt with, and what to do next.

And one more thing they don't do: Environmental Consultants Won't Get You Into Trouble!

Why Would You Hire an Environmental Consultant?

The short answer? Because you need help with something environmental, and you want to get it right. That “something” might be a specific requirement you have to meet. Or it might be a goal you’re trying to reach. Maybe both.

Some companies bring in environmental consultants to make sure they’re following the rules - permits, reporting, stormwater plans, spill prevention, all that. Others hire us to dig into due diligence before buying a property. Some just need clarity on what applies to them and what doesn’t.

But there’s another side too: improvement. Strategy. Building something better. Plenty of consultants help companies launch sustainability initiatives, measure carbon emissions, reduce waste, improve energy use, or chase down certifications like ISO 14001 or LEED. They help you figure out where you are and how to move forward.

In that sense, environmental consultants aren’t just for “staying out of trouble.” They’re also there to help you set goals, solve problems, plan smarter, and make real progress.

You might hire an environmental consultant to:

• Get a handle on what’s required of your business
• Plan a new project or development responsibly
• Identify risks before buying or leasing a property
• Launch a green energy or zero-waste program
• Build systems that align with ESG or sustainability goals
• Clean up or assess an environmental issue
• Improve how your business interacts with the environment overall

At RMA, most of our clients come to us because they want clarity and confidence. Sometimes that’s about basic compliance. Sometimes it’s about planning a comprehensive program. Sometimes it’s just, “We want to do this the right way, and we don’t want to guess.” Whatever the driver, the value of a consultant is this: you get someone who’s seen it before, knows what to look for, and can help you avoid wasted time, wasted money, or bad decisions.

For more specifics, read this: 10 Reasons Your Business Might Need an Environmental Consultant's Help

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Environmental Consultant?

Let’s revisit our earlier analogy. Asking how much it costs to hire an environmental consultant is kind of like asking: “How much does it cost to hire a mechanic?” Well… are we talking about your bike tire, your fridge, your boat, or your jet engine?

Most environmental consulting projects fall into the “fridge repair to boat overhaul” range - meaning somewhere between $1,000 and $80,000. That’s a really big range, but it's the realistic zone for 80% of the work we see across industries: focused projects, decent complexity, real consequences if you get it wrong, but still manageable.

Here’s what that range can look like:

"The Fridge Repair" - $1,000 to $5,000
A good example here is a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan for a single facility. This includes a site visit, photos, mapping, and a developing a fully compliant, ready-to-use plan. It’s not huge, but it’s got to be airtight, or it’ll come back to bite you later.

"The Boat Overhaul" - $40,000 to $80,000
Say you’ve got multiple facilities in different states that all need stormwater permits, SPCC plans, reporting, and staff training - and you need it all done fast. This is multi-layered, high-touch, and takes coordination across locations and people. Not complicated for complication’s sake, just genuinely involved.

But sometimes, things fall outside that “normal” range - either on the simple end, or the extreme.

"The Bike Tire Replacement" - $250 to $500
Maybe you just need help uploading a single report to a state portal, or reviewing a one-off form for accuracy. There’s no site visit, no mapping, no back-and-forth. Quick, clear, and contained. Not all consultants offer this kind of micro-service, but occasionally it makes sense for certain firms.

"The Jet Engine Rebuild" - $200,000+
Now we’re in enterprise territory, maybe starting from scratch, or working on a big, custom, one-off project. You’re rolling out a full compliance program, environmental management system, and sustainability mission across 30+ sites. There’s strategy, reporting, custom tools, training, stakeholder alignment - the whole nine yards. This is less “project” and more “organizational transformation.”

So what does it cost to hire an environmental consultant? The real answer is: it depends on the machine you’re asking us to fix. Whether it’s a bike, a fridge, a boat, or a jet engine - or something in between - we’ll build the right scope for the job, and we’ll be 100% clear about what it’ll take. At RMA, we don’t do vague estimates or fine print. We price based on what the work actually requires, nothing more, nothing less.

For a deeper dive, check out this guide on How Much Environmental Consulting Costs. Oh, and buyer beware, hiring the cheapest environmental consultant can come back to haunt you!

How Long Does It Take to Work with an Environmental Consultant?

Most consulting projects fall somewhere between a few weeks and a few months. That’s the sweet spot for most things that are complex enough to need real attention, but not so big they drag on forever. That said, the range can be much wider than that.

Some small tasks, like reviewing a form, updating an existing plan, or answering a specific regulatory question might only take a couple of days. At the other end of the spectrum, large-scale projects, like launching a company-wide sustainability program or coordinating with multiple slow government agencies for permits, can stretch across multiple years.

And in some cases, it doesn’t really end. The consultant becomes a long-term partner, sort of like a lawyer or an accountant. You might call on them again and again for new issues, updates, training, audits, or just general peace of mind. Some clients keep a consultant “on deck” for years as part of their team, even if they’re not full-time staff.

At RMA, we’ve had clients where the whole project was done in 72 hours. And others we’ve supported for several decades. So how long does it take? It depends on whether you’re solving a one-time problem, or bringing in a long-term advisor to help you stay ahead of the curve.

Also check out: Environmental Consultants vs. An In-House Team - Which Is Better?

What Is It Usually Like to Work with an Environmental Consultant?

This is another one of those “it depends” questions, but we’ll try to be real with you. Here’s what it usually looks like, both in the industry and with us.

First, expect a site visit. In most cases, the consultant is going to want to see things in person. Whether you’re building a new data center or just need help with a permit for your auto shop, seeing the site matters. Walking it. Taking photos. Asking questions. You can’t get a full picture from Google Maps and email alone. There are rare situations where everything can be done remotely, but that’s the exception, not the rule.

You’ll be communicating regularly. Working with a consultant isn’t usually a set-it-and-forget-it thing. You’ll be exchanging emails, having phone or video calls, reviewing drafts, answering questions. You might need to dig up records, explain how things operate on-site, or help make decisions based on options we present. A good consultant will make it efficient, but this is a collaborative process.

You’ll probably be asked a few things you weren’t expecting. Consultants are trained to notice details. We might ask why certain chemicals are stored where they are, how a drain is connected, who trained your staff, or what happens when it rains. Sometimes it’ll feel like we’re poking around - and we are, but with purpose. Our job is to understand the risk and give you the full picture, not just check a box.

There will be deliverables. But probably also follow-ups.
At some point, we hand over the plan, permit, report, program, or whatever you hired us for. But that’s rarely the end of the relationship. Regulations change. Your operations change. Inspectors show up. And suddenly that “one-time project” becomes part of a longer conversation. Some clients work with us once. Others keep us around for years. In some cases, we end up being their go-to environmental person - kind of like having an attorney on call, just for environmental stuff.

Still have cold feet? We get it. Read our honest take on The Risks of Hiring an Environmental Consultant!

How Should You Pick an Environmental Consultant?

There’s no secret formula, but there are a few things you absolutely want to get right.

Make sure they actually do what you need.
This sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many consultants say “yes” to everything whether they specialize in it or not. Need a stormwater permit? Don’t hire someone whose entire background is wetlands and habitat assessments. Need help with sustainability strategy? That’s a very different skill set than someone who does soil remediation. Need assistance at your petroleum factory? You probably don't want the firm that only works with high-rise office buildings. No one does it all. Start by understanding your problem, then shop around for someone with real experience in that lane.

Don’t overpay or underpay for the wrong level of service.
If you just need help updating a plan or submitting a permit, you probably don’t need to bring in a global strategy firm that bills like they’re working for NASA. This is like paying a rocket scientist to fix your toaster - impressive, but also wildly unnecessary (and expensive). By that same token, you also don't want your neighborhood appliance guy working on your rocket ship just because it's cheaper! Set a realistic budget, then look for a consultant who delivers the right caliber of help at the right scale.

Pay attention to how they communicate.
Consulting firms are just companies made up of people. And those people have personalities, habits, and quirks, just like any other team. Some might be buttoned-up and overly technical. Some might feel stuck in 1970 and ask you to fax things. Others might talk in circles, overuse acronyms, or make you feel dumb for asking honest questions. And on the flip side, some might be a little too casual or loose for your taste. You’ll get a gut reaction from the first call or meeting - trust it. Can you have a normal conversation with them? Do they make things clearer or more confusing? Do they listen, or just talk?

Want more advice? Check out this guide on How to Choose the Right Environmental Consultant for Your Business!

Our Approach to Environmental Consulting at RMA

We’ve built RMA to be a consulting firm that sits comfortably in the middle, not in terms of effort or care, but in scale, personality, and style. We’re a small-to-medium-sized team, and we like it that way. Big enough to handle complex work and move quickly, but small enough that you still know who’s doing the work and can call them directly when something comes up.

Most of our clients fall in the middle too. They have a few facilities or sites to manage with moderate needs. They’re not flying private jets to fancy conferences, and they’re not asking us how to work their fax machine either. They just want to know what they’re responsible for, get ahead of issues before they become problems, and have someone they trust to call when the unexpected shows up. And they seem to think we do a good job, just check out our reviews!

We focus on helping companies stay compliant, manage risk, and make smart environmental decisions without overcomplicating the process. That means permitting, plans, reporting, audits, due diligence, training, and practical environmental management systems. That’s our wheelhouse. We don’t do everything, and we won’t pretend to.

We’re not lawyers, and we won’t give you legal advice – but we can help put you in touch with some really great ones. We work with engineers, but we’re not going to design your water treatment system ourselves. We’re not the firm to call if you’re tracking biodiversity in the Amazon or building a fancy software from scratch. But the things we do? We do really well.

Our pricing reflects that same middle-ground mindset. We’re not charging bargain-bin prices, and we’re also not billing every job like we’re repairing a jet engine. We charge fair, transparent rates for the work that actually needs to be done — nothing more, nothing less. You won’t get vague estimates or padded invoices from us. Just a clear scope, an honest price, and work that holds up when it counts.

We aim to keep things simple, not watered-down, but clear. We don’t talk in circles. We don’t hide behind acronyms. We explain things like we’d want them explained to us. If you’ve got a technical team and want to go deep, we can. But if you just want to know what matters and what to do next, we’re good at that too.

Working with us is usually a mix of serious work and easy conversation. We’ll visit your site, take photos, write the plan, get on calls, and answer your emails on Friday afternoon... and sometimes we might also talk baseball for a few minutes before circling back to your question about stormwater outfalls. We’re not stiff and stuffy. But we’re not amateurs either. We try to meet people where they are, and keep the process human.

And look, we're not for everyone. Not every consultant is going to be right for every business. If you want our side of the story, check out: Who Is a Good Fit for RMA? Companies We Love to Work With! And maybe just as importantly: Who RMA is NOT a Good Fit For: Why We Say "No Thanks" to Some Projects!

When we are a right match, though, we tend to stick around. Some clients hire us once and move on. Others keep us on speed dial for years. We’re good with either. What matters to us is doing work that’s clear, useful, and actually helps you move forward.

That’s our approach. Nothing fancy, nothing inflated, and no pretending to be something we’re not. Just thoughtful, experienced consultants who really, genuinely care about doing it right.