Environmental Consultants vs. an In-House Environmental Team

What's Better? Weighing the Pros and Cons of Internal vs. External Environmental Support

If you're responsible for environmental compliance at your company, you've probably faced this question: Should we build an in-house environmental team, or hire an environmental consultant? It's not an easy decision, and the stakes can be high. Compliance mistakes can lead to serious fines, business disruptions, or worse.

At RMA, we work with businesses on both sides of this equation. Some come to us after realizing their internal resources are stretched too thin. Others partner with us from the start to handle complex regulations they can’t (or don’t want to) manage alone. No matter your situation, we’re here to help you make the smartest move for your business.

If you're not sure which approach makes the most sense for your team, reach out to us here. We’re happy to walk you through your options - no pressure, just straight talk.

Understanding the Core Differences

What Does Working with an In-House Environmental Team Look Like?

There’s something comforting about having someone on-site every day who “gets it.” We’ve seen businesses thrive with strong internal environmental staff... and we’ve also seen where it doesn’t quite pan out.

If you’re thinking about building your own team, here’s what usually works well:

• You’ve got someone on the ground. They’re in the office (or out in the field), ready to jump in when a surprise inspection or spill hits. No waiting, no delays.
• They’ll learn your business inside and out. Over time, they become part of the fabric of your company, understanding your processes, your people, and even that one stormwater sample point that’s a pain to access.
• You can steer the ship. Want them in a meeting? Need to shift priorities last minute? You don’t have to wait on a return call, they’re already there, and they answer to you.
• They’re focused entirely on you. Consultants have other clients. But your internal hire? They’re all yours.

That said, we’ve talked to a lot of folks who’ve learned the hard way that internal hires come with challenges:

• It’s not cheap. Salaries, benefits, training, time off - even office supplies - it adds up fast. And if you need more than one person? Multiply that.
• Finding the right person is tough. Environmental compliance is complicated. And unless you know exactly what to look for, you could end up with someone who’s overwhelmed, or worse, underqualified. A lot of the most knowledgeable people out there are, well, already working as consultants.
• Nobody can be an expert in everything. Environmental regulations vary, a lot. One person might be great at hazardous waste management, but you might also need an expert in EPCRA reporting. Or a person dedicated to your sustainability program. You'll have to make sure you fill all the roles that are needed with people who have real knowledge and experience in them.
• Training’s on you. And it's not just the required stuff like annual SPCC training - it's keeping up with regulations that change constantly. Making sure your staff is up to date is your responsibility... and if you miss something, you might not find out until you’re holding a violation letter.

Bottom line? Having someone on staff can be great... but only if you’ve got the right person, and the resources to keep them supported.

What Does Working with an Outside Environmental Consulting Team Look Like?

We’ll admit... we try not to be, but we’re a little biased here. We'll be the first to say that we're not the right choice for everyone, and that hiring an environmental consultant can come with some risks. But after decades in the field, we’ve seen firsthand why so many companies bring in outside help.

Here’s why hiring a consultant works so well for a lot of folks:

• We’ve seen it all. Seriously. We’ve written hundreds of SPCC Plans, handled everything from stormwater permits to waste management headaches, and we’ve sat across from regulators more times than we can count.
• You only pay for what you need. (Liberty, Liberty, Liberty!) In all seriousness, whether you’re facing a quick annual environmental audit or need monthly compliance help, you can scale up or down. One-and-done air permit application? Full environmental program buildout? Either way, you're not paying bloated salaries during downtime or between projects.
• No hidden costs. Piggybacking from that last point, you're not paying for the regular office essentials, we've already got them. No desks, laptops, PTO, benefits, or HR paperwork. Just the actual work you want done.
• We hit the ground running. We're ready to go when you say "when". No onboarding, no getting set up, no googling what these regulations mean. We're ready to roll the moment you've hired us.
• You get a full bench of experts. With RMA (and other consulting firms), you’re not getting one person, you’re getting a team for one price. We’ve got specialists in various regulations and industries with strengths that complement each other.

But we’re not perfect either:

• We’re not at your facility every day. Sometimes you need a quick face-to-face, and that’s easier with an internal hire. To get in touch you'll have to send an email or pick up the phone as opposed to just dropping by an office down the hall.
• We do support other clients. During busy periods, we might be a bit tied up with other work. Your facility can't always be our number one priority, but with good communication and time management, we make it work.

Most of the time, our clients find that the flexibility, experience, and support we offer far outweigh the trade-offs. We’re here when you need us, and we’re not on the clock when you don’t.

For more information, check out our other article on what an environmental consultant actually does for businesses.

What’s the Cost Difference?

Hiring a full-time environmental professional isn’t cheap - salaries for experienced staff can range from $70,000 to over $120,000 annually, depending on location and credentials. Then factor in benefits, training, certifications, and the cost of turnover when someone leaves. And that's just for one person.

On the flip side, environmental consultants charge based on services rendered. You pay for what you need, when you need it. That could be as low as a couple hundred dollars, or as much as tens of thousands (or more!), but at least you're paying for exactly what you need, no more, no less. For many small to mid-sized companies, this model offers better value and less risk.

We break down how much it typically costs to hire an environmental consultant here. Or, for a ballpark range of specific services, you can check out our pricing page here.

Which Option Is Right for Your Business?

Here’s the truth: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on:

• Your industry and regulatory complexity
• The number and type of facilities you manage
• Your budget and staffing flexibility
• The risk tolerance of your organization

For many companies, a hybrid approach is best: a small internal team (or even just one environmental manager) supported by a trusted environmental consulting firm. We’re often brought in for specialized projects, audits, permit renewals, or training programs to work alongside existing internal staff that aren’t equipped to handle it alone.

Need help convincing your leadership team? This guide on how to make the case for hiring a consultant might help.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Navigating environmental regulations isn’t easy, and mistakes can cost you more than money. Whether you’re starting to build an internal team or wondering if it’s time to outsource, RMA can help you figure out the right next step.

We’ve helped hundreds of companies across the country find the right balance of internal and external support. Let’s talk about what works best for you.

Contact us today to get the conversation started. You don’t need to go it alone, and with the right help, you don’t have to.