Engagement stages
From first call to recommendation letter
Advice at Blue Haven follows a repeatable sequence so you always know what happens next, what we need from you, and when fees become payable.
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1
Discovery call
A free conversation of up to 45 minutes. We confirm whether a consultation fits, outline a fee range, and send a document checklist. No advice is given at this stage beyond confirming suitability of the engagement type.
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2
Letter of engagement
You receive a written scope, fee, and deposit terms. Paid work begins only after you accept and the deposit clears. If we cannot help — for example, because a specialist permission is required — we say so before you pay.
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3
Fact-find meeting
We map income, expenditure, assets, liabilities, goals, and constraints. Meetings last one to two hours and can be held in our Northern Ireland office or by video. Bring statements listed in the checklist; incomplete packs simply extend the timeline.
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4
Recommendation letter
Within the timescale stated in your engagement letter you receive plain-English recommendations with prioritised actions. Product recommendations, where made, include reasons why alternatives were set aside.
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5
Review meeting
We walk through the letter, answer questions, and agree which steps you will take with third parties such as your accountant, solicitor, or pension administrator. Optional annual reviews are scoped separately if you want ongoing contact.
Preparation that shortens the timeline
Most delays come from missing pension statements or unclear company accounts. After discovery we send a short list tailored to your consultation — typically P60s, pension valuations, ISA statements, and for directors, recent management accounts.
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