I am a consultant or a solutions builder, or both. I differ to many traditional consultants because I get my hands dirty building the solutions I recommend.
Every pricing model is a question of risk: who carries it and who benefits when things go well. Below are three models I use, and when each makes most sense.
Best for: Defined deliverables with a clear scope and finish line
The most familiar structure. We agree on a fixed price for a defined piece of work — typically following a Value & Feasibility Sprint that has clarified exactly what needs to be built and why.
This model works well when the scope is clear, the timeline is bounded, and you want cost certainty before committing. Once the project is complete, we discuss what ongoing support, if any, makes sense.
All project work begins with a Value & Feasibility Sprint. This ensures we're building the right thing before committing to a build budget.
Best for: When trust and transparency are established and results are measurable
This is how I most like to work. Instead of paying for hours, you pay for outcomes — specifically, a percentage of the measurable profit improvement above an agreed baseline.
Before a performance agreement starts we agree on a baseline. Once the work begins, my remuneration is tied to how much that number improves. If it improves a lot, I earn more. If it doesn't move much, I earn less. It's a fair and transparent model that aligns both of our incentives completely.
Because this model requires financial transparency and a high degree of mutual trust, it typically comes after an initial retained services agreement period — which gives us both the confidence and data to structure an agreement that works.
Best for: Ongoing AI capability with predictable monthly costs
A retained arrangement works on an agreed number of hours per week and an agreed term. This gives you a consistent, embedded AI partner — without scoping a new project every time you need something.
Retained agreements start at a minimum of six hours per week — the minimum commitment needed to do meaningful, compounding work rather than scattered one-offs.
For clients, the main advantage is cashflow predictability: you know exactly what you're spending each month. It suits businesses who want continuity without the overhead of a full-time hire.
Get in touch — I'm happy to talk through what makes sense for your situation before you commit to anything.