AI Consulting Pricing Models Calculator
One scope, four ways to pay for it, from the quotes you hold
1. The scope
2. The quotes
Result
| Pricing model | Total cost | Per hour worked | Share of the value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $21,600 | $150 | 21.6% |
| Fixed fee | $18,000 | $125 | 18.0% |
| Monthly retainerlowest price | $9,000 | $63 | 9.0% |
| Value-based fee | $10,000 | $69 | 10.0% |
The lowest price is not a recommendation. The four models buy different things: an hourly quote buys a number of hours, a fixed fee buys a defined result, a retainer buys ongoing engineer time without stated hours, and a value-based fee ties the price to an outcome you have to measure. Compare what each one includes before you compare the totals.
AY's price shown is the published starting price for a monthly partnership; your quote may be higher depending on scope.
The formulas
Hours worked = expected hours x (1 + scope growth %) Weeks worked = expected weeks x (1 + scope growth %) Hourly total = hours worked x hourly rate Fixed total = fixed fee (scope growth is not billed) Retainer total = months billed x monthly retainer, months = weeks worked / 4.33 rounded up Value-based total = first-year value x fee % (scope growth is not billed) Per hour worked = total / hours worked Hourly = fixed fee at = fixed fee / hourly rate Hourly = retainer at = retainer total / hourly rate
How this works
You describe one piece of work: the hours a consultant expects, the weeks it should take and how much it may grow. You then enter a quote for each pricing model. The tool prices the same work four ways and shows the total, the cost per hour actually worked and the share of the value you expect.
It uses no market averages. Rates and fees differ too much by consultant, scope and region for a single figure to help, so every number is yours except AY Automate's published starting price. Hourly and retainer pricing pay for scope growth. A fixed fee and a value-based fee do not, which is the main risk trade between them.
Worked example with the defaults: 120 hours over 8 weeks with 20% growth is 144 hours and 9.6 weeks. Hourly at $150 is 144 x $150 = $21,600. The fixed fee is $18,000. The retainer bills 3 months (9.6 / 4.33 rounded up) at $3,000 = $9,000. A 10% fee on $100,000 of value is $10,000. Hourly costs the same as the fixed fee at 120 hours, and the same as the retainer at 60 hours.
Sources (read November 12, 2026)
AY Automate publishes: "A full program takes 4-8 weeks. From $3K a month. Cancel anytime." See business process automation consulting.
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