Our engagement model
Audit. Build. Run.
Three fixed-price steps that turn an idea into working software — with proof before you commit and no hourly billing, ever.
Three steps
A small paid step de-risks the big one.
Most engagements start with an Audit, move into a phased Build, and continue on a monthly Run retainer. Take one step at a time.
AI Build Audit
5 business days
A paid, fixed-price diagnostic. We pressure-test your idea or existing build and hand back a concrete technical plan plus a fixed-price proposal for the work. Fully credited toward your Build if you proceed.
- Architecture and tech-stack plan
- Fixed-price, phased Build proposal
- AI-feasibility and risk assessment
- Thin-slice scope you could ship first
Build
6–10 week thin slice
A phased, fixed-price build that ships a working thin slice in weeks, not a 6–12 month commitment. You see real software early and decide what comes next from evidence, not a Gantt chart.
- Fixed price per phase — no hourly meter
- Working software in the first phase
- Built on our production-tested template
- Senior ownership end to end
Run
Month to month
An optional monthly retainer for continued delivery, maintenance, and a fractional-CTO relationship. Predictable scope, predictable cost, cancel anytime.
- Continuous feature delivery
- Maintenance, monitoring, and fixes
- Fractional technical leadership
- Flat monthly cost, no surprises
Prices are typical ranges for our most common engagements. Your exact scope and quote come out of the Audit.
Why this model
Built to be easy to say yes to.
You pay for outcomes, not hours
Every step is a fixed price tied to a defined result. When AI makes us faster, you keep the savings — your cost is the outcome, not a timesheet.
Proof before you commit
The Audit is a small paid step that de-risks the big one. You get a real plan and a fixed quote before signing up for a build — and the Audit fee comes off the Build.
A thin slice in weeks
We ship a working slice of the product early instead of disappearing for months. You make the next call from working software, not a status deck.
Senior ownership, AI-native delivery
25 years of engineering leadership, an AI-native build practice, and a production-tested template under every project. One accountable owner, not a rotating bench.
Frequently asked questions
Why start with a paid audit instead of a free proposal?+
Because a plan written without doing the work is a guess. The AI Build Audit is a small, fixed-price step where we actually dig into your idea or codebase and produce a concrete architecture, a fixed-price build plan, and a thin-slice scope. It de-risks the engagement for both sides — and the fee is credited toward your Build if you move forward.
Do you ever bill hourly?+
No. Every step — Audit, Build, and Run — is a fixed price or a flat monthly retainer tied to a defined outcome. You always know the cost before you commit.
How fast can you ship something real?+
The Build phase is structured to deliver a working thin slice in roughly 6–10 weeks rather than a 6–12 month all-or-nothing project. We start on a production-tested template, so the first weeks go to your product, not to rebuilding foundation.
Do I have to sign up for the monthly Run retainer?+
No. Run is optional. Many clients take it for continued delivery and fractional technical leadership, but the Build stands on its own and you can stop after any phase.
What kinds of projects is this for?+
AI-native MVPs for startups and founders, custom software and internal tools for small and mid-size businesses, and ongoing product work via retainer. If you need a working product and a senior owner rather than a staffing agency, this model fits.
Start with a conversation.
Tell us what you are building. We will point you to the right first step — usually an Audit.