What a consultation costs, before you ask

The four ways to pay

Each format matches a different size of problem. The table below summarises them; the services overview explains how to choose.

Canadian clients add GST/HST to every paid line at their province's rate: 5% GST in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the territories, 13% HST in Ontario, 14% in Nova Scotia, 15% in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and PEI, and 5% GST plus 9.975% QST in Quebec (CRA rates, checked 2026-10-23).

What moves the price within each range

The price within a range is driven by scope, not by who is asking. Four factors account for most of the difference.

1. Preparation. A session where Ali reviews three months of reports beforehand takes more time than one built on a quick summary.
2. Number of moving parts. A review of one channel costs less than a review of marketing, follow-up and pricing together.
3. People involved. Interviews with staff or partners add time.
4. Involvement level for retainers. A monthly check-in and occasional questions sits at the low end; weekly involvement and supplier reviews sit higher.

You see the estimate for each of these in writing before you commit.

Worked examples with sales tax

These examples use only the published ranges and the 5% GST that applies in BC or Alberta, so you can check the arithmetic; Ontario clients would use 13% HST instead.

• A two-hour strategy session at $250 per hour: $500, plus $25 GST, for a total of $525.
• A marketing assessment project at $6,000: $6,000, plus $300 GST, for a total of $6,300, paid in milestones.
• Advisory at $2,500 per month for six months: $15,000, plus $750 GST, for a total of $15,750.

A quick sense check for any of them: divide the fee by your gross margin to see how much extra revenue covers it. A $6,000 project at a 30% margin needs $20,000 of extra revenue, or the equivalent in avoided waste, to pay for itself. If that looks out of reach, start smaller with a strategy session.

How to choose without overspending

Start at the smallest format that can answer your question. Most owners should begin with the free conversation, then a paid session if needed, and only move to a project or retainer once the scale of the problem is clear.

Signs you're buying too much

• The project scope is vague enough that you can't say what "done" looks like.
• You expect the retainer to make decisions you should be making.
• You'd struggle to name the numbers the work is meant to move.

Signs you're buying too little

• You've booked three hourly sessions on the same issue.
• The problem touches marketing, sales and operations at once.
• You need a written plan for a partner, board or lender.

Terms you can expect

Every paid engagement starts with a written scope and price that you agree to first. No lock-in is part of how the group works, and the notice period and payment schedule for your engagement are spelled out in your proposal. If something isn't in the proposal, ask before you sign.

Payment for projects is split across milestones, so you pay as each piece of work arrives rather than all at once. For retainers, the monthly amount and what it covers are fixed in writing, and any change in scope is agreed before it affects your bill.

Any question about pricing is fair to raise in the free call. To book it, see the contact page; for common objections about cost and contracts, see the FAQ.