Short answer
AI consulting typically costs $500 to $3,000 per training session, $5,000 to $100,000 for custom software, and $200 to $700 per hour for ongoing retainers. The price depends mostly on scope, the number of systems the work touches, and who owns the result. Lattice Partners is an AI implementation partner based in Los Angeles and New York that helps companies build an AI strategy, trains their teams on AI tools, and builds custom agents and software.
- Training is priced per session, software per project, and ongoing help per hour.
- Integrations and approvals move the price more than the AI model does.
- Ask whether you pay once or pay every year. Recurring license fees change the real cost.
What are typical AI consulting prices?
Typical AI consulting prices fall into three groups: per-session training, project-based software builds, and hourly retainers. The table shows the usual range for each.
| Type of work | Typical price | How it's usually billed |
|---|---|---|
| Team training | $500 to $3,000 per session | Per session, often in a series |
| Custom software or agent | $5,000 to $100,000 | Fixed fee per project or per phase |
| Ongoing support and iteration | $200 to $700 per hour | Hourly retainer |
Strategy work, such as a readiness assessment and roadmap, is usually billed as a fixed-fee project or on the hourly rate.
What makes AI consulting cost more or less?
Scope, integrations, data condition, and approvals set most of the price. The AI model rarely does.
- Scope. One workflow for one team costs far less than a product used across a company.
- Integrations. Each system the software reads from or writes to adds authentication, field mapping, and testing.
- Data condition. Clean exports and a usable API keep the cost down. Scanned paper and scattered inboxes add cleanup work first.
- Approvals. Security review and legal sign-off add time even when they add no code.
- Iterations. Most products need 2 to 3 rounds of changes after the first version.
How Long Does It Take to Build Custom AI Software? covers the timeline side of the same factors.
What does a custom AI software build cost?
A custom AI software build usually costs $5,000 to $100,000. The low end is a narrow tool or automation for one team. The high end is a product with several integrations, user roles, and dashboards.
| Project size | Example | Where it lands in the range |
|---|---|---|
| Simple automation | Pull data from emails or PDFs into a spreadsheet | Low end |
| Internal agent on one or two systems | An agent that drafts quotes or answers questions from a CRM | Lower to middle |
| MCP integration | Connecting Claude to a CRM or database | Lower to middle |
| Full product | A scheduling or job-tracking system with roles and dashboards | Middle to high end |
MCP stands for Model Context Protocol, an open standard for connecting AI assistants to business systems. The glossary explains it in plain terms.
What is the difference between paying once and paying every year?
A one-time build is paid for once and the company owns the code. A software license or ERP add-on module is billed again each year. Over several years the two can cost very different amounts.
NetSuite is a useful example. Its own CPQ page describes configure, price, quote software as "available as an add-on module." The page also says customers pay an annual license fee made up of the core platform, optional modules, and the number of users (NetSuite). To compare fairly, add the yearly fee for every year you'll use the module and set it against a one-time build plus upkeep.
A custom build isn't free after launch. Someone has to maintain it, which is where an hourly retainer comes in. Custom AI vs. Your ERP's Add-On Module compares the two in detail.
How should you compare AI consulting quotes?
Compare what each quote includes as well as the total. Two quotes with the same number can cover very different work.
- Deliverable. Is it a plan, working software, or trained employees?
- Ownership. Do you own the code, and can another firm maintain it?
- Recurring fees. Are there per-seat, per-module, or yearly charges after launch?
- Training. Does the price include teaching your team to use what's built?
- Iterations. How many rounds of changes are included?
How to Choose an AI Consulting Firm lists ten questions to ask before you sign. What Is an AI Builder? explains why the type of firm changes what a quote covers.
How Lattice Partners does this
Lattice Partners scopes each engagement after learning how your team works, in four phases: Learn, Tailor, Build and Ship, and Iterate. We offer training, strategy work, and custom software, and many clients start with training and move into building.
When the project is well scoped, the first version usually ships within a few weeks. We can stay on after launch to support and improve what we built.
Custom software is a one-time build and the client owns the code. We don't charge a recurring per-seat or per-module license.
Frequently asked questions
How much does AI consulting cost per hour?
Hourly AI consulting retainers typically run $200 to $700 per hour. The rate depends on the seniority of the people doing the work and whether the work is advice, building, or both.
How much does AI training for employees cost?
Training sessions typically cost $500 to $3,000 each. Price depends on group size, how much the content is tailored to your workflows, and how many sessions are in the series.
How much does custom AI software cost?
Custom AI software typically costs $5,000 to $100,000 per project. A narrow automation sits near the low end, and a full product with several integrations sits near the high end.
Is a one-time build cheaper than a subscription?
It depends on how long you'll use it. A one-time build costs more up front but has no yearly fee. A subscription costs less to start but is billed every year, so compare the total over the years you expect to use it.
What should an AI consulting quote include?
A good quote names the deliverable, who owns the code, any recurring fees, whether training is included, and how many rounds of changes are covered.
Related reading
About Lattice Partners
Lattice Partners is an AI implementation partner based in Los Angeles and New York. We help companies build an AI strategy, train their employees on AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude, and build custom AI agents and software. Clients own the code we build. Lattice Partners was founded by Colin McDonnell, Martin Anquetil, and Christian Yeghnazar. Contact us to talk about your use case.