Chris C Fox Consulting

Pricing: How we charge for Strategy Consulting

One of the most common questions I’m asked is, “How do you charge for your services?” It’s a fair question—especially in a world where consulting fees can seem opaque, and horror stories abound of open-ended invoices and “land and expand” tactics. And of course you've got budgets and priorities to consider. In the spirit of transparency, here’s exactly how pricing works at Chris C Fox Consulting Limited.

How We Charge: Day Rate vs Fixed Price

Day Rate

The day rate (time and materials) is the most familiar model in consulting. It’s simple, transparent, and easy to compare with other providers. You pay for the time I spend working on your problems, and you know exactly what the daily cost is.

However, day rates can sometimes feel like writing an open-ended cheque. There’s a risk that engagements drag on, or that both sides lose focus on outcomes and value.

Day rates vary by project. The biggest consideration is the total size of the project/commitment. Day rates need to cover business development (sales, marketing, agreeing scope, reviewing and signing contracts, etc.) and time between engagements. The larger the project, the more easily it absorbs this overhead, and the lower the day rate can be.

Fixed Price (Preferred)

Wherever possible, I prefer to work on a fixed price basis. This means we agree upfront on the scope, deliverables, and price for a piece of work—whether it’s a strategy health check, a discovery sprint, or a bespoke engagement.

Why Fixed Price?

• Focus on Value: The conversation shifts from “how many days will this take?” to “what is the value of solving this problem?”
• No Surprises: You know exactly what you’ll pay, and I know exactly what I need to deliver.
• Aligned Incentives: Both sides are motivated to get the work done quickly and effectively, not to pad out the time.
• Smarter Working: I’m incentivised to work smarter, invest in tools like StratNavApp.com, and bring consistency and efficiencies to your project.

Techniques and Approaches

• Time-Boxed Exercises: For many projects, we’ll agree a fixed period (e.g. a two-week discovery sprint) with a clear set of outputs.
• Discovery Phase: For larger or more complex challenges, we often start with a short, fixed-price discovery phase. This allows us to clarify the problem, agree the scope, and set a fair price for the next stage.

Land and Expand

I don’t believe in “land and expand” tactics. My aim is to deliver value quickly, build trust, and only recommend further work if it’s genuinely in your best interests. As often as not, I recommend you get someone else in, if we identify a specialised requirement I am not best suited to fulfil. Most of my business comes from repeat clients and referrals, so integrity and transparency are non-negotiable.

The Real Question: What’s the Cost of Not Acting?

When considering any investment in strategy, it’s worth asking:

• What is the cost of not addressing your strategic challenges? Lost growth, missed opportunities, and falling behind the market.
• How much longer would it take (and how much more might it cost) if you tried to manage on your own or with internal resources?
• What’s the value of getting clarity, alignment, and momentum—sooner rather than later?

What Else Should You Know?

• No Hidden Fees: All costs are agreed upfront. If additional work is needed, we’ll discuss and agree it together.
• Flexible Engagements: I offer everything from one-off workshops to ongoing support, so you can choose what fits your needs and budget. (See Services.)
• Personal Service: You work directly with me—no armies of juniors, no bait-and-switch.

Ready to Talk?

If you’d like a tailored quote, or just want to understand what’s possible within your budget, get in touch for a no-obligation conversation.

If you have further questions about pricing, or want to see example packages, just ask. Transparency is the foundation of every successful engagement.