Business consulting with us comes in four formats, and the right one depends on the size and shape of the decision, not on the size of your business. Hourly sessions start at $175 an hour, defined projects at $3,500 and monthly retainers at $2,500. All prices are in Canadian dollars, and BC clients add 5% GST.
Hourly consulting
$175–$350 /hour
Strategy sessions and expert advice by the hour.
Project
$3,500–$25,000 per project
Defined-scope work such as a plan, assessment or launch, with milestone payments.
Monthly retainer
$2,500–$12,000 /month
Ongoing advisory and execution support.
Growth Partner Program
Custom
Performance-based partnership: Ali invests time upfront and is paid on measurable results. Limited partnerships available.
Free initial consultation · no lock-in. The initial 30-minute consultation is free, with no obligation.
Prices in Canadian dollars. Sales tax is added based on the client's province (as of October 2026, CRA rates): 5% GST in Alberta, BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon, NWT and Nunavut; 13% HST in Ontario; 14% HST in Nova Scotia; 15% HST in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and PEI; 5% GST plus 9.975% QST in Quebec. Provincial sales tax (BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) only where it applies to the service. See full pricing on businessconsulting.ca/pricing.
The four formats
| Format | Price (CAD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly consulting | $175–$350 per hour | One decision, a second opinion, a document review |
| Project | $3,500–$25,000 per project | A growth plan, marketing strategy or operations review with a clear finish |
| Monthly retainer | $2,500–$12,000 per month | Ongoing advice and help putting a plan into practice |
| Growth Partner Program | Custom | Performance-based partnership; limited partnerships available |
The full price list for the group is published on BusinessConsulting.ca. The initial 30-minute consultation is free, with no obligation.
What drives the cost
Price ranges are wide because the work varies widely. Four things move a quote up or down.
- How many options we compare. A growth plan that tests one move costs less than one that compares a new location, a new service and a bigger service area side by side.
- How good your records are. Clean monthly figures from your accounting software mean less time reconstructing numbers. Missing data means more estimation and checking.
- How many people are involved. An operations review in a five-person business is quicker than one involving three teams and several shifts.
- How much help you want carrying it out. A written plan you implement yourself sits at the lower end. Ongoing support with your staff and suppliers is retainer work.
Worked examples
These are illustrations, not quotes. Your proposal will set the real figure.
- A lease question. You've been offered a five-year renewal and want a view before you sign. Two hours of preparation and discussion at $175 an hour comes to $350, plus $17.50 GST, for $367.50.
- A marketing strategy. A 12-person service business wants a written plan and budget. A focused project at $6,000 plus $300 GST comes to $6,300, paid in milestones.
- A growth plan with follow-through. An owner compares two expansion options, picks one, and wants monthly support for six months. That might be a project followed by a retainer at the lower end of the range.
How to choose
Start with the smallest format that fits the decision.
- If you can state the question in one sentence and it has a deadline, choose hourly consulting. See hourly strategy sessions.
- If you need a plan with a clear finish, such as growth and expansion planning, a marketing strategy or an operations review, choose a project.
- If you want someone alongside you month after month as the plan unfolds, choose a retainer.
- If the opportunity is large, measurable and you'd rather share the risk, ask whether the Growth Partner Program might fit. It's limited and agreed case by case.
A useful rule: if a decision could cost or earn you more than about ten times the consulting fee, the fee is usually worth paying. If not, an hourly session or one of our free guides may be enough.
Terms and what's in writing
Every paid engagement starts with a written scope and price. That document says what's included, what isn't, how payments work and how either side can stop. There's no lock-in: if the advice stops being useful, you can end the arrangement on the terms set out in your proposal.
If you have a question about any fee, payment timing or cancellation term that isn't covered here, ask before you agree to anything, and we'll confirm the answer in writing. You can call, text or email, or read more in the FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
Is the first conversation really free?
Yes. The initial 30-minute consultation is free, with no obligation. It's a chance to describe the decision you're facing and hear whether and how we can help.
Do you charge GST?
Yes. Every figure on this page is in Canadian dollars before tax; BC clients pay 5% GST in addition.
Can I pay for a project in instalments?
Project work is paid in milestones, so payments are tied to delivered stages rather than paid all at once. The exact milestones are set out in your written proposal.
What is the Growth Partner Program?
Under this program Ali puts his time in first and is paid from results you can measure, so the arrangement is performance-based. It's agreed case by case, and only limited partnerships are available.
Are there any other fees?
Everything you'll pay is set out in your written proposal before work begins. If a question about fees or terms isn't answered there, ask, and we'll confirm it in writing.
Sources
- BusinessConsulting.ca: Pricing (2026-10-23)