When you search for AI consulting, you'll find prices ranging from $50/hour for freelancers to $500/hour (or more) for big consulting firms. For small businesses, this range is confusing — and often discouraging.
So let me be transparent about what AI consulting actually costs, what you get for different price points, and why I charge what I charge.
The AI Consulting Market: A Quick Overview
AI consulting falls into a few broad categories:
Big Consulting Firms ($300-$500+/hour): McKinsey, Deloitte, Accenture. They work with enterprise clients on large-scale AI implementations. Minimum engagements often start at $50,000+. Not designed for small businesses.
Specialized AI Agencies ($150-$300/hour): Focus on building custom AI solutions. Good if you need a custom chatbot or machine learning model. Overkill if you just want to understand how to use ChatGPT.
Independent Consultants ($75-$200/hour): Wide range of expertise and quality. Some focus on implementation; others on strategy or training.
Online Courses and Coaching ($50-$500 one-time): Self-paced learning. Works for some people, but lacks personalization.
For most small business owners who want to understand AI without building custom solutions, the $75-$200/hour range is most relevant.
Our Pricing: $300 for Three Sessions
At South Mountain Consulting, we charge $300 for a complete AI Clarity Package — three one-hour sessions. That works out to $100/hour.
Here's exactly what you get:
Session 1: Assessment
- We discuss your current understanding of AI
- I learn about your business, your challenges, your goals
- We identify where AI might (or might not) help
Session 2: Education & Concerns
- We address your specific questions about AI
- I explain concepts in plain English — no jargon
- We tackle misconceptions and fears head-on
Session 3: Your Roadmap
- You receive a clear, practical action plan
- Usually 3-5 specific next steps tailored to your business
- No expensive software recommendations — just practical guidance
What's NOT included:
- Building custom AI solutions
- Ongoing implementation support (though we can discuss this separately)
- Software licenses or subscriptions
Why This Price?
I chose $300 for three sessions deliberately. Here's my reasoning:
It's accessible: $300 is a real investment, but it's not going to break a small business budget. It's less than most business owners spend on random software subscriptions they barely use.
It's enough time: One session isn't enough to provide real value. Three sessions allows us to understand your situation, address your concerns, and create a practical plan.
It respects your time: At three hours total, we stay focused. No padding, no filler. Every minute is spent on what matters to you.
It's honest: I could charge more. But I'd rather help more small businesses at a fair price than fewer businesses at a premium price.
Is It Worth $300?
That depends on what clarity is worth to you.
Consider this: How many hours have you spent reading articles about AI? Watching YouTube videos? Worrying about whether you're falling behind? Trying tools that didn't work?
If you've spent 10 hours on AI confusion, and your time is worth even $50/hour, you've already invested $500 in getting nowhere.
Three hours of focused guidance can give you what all that scattered effort couldn't: a clear understanding of what AI means for your specific business, and a practical plan for what to do next (even if "next" means doing nothing for now).
What About Free Alternatives?
Fair question. You can learn about AI for free:
- YouTube tutorials
- Blog posts (like this one)
- Free trials of AI tools
- Asking ChatGPT about ChatGPT
These resources are great — I encourage you to use them. But they have limitations:
- They're not personalized. Generic advice doesn't account for your industry, your business size, your comfort level, or your goals.
- They're not interactive. You can't ask follow-up questions or get clarification.
- They're overwhelming. There's so much content that figuring out what's relevant to you is a job in itself.
The value of consulting isn't just information — it's personalized guidance that cuts through the noise.
The Bottom Line
AI consulting costs vary widely. For small businesses that want to understand AI (not build custom solutions), expect to pay $75-$200/hour for quality independent consulting.
Our price — $300 for three hours — sits at the accessible end of that range while providing genuine, personalized value.
If you're tired of being confused about AI and want clarity without the jargon, the investment is worth it.
AI Clarity Package
Three one-hour sessions. No hidden fees. No upsells.
Book Your First Session