Our fees follow the published consulting rates of our group: hourly consulting from $175 to $350, defined projects from $3,500 to $25,000, and monthly retainers from $2,500 to $12,000. Prices are in Canadian dollars, plus GST or HST according to your province (GST and QST in Quebec). Nothing locks you in, and the opening 30-minute consultation carries no fee.
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 ways we charge
There are four formats. Each suits a different kind of planning work.
| Format | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly consulting | $175–$350 per hour | A second opinion on a draft plan, a budget review, preparing for a board discussion |
| Project | $3,500–$25,000 per project | A three-year plan, an operating plan, a scorecard design, an offsite, a scenario set |
| Monthly retainer | $2,500–$12,000 per month | Quarterly strategy reviews, scorecard upkeep and ongoing advisory |
| Growth Partner Program | Custom | Performance-based: Ali puts in time upfront and is paid on measurable results (limited partnerships available) |
The full schedule is published on BusinessConsulting.ca's pricing page.
How our services map to the formats
Most planning work fits naturally into one format. The mapping below is a guide; your proposal confirms it.
- Three-year strategic plan: a project, usually including the offsite.
- Annual operating plan and budget: a project the first year; later years are faster and may fit within a retainer.
- OKRs and KPI scorecard: a smaller project for design, then upkeep within a retainer.
- Leadership offsite facilitation: a project covering preparation, the session and the write-up.
- Scenario planning: a project, or an addition to a plan.
- Quarterly strategy reviews: usually a monthly retainer.
What drives the cost
The fee depends on the amount of senior time the work requires. Five factors account for most of the difference within each range.
- Number of leaders involved. Each interview, survey response and review adds time.
- Length and format of the offsite. One day or two, and whether there is a separate board session.
- Depth of the financials. A three-column outline in the plan is quicker than a full driver-based monthly budget.
- Number of business lines or locations. Each one adds a revenue build and a margin analysis.
- Board involvement. A board version of the plan and attendance at board meetings add preparation.
A worked example of tax on a fee
Sales tax is added according to the client's province, using CRA rates as of October 2026. As an illustration only, suppose a project is quoted at $12,000, inside the published range. A client in Alberta would add 5% GST, or $600, for a total of $12,600. A client in Ontario would add 13% HST, or $1,560, for $13,560. A client in Nova Scotia would add 14% HST, or $1,680. A client in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador or PEI would add 15% HST, or $1,800. A Quebec client would add 5% GST plus 9.975% QST, about $1,797 in total. For planning clients in BC, Manitoba or Saskatchewan, provincial sales tax would be added only where it applies to the service. Rates are from the CRA's GST/HST calculator; confirm your own position with your accountant.
How to choose a format
Choose by the shape of the need, not by the price. A few rules of thumb help.
- You need one specific deliverable, such as a plan or a budget: choose a project. The scope, fee and milestone payments are fixed in the proposal.
- You need a steady outside voice four times a year: choose a retainer for quarterly reviews.
- You have a draft and want it challenged: choose a few hours of consulting.
- You'd prefer to align our fee with outcomes: ask about the Growth Partner Program, which is available for a limited number of partnerships.
If budget is tight, the most effective small step is often a scorecard plus one quarterly review. It shows quickly whether a fuller plan is needed.
What every proposal states in writing
Before you commit to anything, you receive a written proposal. It sets out the scope and deliverables, the fee and payment milestones, the timeline, who is involved from your side, any travel for in-person sessions, and the terms for ending a retainer. Anything not in the proposal is not part of the agreement.
To get a proposal, start with the free 30-minute consultation. Call or text (604) 632-4959, or email us; the contact page explains what to include. You can also read our FAQ for common questions about contracts and timing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a three-year strategic plan cost?
It is priced as a project within our $3,500 to $25,000 range. Where it falls depends mainly on the number of leaders interviewed, whether the offsite is one or two days, and whether a board version and operating budget are included. Your proposal states the exact fee in writing.
Is there a long-term contract?
No lock-in. Projects have a defined scope and milestone payments, and the specific terms of any retainer, including notice, are set out in writing in your proposal.
Do you offer discounts?
No. We quote from the published rates and scope the work to fit your budget instead, for example by starting with a scorecard and quarterly reviews before a full plan.
Are travel costs for in-person offsites extra?
Any travel costs are discussed openly and confirmed in writing in your proposal before you commit, so there are no surprises.
Is the first consultation really free?
Yes. The initial 30-minute consultation is free, with no obligation, whether by phone, video call or in person.
Sources
- Canada Revenue Agency: GST/HST rates calculator (2026-10-23)