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LongTermSoftware.com

Pricing for AI Consulting and Software Modernization

See current public starting prices for assessments, .NET and SQL modernization blueprints, reviewed AI workflows, governed RAG, reviewer applications, AI evaluation, and architecture access.

Package pricing

Keep package scope and starting prices clear before a sales conversation.

LongTermSoftware publishes starting prices to help buyers qualify the fit and brief internal stakeholders. Final scope still requires human review; the amounts are planning floors, not fixed bids, guarantees, certifications, or service-level agreements.

Best default first step

AI and Modernization Assessment — from $15k.

Use it before a rewrite, migration, AI pilot, RAG build, reviewer app, or retainer decision.

Book a 20-minute fit call

Fixed-scope package tiers

Compare scope, timeline, price, and buyer fit

Public starting prices help buyers self-qualify. Final scope depends on system access, evidence, integrations, review burden, data sensitivity, and deployment constraints.

2-week entry engagement

AI and Modernization Assessment

Starting from $15k; detailed ranges belong in the buyer packet.

Timeline
Typical duration: 2 weeks.
Best for
Teams that need a first move without a broad transformation program.
Core outputs
Risk map, Use-case shortlist, Integration seams

See scope and pricing

Legacy-system risk reduction

.NET / SQL Modernization Blueprint

Starting from $30k.

Timeline
Typical duration: 3–5 weeks.
Best for
Application owners facing rewrite pressure, undocumented rules, or fragile release paths.
Core outputs
Service seams, Parity risk map, Test strategy

See scope and pricing

Review-first pilot

Human-Reviewed AI Workflow Accelerator

Starting from $55k.

Timeline
Typical duration: 6–8 weeks.
Best for
Teams with one internal workflow where AI output could help but cannot be trusted blindly.
Core outputs
Prompt contracts, Retrieval pattern, Reviewer UI spec

See scope and pricing

Source-governed retrieval

Governed Knowledge / RAG Foundation

Starting from $75k.

Timeline
Typical duration: 8–10 weeks.
Best for
Knowledge, support, compliance, product, or engineering teams with scattered internal context.
Core outputs
Provenance metadata, Trust labels, Retrieval design

See scope and pricing

Internal AI product

AI Reviewer App MVP

Starting from $95k.

Timeline
Typical duration: 8–12 weeks.
Best for
Organizations ready to build a concrete internal AI tool rather than another detached chat surface.
Core outputs
Typed UI, Auth-aware workflow, Audit trail

See scope and pricing

Measure before scaling

AI Evaluation and Reliability Program

Starting from $60k.

Timeline
Typical duration: 6–10 weeks.
Best for
Teams already piloting AI but lacking measurable release gates and operational confidence.
Core outputs
Metric families, Test sets, Drift checks

See scope and pricing

Ongoing delivery stewardship

Fractional AI / Modernization Architect

Starting from $45k per quarter.

Timeline
Typical structure: quarterly retainer.
Best for
Companies that need senior architecture pressure without hiring a full-time executive or launching a large consultancy program.
Core outputs
Weekly reviews, Decision memos, Backlog repair

See scope and pricing

Advisory and retainer access

Use the right level of senior architecture pressure

These access tiers provide focused senior architecture support; detailed scope and cadence are confirmed before work begins.

Ad hoc architecture help

$150/hour

Focused architecture review, decision support, code/design discussion, or targeted modernization triage.

Boundary: Best for narrow questions; not a substitute for a fixed-scope assessment or implementation plan.

Monthly advisory minimum

From $2,000/month

Recurring advisory access for teams that need periodic architecture pressure and review.

Boundary: Scope and cadence must be confirmed before engagement.

Annual modernization support minimum

From $3,200/month

Long-running modernization support where backlog, testing, and architecture decisions need continuity.

Boundary: Not a managed-service or staff-augmentation bench by default.

Fractional AI / Modernization Architect

Starting from $45k per quarter

Weekly architecture reviews, decision memos, backlog repair, vendor/model decisions, and executive updates.

Boundary: Scope, cadence, responsibilities, and exclusions are confirmed in the written proposal.

How pricing should be read

Transparent planning posture, not an unsupported promise

Pricing helps buyers qualify quickly. The final engagement depends on system access, review burden, data sensitivity, integration count, and evidence requirements.

What can change scope?

Number of systems, stored-procedure complexity, regulated-data exposure, review workflow depth, integration count, and deployment constraints.

Public starting points

Package starting points are $15k, $30k, $55k, $75k, $95k, $60k, and $45k per quarter for the corresponding engagements.

What happens next?

Start with a fit call, then use assessment or blueprint scope only when the evidence supports a paid engagement.

Example buying scenarios

Match the commercial path to the decision you need to make

These examples show why different buyers start at different points in the service ladder.

We have SQL-heavy business logic and no reliable parity coverage.

.NET / SQL Modernization Blueprint

Starting from $30k

Review scope and deliverables

We want AI assistance, but output must be reviewed before use.

Human-Reviewed AI Workflow Accelerator

Starting from $55k

Review scope and deliverables

We already have teams, but need recurring senior architecture governance.

Fractional AI / Modernization Architect

Starting from $45k per quarter

Review scope and deliverables

Included, excluded, and procurement notes

Make the buying boundary clear before a proposal

The exact statement of work controls the engagement. These points explain the normal commercial posture without creating an unsupported guarantee.

Normally included

  • Named artifacts and review points
  • Documented scope, timeline, responsibilities, and exclusions
  • Public price floor and package-specific buyer fit
  • Private handling path when system evidence requires it

Normally excluded unless scoped

  • Penetration testing or legal advice
  • Compliance or safety certification
  • Unlimited production support or managed-service SLAs
  • Unrestricted autonomous production actions

Before a proposal

  • Confirm buyer decision and system owner
  • Identify sensitive-data handling needs
  • Clarify evidence and integration access
  • Choose fixed package, advisory, or no-go path

Pricing FAQ

Questions buyers ask before requesting scope

Why publish starting prices?

Public price floors help buyers self-qualify and prepare internal discussions before a sales call. They are planning posture, not fixed bids.

What most often expands scope?

Additional systems, undocumented SQL behavior, regulated-data handling, identity integration, review-workflow depth, deployment constraints, and evidence requirements.

When is assessment-first recommended?

Assessment-first is recommended when the problem spans several systems, the business rules are not mapped, or the buyer is comparing several AI or modernization paths.

When does a fixed package fit?

A fixed package fits when the buyer problem, owners, evidence access, systems, and deliverable boundaries are sufficiently clear.

When is advisory access a better fit?

Advisory or retainer access fits when an internal team already owns implementation and needs recurring senior review, decision support, or roadmap governance.

Does regulated data change the commercial process?

It can. Sensitive environments may require secure channels, additional review, restricted access, or client-controlled tooling that changes scope and timeline.

Next step

Start with a short fit call, then scope the assessment.

The first conversation should decide whether the next step is a fixed-scope assessment, modernization blueprint, governed AI pilot, or reliability review.

Book a 20-minute fit call