What actually drives the price
There's no flat rate for "an automation" because the range is enormous — a single-step file mover and a multi-system data pipeline are both automations. The cost comes down to how complex the logic is, how many systems it touches, and how clean the inputs are.
We scope every project against those drivers and quote it honestly, rather than dropping a number that doesn't survive contact with your actual process.
- Number of steps and how much branching or decision logic they involve
- How many systems it connects and whether they have clean APIs or need custom integration
- Data quality — messy, inconsistent inputs take more work to handle safely
- Volume and reliability needs (a nightly job vs. a real-time critical process)
- Whether existing tools can be assembled or something has to be built from scratch
- Ongoing hosting, monitoring, and support after launch
How the pricing usually works
Most automation work is quoted as a fixed project price once the scope is clear, sometimes with a separate, smaller ongoing amount for hosting and support. Simple, well-defined jobs can be a flat quote; larger or fuzzier ones may start with a short paid discovery phase so the estimate is based on facts, not assumptions.
We'll always tell you the pricing unit up front — what's a one-time build, what's recurring, and what could change the number.
- A one-time build cost for the automation itself
- An optional recurring cost for hosting, monitoring, and maintenance
- Third-party subscription costs (a no-code platform, a cloud service) passed through transparently
- A short discovery phase for complex projects so the main quote is accurate
Thinking about payback
The useful question isn't "what does it cost" but "what does the manual version cost you today." Add up the hours per week, the error rate, and the delay, and most automations show clearly whether they'll pay back in months or not at all.
We're happy to say when the math doesn't work. If a task runs twice a year, automating it rarely makes sense — and we'll tell you.
- Count the hours spent per week and multiply by your loaded labor cost
- Factor in the cost of the mistakes the manual process introduces
- Weigh the value of speed — faster invoices, faster reports, faster decisions
- Be honest about frequency: rare tasks often aren't worth automating
More on automation & scripts
Frequently asked questions
Why won't you just give me a price?
Because a number given without knowing your process would be a guess, and a wrong guess helps no one. A short conversation about what you're automating lets us give you a real estimate. The consultation itself is free.
Is it cheaper to use a no-code tool?
Sometimes, yes — for simple, low-volume workflows a no-code subscription can be the most cost-effective option, and we'll recommend it when it fits. Custom work tends to win on high volume, complex logic, or when per-task fees would add up. It depends on your case.
Are there ongoing costs after the build?
There can be. Hosting, monitoring, and any third-party services usually carry a small recurring cost, and many clients want a support arrangement so breakages get fixed fast. We separate one-time from recurring costs clearly so there are no surprises.