Discovery & Pricing

START WITH A FREE INITIAL ASSESSMENT

Every project starts with a free initial assessment of your objectives and requirements. If there is enough information to establish a reliable scope, we can move directly towards a quotation.

If something important is unclear, reasonable, bounded clarification is also free. We may ask follow-up questions about your objectives, existing systems, dependencies or practical constraints. This happens only where needed, rather than as an automatic extra stage.

INDICATIVE PROJECT PRICING

The following GBP ranges give a broad indication of overall project engagement values across SEA Optimisation and Shared Knowledge. Each division is scoped and quoted separately.

These are indicative engagement bands, not fixed-price packages, guaranteed quotations, internal complexity tiers or Discovery-only fees. The £3,000+ band has no fixed upper ceiling. Your written quotation is based on the agreed scope.

Price depends on what needs to be delivered, the condition of existing systems or source material, integrations, testing and governance requirements. Paid Discovery, ongoing support, hosting, licensing and third-party costs are separately scoped and disclosed where applicable.

WHEN PAID DISCOVERY HELPS

Where material uncertainty remains and substantial investigation is justified, we may propose paid Discovery. Starting too early can mean pricing the wrong job, building around missing information or uncovering a major limitation during delivery. Discovery addresses those questions before they become extra cost or delay.

Discovery has its own defined scope and price and starts only with your explicit approval. It is never required automatically because of a project tier or price band. The normal fee is 20% of anticipated total project value, subject to human review and approval. Any credit towards later implementation is discretionary and explicitly agreed; it is not automatic.

WHAT YOU RECEIVE

You receive useful standalone written diagnostic findings: a clearer problem definition, evidence, the assumptions and constraints that matter, material risks or unknowns, required action and a recommended next step. Discovery is investigative; it does not include design, build or implementation work.

The outcome may be a scope we can quote, a reshaped request, a pause while prerequisites are resolved, further separately scoped investigation or a decision not to proceed. Paid Discovery does not guarantee an implementation quotation or commit either party to a build.

WHEN THE TECHNICAL DETAIL MATTERS

Some work involves greater responsibility because it affects important business decisions, sensitive information, money, safety or other high-consequence areas. We examine authority, safeguards, testing and human oversight before proposing a system, so it is appropriate for the job it is being asked to do.

FROM QUOTATION TO DELIVERY

Before implementation starts, we agree the written scope, exclusions, commercial terms and delivery model, and confirm the required payment, information, access and approvals. Ongoing support or maintenance is included only where separately agreed.