“How much does AI consultancy cost?” — and “what’s the day rate?” — are among the most-searched UK AI questions. Here’s an honest answer for 2026, without the inflated or made-up figures you’ll find elsewhere. (dgm implements osFoundry as an independent partner.)
Why there’s no single figure
UK AI consultancy rates vary enormously — by firm size, consultant seniority, and project scope. An independent contractor, a boutique, and a Big Four consultancy will quote wildly different numbers for nominally “the same” work. So any blog quoting a single “AI consultant hourly rate” is, at best, an average that won’t match your situation. Treat single figures with caution and get a written quote.
The pricing models
UK AI consultancy is typically priced one of these ways:
| Model | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Day rate | You pay per consultant-day | Open-ended or advisory work |
| Fixed-fee project | A set price for a defined outcome | Well-scoped projects |
| Monthly retainer | Ongoing support for a monthly fee | Continuous improvement |
| Assessment + implementation | A fixed assessment, then implementation | Adoption from scratch |
For a defined outcome, fixed-fee or assessment-plus-implementation gives you the most cost certainty.
What actually drives the cost
The cost is driven by work, not licences:
- Scope — how much you’re automating.
- Data complexity — how messy, sensitive or scattered your data is.
- Integration depth — how many systems it touches.
- Ongoing support — one-off vs continuous.
Crucially, software licences are increasingly usage-priced (cents per query, not big up-front seats), so the platform is rarely the big cost. The scoping, data preparation and integration is.
How to keep costs down
The cheapest, lowest-risk approach: start with a small, well-scoped pilot around one measurable outcome. Prove value, then scale. Use usage-priced platforms to avoid big up-front licences, and bring your own model keys so you pay providers directly rather than a marked-up rate.
What dgm charges
We’ll be straight: dgm uses a fixed-fee assessment and roadmap, followed by a monthly integration engagement, with no per-seat fees on the platform. We don’t publish a one-size figure here because the right scope genuinely depends on your project — and quoting a number that doesn’t fit you would be misleading. For a current quote, contact dgm.
Where osFoundry fits
dgm implements on osFoundry, which is usage-priced with no per-seat fees and supports bring-your-own-key — so your platform cost scales with use rather than seats, and a five-person team costs the same as one doing the same work. That keeps the ongoing cost predictable and low, which matters as much as the project fee. Data control via self-hosting or an EU region (osFoundry publishes US/EU/JP regions, not a UK one).
dgm is an independent integration partner with zero integrations so far. To get a quote for a scoped AI project, book a consultation with dgm. General information, not a fixed price quote.