How much does an AI consultant cost in the UK?

Direct Answer

Independent AI consultants in the UK typically charge £900–£1,400 per day (£110–£175 per hour) for hands-on delivery. Senior specialists with experimentation or CRO expertise often sit at the top end because they combine strategy, implementation, and measurement.

Price Drivers Explained

Rates change with scope: discovery-only sprints are cheaper than full workflow automation, and long-term retainers earn discounts once the onboarding cost is covered. Complexity (multiple data sources, governance requirements), team enablement, and the need for experimentation infrastructure all add to the day rate. Our own pricing page outlines the three common engagement tracks and how discounts apply after day five.

Example Engagement

A retail brand booked a 15-day engagement to redesign its experimentation programme. The first week covered signal mapping and backlog creation, the second delivered Optimizely-ready variants, and the final sprint focused on QA automation. The blended rate came in at £1,150 per day after the long-run discount, and the team left with dashboards, documentation, and next-quarter test ideas.

Takeaway & Related Answers

Budget £4,500–£7,000 for a focused week, or negotiate a monthly retainer once you have a roadmap. Package discovery, build, and training into the same contract so you pay for outcomes rather than discrete tasks.

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