How We Scope and Quote Projects
We quote each project individually, as a fixed price in US dollars for a written scope. This page explains what shapes the number, what the quote includes and how we handle changes.
Short answer
Every project gets a written, fixed-price quote in US dollars based on the method, the number of pages or flows, the number and type of participants, the deliverables and the timeline. Participant incentives are listed separately. There is no charge for the scoping conversation or the quote.
On this page
Why we quote instead of listing prices
Two projects with the same name can differ a lot in effort. An audit of a five-page brochure site and an audit of a store with hundreds of product variations both count as audits, but they need very different amounts of time. A published price list would either overcharge the first or undercharge the second. A written quote for a defined scope is fairer to both sides.
If you want a sense of the wider market before you contact us, our guide to UX audit costs collects ranges published by other providers, with their sources. Those figures describe the market, not our prices.
What shapes the price
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Method | An expert audit needs less time than research with participants; combined methods cost more than either alone |
| Scope | The number of pages, flows, devices and audience segments in the review |
| Participants | How many sessions, and how hard the audience is to recruit |
| Incentives | Payments to participants, listed separately and passed through at cost |
| Deliverables | A findings report alone, or a report plus clips, a journey map, a backlog or a workshop |
| Timeline | Very short deadlines may need more of our time in fewer days |
| Rounds | A second round of testing after changes ship is quoted as its own phase |
We try to keep scopes small and focused. A tight scope on the path that matters most is better value than a broad review that touches everything lightly.
What a quote includes
Every quote is a short written document that states:
- The questions the project will answer, in plain language.
- The method, the pages or flows in scope and the devices covered.
- The number and type of participants, where relevant, and how they will be recruited.
- What you will receive, with formats.
- What we need from you, such as access, a contact person and approval of the plan.
- The timeline, as a planned schedule from approval to readout.
- The fixed fee in US dollars, and any pass-through costs listed on their own lines.
- The payment schedule and accepted payment methods.
- What is out of scope.
The quote is valid for 30 days. Nothing starts until you approve it in writing, by email or signature.
Participant incentives and other pass-through costs
Incentives are the payments participants receive for their time. They depend on the audience: specialist professionals expect more than general consumers. We list the incentive amount per participant and the total separately from our fee, so you can see exactly what goes to participants. Recruiting panel fees, if a panel is used, are listed the same way.
You can choose to pay incentives directly to participants recruited from your own customers. If you do, our guide to consent and incentives explains the IRS reporting threshold for payments to individuals.
When the scope changes
Projects sometimes uncover something important that the original scope did not cover. When that happens, we stop, describe the change and its cost in writing, and wait for your approval before doing extra work. You will never receive an invoice for work you did not agree to.
If you need to reduce the scope after approval, we adjust the fee for work not yet done. If you need to cancel, you pay for work completed up to that point and any incentives already committed to participants.
Payment
The payment schedule appears in each quote. Smaller projects may be invoiced in one payment; larger ones may be split by phase. All prices are in US dollars. Applicable taxes, if any, are stated on the invoice.
The scoping conversation
To prepare a quote, we need to understand your site, your audience and the decision the research needs to support. Most of this can happen by email. Tell us what the site is for, what worries you about it, any deadlines and any research you have already done. We will reply with questions or a draft scope. There is no charge for this step and no obligation to proceed.
Questions about quotes and payment
Do you offer a discount for nonprofits?
We consider reduced fees for nonprofit organizations case by case. Mention it when you contact us and we will discuss what is possible for your scope.
Can we pay by card?
Accepted payment methods are listed in each quote. If you need a particular method for your accounting process, tell us during scoping.
Can the fee change after we approve the quote?
Only when you approve a scope change in writing. Without that approval, the fee in the quote is the fee you pay.