Cost
What it costs to outsource AI automation to the Philippines
There is no single number, because the work is quoted per project from a written scope. This page sets out what moves the price, how a quote is produced, and what is and is not inside it, so you can read any quote line by line.
- Priced
- Per project, from a written scope
- Figures on this page
- None, in any currency
- Vendor costs
- Billed to you by the tool vendors
Six things that change a quote
Scope
What is being built
One assistant on one channel is a small scope. Several workflows with approvals, exceptions and reporting is a larger one. The scope lists each piece, so you can remove or defer one and see the quote change.
Channels and systems
How many things it touches
Each channel and each system is a connection to build, secure and test. A form and a sheet is a short job. WhatsApp, a CRM, a store and an accounting tool in one flow is a longer one.
Data condition
What state your records are in
Clean, consistent records connect directly. Duplicates, free-text fields and several versions of one list need mapping and cleaning before a workflow can rely on them.
Testing depth
How much has to be proven
A simple reminder needs a few test cases. An assistant that answers customers needs testing against your real past questions, the awkward ones included, and a review by your staff.
Support level
What happens after handover
Some teams run the build themselves from the handover notes. Others want changes and monitoring handled. Support is optional and quoted on its own.
Tool subscriptions
What the vendors charge
Workflow hosting, AI usage, CRM plans and messaging fees are set and billed by the vendors. They are listed in the quote as estimates of someone else's bill, separate from our fees.
What makes each driver smaller or larger
Use this to describe your project in the form. The more of the right-hand column you recognise, the more scoping the quote needs.
| Driver | A smaller scope looks like | A larger scope looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | One workflow or one assistant with a clear start and end | Several workflows that depend on each other, with approvals and exceptions |
| Channels | One inbox or one chat channel | Chat, email, text and voice sharing the same answers and records |
| Systems | Tools with a documented API and admin access ready | Older or custom systems, limited plans or access that needs a third party |
| Data condition | One current list with consistent fields | Several lists to merge, duplicates and fields used in different ways |
| Testing depth | Internal process, low consequence if a step is retried | Customer-facing replies, regulated topics or money movement to check |
| Support level | Handover notes and a walkthrough, run by your team | Changes, monitoring and reporting handled for you afterwards |
No amounts are shown. The figures that matter are the ones in your own written quote.
Getting a number
How a quote is produced
You send the form below
Your country and time zone, what you want built, the tools involved and roughly how much volume passes through them.
We reply with questions
If something is unclear, we ask in writing. If automation is not the right move for a step, we say that instead.
Scoping call
Held inside an overlap window that suits your time zone. We look at a real example of the process and the accounts involved.
Written scope and quote
It lists what will be built, what you provide, how it will be tested, our fees and the vendors' tool costs, line by line, in the currency agreed.
You decide
Nothing is built and no access is used until you approve the scope. Anything outside it is quoted before it is done.
What a quote includes and what it does not
Included in our fees
- Scoping, design and build of the pieces listed in the scope
- Testing with your real examples, shown to you before launch
- Documentation, an access list and a recorded walkthrough at handover
- Written updates at the end of each stage
Not included unless the scope says so
- Tool subscriptions, AI usage and messaging fees, which the vendors bill to you
- Support, changes and monitoring after handover, quoted separately
- Work on systems or channels added after the scope is approved
- Legal, tax or compliance advice, and taxes your own country applies to the purchase
Costs billed by the tool vendors
These are paid by you to each vendor, in accounts you own. The quote names the ones your build needs.
- Workflow hosting
- An n8n plan or a server to run it on. Which one fits depends on volume and where you want the workflows to run.
- AI usage
- The model that reads and writes messages is charged by use. Longer conversations and larger documents use more.
- CRM and business tools
- Your GoHighLevel, HubSpot, store or accounting plan. Some features and API access depend on the plan tier.
- Messaging
- The WhatsApp Business Platform and SMS providers charge per message or conversation at rates that vary by country.
Compare cost structures with your own figures
A project quote, a freelancer's rate and a salary are paid for differently, so compare the structures and fill in your own numbers. We quote no amounts as typical and cite no wage or rate figures.
- Delivery team: a project fee, plus vendor subscriptions, plus any support you choose.
- Solo freelancer: a rate multiplied by the time used, plus tools and the time you spend directing and reviewing.
- In-house hire: salary and benefits for the share of the role spent on automation, plus tools and a manager's time.
The three routes are set side by side on Philippine team, freelancer or in-house hire. For the general cost drivers of a local project, see the pricing page.
Four things that make a quote more exact
Process
One real example, start to finish
A recent enquiry, order or request, with every step and every person it passed through.
Tools
The tools and the plans you are on
Name each system and its plan tier. API access and some features depend on the tier.
Volume
Roughly how much passes through
An order of magnitude is enough: a handful a day, dozens or hundreds.
Rules
Your data and approval rules
What must be approved by a person, what data must stay in which tool and any terms a supplier has to accept.
Request a quote
Tell us about the project
Include your country and time zone, the tools involved and the currency you would like the quote in. This goes to our team and helps us prepare for the call.
Questions we get asked
Why is there no price list?
Because a single workflow between two tools and a multi-channel assistant connected to a CRM are very different amounts of work. A published figure would be wrong for most buyers, so the number comes from your scope.
Which currency is the quote in?
The currency is agreed in the quote. Say in the form which one your accounts team prefers.
Do you charge by time or by seat?
Neither. The engagement is a scoped project with a written handover, and the quote is for that scope. Support after handover is optional and quoted on its own.
Are tool subscriptions part of your fee?
No. Subscriptions, AI usage and messaging fees are billed to you by the vendors in accounts you own. The quote lists them separately so you can see both.
What makes a quote go up after it is approved?
Only a change to the scope that you ask for or approve. Anything outside the scope is described and quoted before it is done.
Can we start with one small piece?
Yes. Many projects begin with one workflow or one channel. The scope can name later additions so you see how they would fit and be quoted.
Is the scoping call charged?
The scoping call is how we prepare your quote. If we think a paid consulting engagement would serve you better first, we say so before you commit to anything.
Next step
Request a quote.
Describe the project, the tools and your time zone. You receive a written scope and a quote with our fees and the vendor costs listed separately.