Should you hire an AI automation agency or build the capability in-house? The answer depends on 4 factors.
| Factor | Agency | In-House |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | $3K-$25K project | $80K-$150K/yr salary + tools |
| Time to production | 4-8 weeks | 3-6 months (after hiring) |
| Breadth of expertise | Multiple platforms, industries | Deep on your specific stack |
| Ongoing cost | $1.5K-$5K/mo retainer | $80K-$150K/yr + benefits |
| Risk if they leave | Documentation + handoff included | Knowledge walks out the door |
Choose an Agency If
- You need systems built in weeks, not months
- You don't have budget for a full-time technical hire ($80K+/yr)
- You need breadth of platform expertise
- You want to start with a project and scale to a retainer
Choose In-House If
- You have 20+ hours/week of ongoing automation work
- You can afford and attract specialized talent
- Your tech stack is highly custom and needs daily attention
Not sure? Start with an audit.
We'll tell you honestly whether an agency (us or otherwise) or an in-house hire makes more sense for your business.
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