Pricing / direct delivery

Clear scope first. Then a fixed quote.

Choose a bounded diagnosis, a scoped build, or ongoing engineering leadership. Build pricing follows the system boundary, not a package ladder. Every project receives written scope, exclusions, milestones, and a fixed quote before work begins.

Diagnose
$7,500 fixed
Ship
$15,000–$60,000
Continue
$12,000 / month
See the three engagement shapes

3 engagement shapes, one accountable owner

Start with the constraint, not the biggest package.

The presentation is simple because the scoping work is not. Choose the decision you need now, then inspect the exact delivery lanes inside it.

Read the full service detail

Not ready to scope an engagement? The MVP Launch Blueprint is $49 and covers the scoping work before a build starts.

01

Diagnose

Get the decision right before committing build budget.

A bounded technical audit for teams that need architecture, risk, and sequencing clarity before choosing a delivery lane.

  • Risk-ranked backlog
  • Architecture decision notes
  • Written next-lane recommendation
Build Readiness AuditClarity, credited toward the buildExact scope: Read Build Readiness Audit details
$7,500 fixed1 week

100% of the fee credited toward Launch Build or Product Build if signed within 60 days

02

Ship

Scope the smallest build that can reach production responsibly.

One blocked workflow, one production surface, or multiple connected surfaces. The route changes with the system, not with a sales target.

  • Acceptance criteria before implementation
  • Weekly proof of shipped work
  • Deployment and handoff documentation
Rescue SprintUnblock one workflow fastExact scope: Read Rescue Sprint details
Launch BuildOne surface, fixed priceExact scope: Read Launch Build details
Product BuildMulti-surfaceExact scope: Read Product Build details
$15,000–$60,0002–8 weeks after scope lock

This is a planning range across three fixed delivery lanes. The written scope selects one fixed fee before work begins.

03

Continue

Keep senior engineering judgment after the build.

Ongoing architecture, roadmap, hiring, and execution support for prior ThynkQ clients or teams introduced through a warm referral.

  • Weekly decision cadence
  • Architecture and code-quality oversight
  • Defined monthly capacity and boundaries
Engineering RetainerGated accessExact scope: Read Engineering Retainer details
$12,000 / month3-month minimum

Monthly capacity, decision rights, and response expectations are written into the retainer scope before kickoff.

How the quote is formed

The number follows the delivery risk.

These are planning prices, not a menu designed to push buyers upward. Unusual integration scope is quoted after a free scoping call.

  • Number of product surfaces and connected workflows
  • Existing architecture and rebuild depth
  • Authentication, billing, integrations, and data migration
  • Security, privacy, and compliance requirements
  • Deadline, launch risk, and approval path

Specialist review

MCP Risk Review: 48 hours, $3,000

A bounded decision for teams connecting tool servers to sensitive AI workflows and needing a clear go, fix, or escalate recommendation.

Findings that need fixing move into a scoped $15,000 remediation engagement (2 weeks, priced on the existing Rescue Sprint shape), never an open-ended follow-on.

$3,00048 hours
Review MCP risk

Scope is the product

A fixed fee only works when the edges stay visible.

Open a lane to see its included artifacts, exclusions, and responsible next step. The selected build lane begins with those boundaries written down.

Build Readiness Audit1 week

Choose this when scope or architecture is unclear and you need risk visibility before committing build budget.

Included

  • Risk-ranked backlog with severity and dependency order
  • Architecture decision notes with alternatives
  • Security and performance findings with remediation priorities
  • Executive summary for founder and stakeholder alignment

Outside this lane

  • Implementation work, this lane diagnoses and sequences it
  • Multi-week delivery or production deployment
  • A stand-in for Launch Build or Product Build when launch is already urgent

Next step: Move to Launch Build or Product Build once scope is clear

Read Build Readiness Audit details
Rescue Sprint2 weeks

Choose this when one workflow is the blocker and speed matters more than a rebuild.

Included

  • Scoped outcome and acceptance criteria
  • Implemented workflow or integration
  • QA proof and responsive checks where UI is involved
  • Deployment or launch-readiness notes

Outside this lane

  • A new platform, rebuild, or multi-surface launch
  • Open-ended discovery on scope too unclear to fit two weeks
  • Ongoing leadership after the workflow ships

Next step: Move to Launch Build or Product Build if scope expands beyond one workflow

Read Rescue Sprint details
Launch Build4 weeks

Choose this when one production surface is defined and you need it live this quarter.

Included

  • Scope lock document with acceptance criteria by milestone
  • Weekly proof updates with shipped deltas and next decisions
  • Production deployment checklist and launch report
  • Handoff docs covering architecture, operations, and support path

Outside this lane

  • Multiple connected surfaces, that is Product Build
  • One-off blocker fixes, that is Rescue Sprint
  • Discovery for teams still deciding whether to build

Next step: Move to Product Build if scope grows to multiple surfaces

Read Launch Build details
Product Build8 weeks

Choose this when scope spans more than one connected surface or workflow.

Included

  • Scope lock document with acceptance criteria by milestone
  • Weekly proof updates with shipped deltas and next decisions
  • Production deployment checklist and launch report
  • Handoff docs covering architecture, operations, and support path

Outside this lane

  • One-off blocker fixes, that is Rescue Sprint
  • A single defined surface, that is Launch Build
  • Open-ended monthly advisory with no near-term launch target

Next step: Continue with the Engineering Retainer for ongoing leadership

Read Product Build details
Engineering Retainer3-month minimum

Available only after a completed ThynkQ build or a warm referral, not as a cold booking.

Included

  • Decision support on architecture, roadmap, and trade-offs
  • Code quality and system health oversight
  • Hiring loops, technical calibration, and team-structure guidance
  • Monthly leadership continuity and execution risk reduction

Outside this lane

  • Cold self-serve booking
  • A replacement for a one-time launch build
  • A single urgent workflow fix, that is Rescue Sprint

Next step: Available after a completed build or a warm referral

Read Engineering Retainer details

Commitment standard

The terms are clear before a calendar slot is committed.

  • 50/50 on everything up to $59,999.
  • Three milestones on $60,000+ engagements: 40/30/30.
  • The deposit is fully refundable if you cancel before kickoff begins. Once kickoff begins, the deposit is non-refundable. No work starts before the deposit clears.

Before you decide

Questions buyers ask before a project review.

How do I choose the right engagement?

Start with the Build Readiness Audit if scope is unclear. Use Rescue Sprint for one blocked workflow. Choose Launch Build for one production surface in 4 weeks, or Product Build for multiple connected surfaces in 8 weeks. The Engineering Retainer opens after a completed build or a warm referral.

When is Launch Build the default?

If your core workflow is defined and you need one production surface live this quarter, Launch Build is the default fixed-price lane. Multi-surface scope moves into Product Build.

What does a first production build cost, and which lane fits?

Fixed-scope build engagements run $7,500 to $60,000. Most teams start with the Build Readiness Audit ($7,500) for clarity first, or Launch Build ($30,000) for one production surface. Product Build ($60,000) covers multiple connected surfaces. The 48-hour MCP Risk Review is a separate $3,000 lane.

What can Rescue Sprint fix in 2 weeks?

Rescue Sprint focuses on one blocked or broken workflow: an AI integration, dashboard, onboarding flow, payment path, or internal automation. If more than one workflow is in scope, move to Launch Build or Product Build.

How does payment work?

50/50 on everything up to $59,999. Three milestones (40/30/30) on $60,000+ engagements. The deposit is fully refundable if you cancel before kickoff begins, and non-refundable once kickoff begins. No work starts before the deposit clears.

How do I get access to the Engineering Retainer?

The Engineering Retainer opens after a completed ThynkQ build or a warm referral. It is not a cold booking, and it is not listed as a self-serve option in the public pricing flow.

How do you prevent scope drift during builds?

Every engagement runs on milestone boundaries, weekly proof updates, and written acceptance criteria. Scope additions are reviewed before implementation starts.

Do I work directly with Rodolf?

Yes. You work directly with Rodolf from scoping through handoff. No relay chain and no hidden junior substitution.

What happens after launch?

Launch Build and Product Build both include 30 days of post-launch support. After that, you can continue with the Engineering Retainer or run ad-hoc support as needed.

The responsible next step

Send the system, the constraint, and the timing.

The reply will name the smallest responsible engagement or say directly if the work is not a fit.

Request a project review rodolf@thynkq.com