How Much Does a Business Consultant Cost in 2026? Complete Pricing Guide
Business consulting prices range from $290/month to $7,500 - depending on engagement type, consultant experience, and depth of involvement. Here's everything you need to know.
By Ligal Frish
The price question is the first one that comes up when considering a business consultant, but it's not always the right question. The right question is: what is it costing me NOT to hire a consultant? Here are realistic price ranges in the 2026 US/UK market.
Business consulting in 2026: one-time diagnostic session $290-$750. Basic monthly retainer (2-4 hours) $900-$2,100/month. Intensive engagement (4-8 hours + ongoing support) $2,100-$4,500. Full fractional CEO: $4,500-$7,500/month. At Plan B Business: diagnostic $290, B-Start engagement $1,290/month.
Why such a wide spread in prices
The variance comes from four variables: consultant experience and industry background, depth of involvement (how many hours and what level), scope of topics (marketing only, strategy, all topics), and firm name. An independent consultant with 5 years of experience will charge very differently from a large consulting firm with brand recognition.
What you get in each price range
$290-$750: one diagnostic session with a roadmap, no ongoing support.
$900-$2,100/month: 2-4 sessions with ongoing follow-up, fits businesses up to $1.5M revenue.
$2,100-$4,500/month: deep engagement with continuous presence, fits businesses $1.5M-$6M.
$4,500-$7,500/month: fractional CEO, fits high-growth companies.
What to verify before paying
Is there a trial period with an exit option? (key credibility test)
What are the success metrics? (without metrics there's no accountability)
Is there a written contract with hours and topics specified?
What happens if you're not satisfied? (30-day guarantee = confidence test)
Realistic ROI on business consulting
The right way to evaluate consulting cost: not how much it costs, but how much it returns. A client paying $1,290/month who improves profitability by $15,000/year - 11x ROI. Most often, the right consulting pays back in 2-4 months.
Plan B Business pricing
We offer two paths: a one-time diagnostic at $290 (90 minutes, deep analysis, written roadmap) and monthly retainer packages starting at $1,290/month with 30-day full guarantee. Our approach: results first, commitment after.