How much does an AI agency cost in the UK? 2026 prices compared

Index figures come from Augustova's UK AI Price Index, which collects 225 published prices from 71 providers, including Augustova's own.

The price rises with the number of systems the AI has to touch, how much custom code it needs and how much proof the buyer wants before the full build.

• Systems connected. Happy Webs charges from £2,000 for one workflow across 2 to 3 systems and from £5,000 for 3 to 5 workflows. Softomate's custom chatbot is from £5,000, or from £6,500 with one CRM connection.
• Platform or custom code. Softomate sets up an AI receptionist on GoHighLevel from £2,000 and builds a bespoke voice agent from £8,000.
• Proof stages. Ronins and Brainpool AI sell a proof of concept before production, at £12,000 to £35,000.
• Data readiness. SpotDev says that if data is "scattered across spreadsheets, duplicated or full of gaps, that groundwork has to happen first", which is why it sells a £5,000 assessment.
• Controls. Ronins prices production systems "with integration, governance and monitoring" from about £30,000.
• Who runs it afterwards. BRVO's model is a build then a managed fee per agent. Happy Webs includes a 30-day support window on a focused automation.

None of the 10 agencies checked published its own day rate on the pages read, and most sell fixed-price packages instead. Augustova's index found a median AI consultancy day rate of £1,213, from 4 providers that publish one, with a range of £800 to £1,500. Augustova's pricing page gives £575 a day as the measured UK contract median for an AI consultant, £400 to £800 as the quoted freelancer range and £2,000 to £5,000 for enterprise consultancies.

Compare first-year totals, not build prices. Add the build, 12 months of care and the running cost, then check what each quote leaves out.

Worked example with published floor prices, before usage:

• A Happy Webs focused automation costs £2,000 in year one if you need no retainer after the included 30-day support window.
• An Augustova first agent at £4,000, plus £50 to £250 a month to run, costs £4,600 to £7,000 in year one (£4,000 + 12 × £50, or + 12 × £250).
• A BRVO agent at £2,500 to £6,000, plus 12 × £400 management, costs £7,300 to £10,800 in year one.
• A Softomate controlled AI agent at £6,500, plus 12 × £399 care, costs £11,288 in year one.

Then ask each agency:

1. Is the price fixed, and what is excluded? Softomate bills platform fees, usage and hosting separately.
2. Is there a minimum term? BRVO's management fee has a 6-month minimum.
3. Is the audit credited? Augustova credits its £495 audit against a build booked within 90 days, and BRVO waives its £750 audit if you commit.
4. What happens if it fails? CodeLeap refunds in full if you cancel within the first 21 days of a build.
5. Who owns the code and the accounts, and from when?

The best AI agencies in the UK page groups these firms by buyer type, and the AI agent cost guide breaks down a single agent build.