Two ways to pay. One way the system gets better.
Pick the build. Pick the model. Pick the commitment. Most clients buy the build, then sustain. A few want us deeply embedded. Either works.
Why longer commitments are discounted (and why we recommend them)
A Living system is most valuable in month 12, not month 1.
Every night the Brain gets denser. Every month the AI Change Tracker rolls in new model capabilities. The Comms Engine learns your voice. The Content Studio learns your audience. The Workflow Studio learns your operators. The dashboard adapts to how you actually use it.
Three months gives you a working Living system. Six months gives it a real personality. Twelve months puts your business genuinely ahead of competitors who are still treating their website like a billboard.
The discounts below aren’t a sales gimmick. They’re an honest reflection of the fact that the longer you commit, the more value we can deliver (and the more we can invest in your specific system).
Recommended: 12-month commitment. It’s where the math, the system, and the partnership all peak.
Two ways to work with us.
Side-by-side comparison. Detailed tables below.
Build & Sustain
You pay for the build upfront. Then a smaller monthly retainer keeps it learning, secure, and current with AI.
Build upfront, smaller retainer.
Embedded Partnership
Smaller kickoff. Larger monthly. We build continuously, you don't pay separately for each new feature. Best when you know you'll want a lot built over the next year.
Smaller kickoff, larger monthly covers continuous build.
Build & Sustain
You pay for the build upfront. Then a smaller monthly retainer keeps it learning, secure, and current with AI.
| Product | Build | 3-mo | 6-mo · -5% | 12-mo · -10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Website Refresh | $5,000 | $500/mo | $475/mo | $450/mo |
| Living Websiterecommended | $15,000 | $1,000/mo | $950/mo | $900/mo |
| Living Dashboard | $25,000 | $1,500/mo | $1,425/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Living App | $25,000+ | $1,500/mo | $1,425/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Bespoke enterprise | Quoted on the call · No retainer required | |||
What “sustain” covers
- Uptime + security monitoring + backups
- Nightly Learning Loop runs every night
- AI Change Tracker, new models/tools rolled in when they help
- Edit Yourself feedback queue, same day shipping
- Monthly check in call
- Light edits + small new features
- Full access to your Living Dashboard
Year-1 example · Living Website
- 3-month$15K + $3,000 = $18,000
- 6-month$15K + $5,700 = $20,700
- 12-month$15K + $10,800 = $25,800
Saves $1,200 vs. month-to-month over 12 months, and the system is genuinely smarter by month 12.
Embedded Partnership
Smaller kickoff. Larger monthly. We build continuously, you don't pay separately for each new feature. Best when you know you'll want a lot built over the next year.
Operator
recommended$1-5M businesses wanting continuous AI integration without separate build invoices
Embedded
$5-20M businesses with multiple systems to build and ongoing complexity
Enterprise
Multi brand / multi location / dedicated team requirements
Custom terms
Switching between models
You can move between models. Most clients start with Build & Sustain (because it’s cleaner to budget) and graduate to Embedded once they see how much there is to keep building. A few start Embedded from day one. We’ll recommend whichever fits during the discovery call.
Common questions.
What if I want to stop?+
All retainers have a 3-month minimum. After that, month-to-month. The build is yours forever. Sustain or Embedded can pause anytime after the minimum.
Why discount for longer commitments?+
Honesty. The Brain compounds. The Nightly Learning Loop only matters if it runs 30+ times. The AI Change Tracker only pays off if it rolls in a year of upgrades. We discount the long term because that's where the system is genuinely most valuable, and we want you to choose what fits your business, not feel rushed by a fake deadline.
What happens if I skip the retainer entirely?+
The system still works. It just stops learning, stops getting AI updates, and you'll have to ship your own edits.
Do you take equity?+
Sometimes. Ask.
What about my existing tools?+
We integrate. We don't replace unless you want.
Can my team see what's in the Brain?+
Yes. Everything except our internal strategy notes.
What if I need something built mid-retainer (Embedded only)?+
If it's small/medium, it's covered. If it's a brand-new product (a whole new app or dashboard), we'll quote it separately and apply your retainer hours as a credit.
Can I prepay the year for an extra discount?+
Yes. Additional 5% off on top of the 12-month rate when you prepay annually. Total: 15% off vs. month-to-month.
Can I upgrade mid-term (3 → 6 → 12)?+
Yes, anytime. We honor the discount from the new tier going forward, no penalty for upgrading.
Still want a real number?
Book a 30-min call. You’ll have an exact quote and a 90-day roadmap by end of day.