Buy an audit elsewhere if
- You want a ranked, written plan across the whole business first
- You expect a larger build afterward
- You need an ROI report for someone else to approve
Consult / AI audit cost
Comparison · checked October 19, 2026
Do you need a paid AI audit first? $299 vs $1,500 vs $4,500 vs a free call
Several AI firms start every engagement with a paid audit. That can be worth it for a business with many moving parts. For one clear task, a free call and a paid hour is often enough. Here are the published audit prices and how to decide.
Published audit prices (checked October 19, 2026)
| Firm | Audit price | What their page says you get |
|---|---|---|
| Horizon | From $299 (1 to 15 employees) | Interviews, a process map, an opportunity matrix, and an ROI report |
| AIessentials | $1,500 | A workflow review and a written roadmap ranked by return |
| Carlo Sansonetti | From $4,500 | A two-week look and a short written plan in priority order |
| AgentHive Inc | No audit fee | A free 30-minute call with a first step and an hour estimate |
Each price is from the firm's own page. Horizon lists higher audit prices for larger companies.
When a paid audit is worth it
- Several teams or departments, each with different tools
- You do not know which task to start with
- You need a written plan to show partners or a board
When one paid hour is enough
- You already know the task that eats your week
- The work lives in tools you already pay for
- You want something working before you spend on a plan
What AgentHive Inc charges
AgentHive Inc: a free 30-minute call, then $75 for 30 minutes, $150 an hour, or a 10-hour pack for $1,250 ($125 an hour, $625 up front, the rest when the hours start). Paid on Stripe, no contract. Daniel Graham runs every session by video in your own accounts, one task at a time, for owners anywhere in the US. AI Concierge is the $2,000-a-month retainer if you want someone every month.
Skip the audit with AgentHive Inc if
- You have one task in mind
- You want to pay for time only as you use it
- You want the setup in your own accounts
Questions
How much does an AI audit cost a small business?
Published prices we found start at $299 (Horizon, 1 to 15 employees), $1,500 (AIessentials), and from $4,500 (Carlo Sansonetti). Checked October 19, 2026.
Does AgentHive Inc charge for an audit?
No. We start with a free 30-minute call and give you a first step and an hour estimate. Paid time is $75 per 30 minutes or $150 an hour.
Can I get a written plan from AgentHive Inc?
Yes. Paid work comes with notes you keep: what was set up, where it lives, and the next step. For a bigger job, a 10-hour pack ($1,250) covers several sessions.
Sources
Plain-text sources, no outbound links. Each was read on the date shown. Prices change, so check before you compare.
- Horizon: horizonworks.ai blog, "How Much Does AI Consulting Cost in 2026?" (February 2026), checked October 19, 2026.
- AIessentials: aiessentials.us, AI Consulting & Team Training page (prices and FAQ), checked October 19, 2026.
- Carlo Sansonetti: carlosansonetti.com home page (services, starting prices, Fractional AI Officer minimum), checked October 19, 2026.
- AgentHive Inc: agenthiveinc.com/consult (prices, how it works, FAQ), checked October 19, 2026.