Four ways to work. One formula.
Every engagement uses the same pricing formula. The tier multiplier follows the type of work; difficulty doesn't change it. You know your tier before we start, and the formula sets the price.
What Is My Tier?
3 questions. 30 seconds. Know before you engage.
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Side-by-Side Comparison
All four tiers at a glance.
| Service Tier | Remote | Live | Advisory | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multiplier | ×1.0 | ×1.5 | ×1.75 | ×2.0 |
| Effective rate (8h) | $86/h | $129/h | $150/h | $171/h |
| 8h total | $685 | $1,030 | $1,200 | $1,370 |
| Your presence required? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Session type | Async | Scheduled | Scheduled | Immediate |
| Best for | I solve it, you get results | We solve it together, in real time | I teach, you learn, we validate | Everything stops. Any hour. Immediate |
How Tier Is Determined
Consultant determines tier at session start — based on the nature of the work, not client preference. This prevents misclassification and ensures fair billing.
Tier communicated before work begins — you always know the multiplier before the clock starts. No surprises.
Tier drift can occur mid-session — with a documented split. Hours before the drift bill at the starting tier rate, hours after at the new tier rate.
Tier Drift Rules
What happens when tier drift occurs during an active session.
Example: mid-session tier drift
Consultant determines tier — not negotiable, but always communicated before work starts.
Tier set at session start — stated explicitly in the initial message.
Mid-session shift — hours before the shift billed at original rate, hours after at new rate. Shift moment documented with timestamp.
No retroactive changes — tier at time of work is tier of billing, always.
De-escalation possible — Emergency → Live once crisis resolved. Same split logic.
Disputes resolve objectively — reference timestamps + tier definitions. No ambiguity.
Explore Each Tier
Click for full details, scenarios, and pricing.
Remote
×1.0I solve it, you get results
Scheduled config, maintenance, batch updates
Live
×1.5We solve it together, real-time screen sharing
Screen sharing, debugging, training-adjacent
Advisory
×1.75I teach, you learn, we validate — architecture, certification prep, AI workflows.
AI workflows, cert prep, architecture review
Emergency
×2.0Total priority override — crisis response regardless of hour or schedule.
Production down, security breach, off-hours
Not sure which tier?
Take the quiz above, or just reach out — I'll confirm the tier before we start.
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