BusinessHome.ca uses the published consulting rates of the Sedighi.ca group: hourly consulting at $175 to $350, fixed-price projects from $3,500 to $25,000, monthly retainers from $2,500 to $12,000, and a custom, performance-based Growth Partner Program. All prices are in Canadian dollars, plus GST/HST by province. The initial 30-minute consultation is free, with no obligation. The group's full rate card is on BusinessConsulting.ca's pricing page.
Hourly consulting
$175–$350 /hour
Strategy sessions and expert advice by the hour.
Project
$3,500–$25,000 per project
Defined-scope work such as a plan, assessment or launch, with milestone payments.
Monthly retainer
$2,500–$12,000 /month
Ongoing advisory and execution support.
Growth Partner Program
Custom
Performance-based partnership: Ali invests time upfront and is paid on measurable results. Limited partnerships available.
Free initial consultation · no lock-in. The initial 30-minute consultation is free, with no obligation.
Prices in Canadian dollars. Sales tax is added based on the client's province (as of October 2026, CRA rates): 5% GST in Alberta, BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon, NWT and Nunavut; 13% HST in Ontario; 14% HST in Nova Scotia; 15% HST in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and PEI; 5% GST plus 9.975% QST in Quebec. Provincial sales tax (BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) only where it applies to the service. See full pricing on businessconsulting.ca/pricing.
The four formats
Pick the format by how big the question is, not by how big the business is.
| Format | Price (CAD, before GST/HST) | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly consulting | $175–$350 per hour | A focused question, such as a price check, a hire-or-wait call, or reviewing a lease offer's numbers |
| Project | $3,500–$25,000, fixed | A defined piece of work with a finished output, paid in milestones |
| Monthly retainer | $2,500–$12,000 per month | Ongoing advice and hands-on support while you grow |
| Growth Partner Program | Custom | Performance-based partnership; limited places |
Which format each service usually uses
Most home-based owners begin with hourly sessions, and some move to a project.
- Pricing and profit review: one or two hourly sessions if your numbers are ready, or a small project with a full time audit and price sheet.
- Getting found without a storefront: usually a project, since it includes building listings, a website and routines.
- Scheduling and capacity: hourly sessions or a small project, depending on how much setup you want done with you.
- First-hire planning: typically a project, with an optional retainer through the first months of the hire.
- The leave-home decision: hourly sessions for a simple comparison, or a project if a move plan is included.
What drives the cost
Four things move a quote, and the first two are largely in your control.
- How ready your numbers are. If you can pull last year's income, a rough list of costs and a sample of your calendar, we spend time on decisions rather than detective work.
- How much you want done with you. Advice alone costs less than building listings, templates and schedules together.
- How many decisions are bundled. One question is cheaper than three.
- How long support continues. A one-off plan costs less than months of check-ins.
Is it worth it? A way to check
Compare the fee with what the fix is likely to be worth over a year, using your own figures. Suppose a home-based bookkeeper bills 80 hours a month at $60. A pricing review that moves her to $68 with no lost clients adds $640 a month, about $7,680 a year. Two hourly sessions at the low end of the range cost $350 plus GST/HST. If she lost a couple of clients in the change, the gain would be smaller, but still a multiple of the fee.
That arithmetic will not always come out so clearly, and we will say so when it doesn't. If a paid engagement is unlikely to pay for itself, the free consultation is the place to find that out.
The Growth Partner Program
For a small number of businesses, Ali works on a performance basis: he invests time upfront and is paid on measurable results. Places are limited and terms are custom. It works best where results can be counted cleanly, such as booked jobs or new monthly customers, and where the owner is willing to share the figures needed to measure them. Mention it in your first message if you are interested.
Terms in plain language
- Prices in Canadian dollars; sales tax is 5% GST in the West and the territories, 13% to 15% HST in Ontario and Atlantic Canada, or 5% GST plus 9.975% QST in Quebec.
- Scope, price and payment terms are confirmed in writing before any paid work begins.
- No lock-in.
- Anything else, such as how expenses or third-party tools are handled, is stated in your proposal rather than assumed.
Questions about contracts, ownership and timelines are answered on the FAQ. When you're ready, the contact page explains what to send.
Frequently asked questions
Is the first conversation really free?
Yes. The initial 30-minute consultation is free and carries no obligation. You will come away knowing which service, if any, fits your situation.
Is sales tax included?
No. Prices are in Canadian dollars, and home-based owners add GST or HST for their province, or GST and QST in Quebec. Your proposal shows the total.
Why is the hourly rate a range?
The rate depends on the type of work: a straightforward review session sits at the lower end, more involved planning or hands-on setup higher. Your rate is confirmed in writing before any paid work starts.
Are there contracts or lock-in?
No lock-in. Projects have milestones agreed at the start, and retainers can end when they stop being useful. Notice periods and payment terms are stated in your proposal.
Can a small home business afford this?
Many start with one or two hourly sessions using numbers they already have, which is the cheapest way to test whether a bigger piece of work is worth it.
Sources
- BusinessConsulting.ca: Pricing (2026-10-23)