Custom AI Development Services
When a kit or a ready-made agent will not fit, we design and build the solution around your process. We quote the scope up front and point you to a cheaper option first when one exists.
When custom is the right answer
Most needs can be met by something cheaper than a custom build, which is why we show the cheaper levels first. But some cannot. Your process may be unusual, so a standard tool would force awkward workarounds. The result may be central to how you compete, so it needs to be yours. Or you may need several parts to work together in a way no kit does. In those cases, a custom build is the sensible choice, and the aim is to make it as small and clear as possible.
What we build
Every project starts with the same question: is there a cheaper way to get this result?
- AI agents and workflow automation that finish whole tasks.
- Chatbots, copilots and custom assistants trained on your content.
- Generative AI features, search across your documents and private models.
- Data pipelines, analytics and machine learning models.
- Custom software, web and mobile apps with AI built in.
Cheapest first
We only recommend a custom build when the lower levels will not do the job.
Level 1
Launch Kit
A fixed-scope starting point you run yourself.
Level 2
Ready-made agent
A working agent for a common job, billed monthly.
Level 3
Custom build
Designed and built for your process, quoted up front.
How a custom project runs
- 1
Scope
We agree what is built, what is not and how success is measured.
- 2
Quote
You get a fixed scope and a written quote before work starts.
- 3
Build and review
We build in short stages and show you working results as we go.
- 4
Launch and measure
We hand over, then check the result against the measure we set at the start.
Custom services
AI Agent Development
Custom AI agents that finish business tasks end to end.
Learn moreChatbots and Copilots
Chatbots, copilots and custom GPTs.
Learn moreGenerative AI Development
Generative AI features and products built on proven models.
Learn moreData and Machine Learning
Data engineering, analytics and machine learning services.
Learn moreSoftware and App Development
Custom software, apps and modernisation.
Learn moreCloud and DevOps
Cloud hosting and DevOps services.
Learn moreAI Security
AI security, data compliance and access protection.
Learn moreSpecialist Services
Specialist and larger-scale services.
Learn moreHow we keep a custom build affordable
Contact us for pricing. Fixed scope and fixed price are our preference.
| Practice | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Start with the smallest useful version | You see value before committing more |
| Reuse proven parts | Less to design, test and fix |
| Build in stages you approve | Costs stay visible and controllable |
| Write down what is out of scope | Prevents drift |
| Hand over with documentation | Lowers the cost of future changes |
How we decide what to recommend
We start by asking what result you need and how you will know you have it. Then we look for the cheapest route: could a configured assistant do it? A simple automation? A kit? A ready-made agent? If any of those would do, we say so, even if it means a smaller project. If none does, we describe what a custom build would involve, what it would cost in broad terms and what the risks are. The aim is that you choose with your eyes open, and that a custom build is a considered decision, not a default.
A worked example (illustrative)
This scenario is invented. A specialist manufacturer has a quoting process that depends on a few experienced staff, who read drawings and judge what an order will take. A standard tool does not understand its products. We propose a staged build: first, an assistant that extracts specifications from drawings and drafts a quote for an estimator to check, working on a small range of products; then, if that works, more products and a link to the ordering system. The first stage is small enough to judge in weeks. If it does not work, the manufacturer has spent little.
Risks and how we handle them
Custom builds have particular risks: scope growth, accuracy problems, dependence on one supplier and costs that grow after launch. We deal with them by fixing scope, testing against real examples, documenting what we build and agreeing run costs before launch. We also tell you if we think a risk is large. If a project depends on data that does not exist, or on an accuracy that current tools cannot reach, we say so before you commit.
What a good custom project brief includes
- The task and the people who do it today.
- The systems and data involved.
- What a good result looks like, as a number if possible.
- What must not go wrong.
- The budget range and timing, if you have them.
After launch
A custom build is not finished at launch. Real use shows things no test did: odd inputs, new needs, small irritations. Plan for a period of watching and adjusting, and agree in advance who does it and how it is paid for. Measure the result against the target you set at the start. If it is falling short, say so early. And decide what happens in a year, when your needs or tools may have changed. A good build leaves you with something you can maintain and change.
Custom build questions
How much does a custom build cost?
Contact us for pricing. We quote a fixed scope in writing before work starts.
How long does it take?
We give a timeline with the quote, based on the scope. We do not promise one before we have seen it.
Who owns what you build?
Ownership and license terms are written into the proposal.
Can you work with our developers?
Yes. We can work alongside your team or hand over to it.
What if it does not work?
We test in stages, so problems show up early. If a stage fails, we say so, and agree what to do.
Keep exploring
Plan Your AI: Find Where AI Saves You Money
A short, honest look at where AI would pay off in your business, before you spend on building it.
Learn moreLaunch Kits: Start for Less Than a Custom Build
Ready-built starting points with a fixed scope that you set up and run, for a fraction of the cost of a custom build.
Learn moreGuru Platform: Pay-As-You-Go AI Agents
Ready-made AI agents for common jobs, set up for you and billed monthly, with no large build bill.
Learn moreAI Teams and Engagement Models
Ways to work with Cost Guru, from a monthly plan to a dedicated team.
Learn moreFind out what AI would cost you
Book a free call. We will map three opportunities and give you a rough idea of cost and payback.