Engagement Phases · Timeline · Investment
Every Arkham engagement runs the same shape: audit → build → deploy & improve. Below: what each phase looks like, how long it takes, what it costs, and what you get.
The Three Phases
60–90 min scoping call. We map every manual workflow you have, score each by AI/automation ROI, deliver a written plan + tailored build proposal.
Week 1–2 · FreeSenior architect assigned, by name. We build, test, integrate 1–3 automations. Weekly working sessions. You see prototypes within 7–14 days.
Week 3–6Live. Monitor 30 days. Monthly check-ins to tune and add new automations. Cancel any time with 30 days notice.
Week 7+Free Audit vs Full Audit
Almost everyone starts with the free 30-min audit — it's how we both find out if there's a fit. The full audit is a separate, paid engagement when you want a deep strategic plan before any building starts. Here's the difference so nothing's ambiguous.
A short discovery call where we identify 1–4 automation opportunities in your business and recommend where to start. Sent to you as a written summary within 48 hours.
A proper deep-dive across your business when you want the complete plan before any building begins. We map every team and process, score every automation candidate, build a sequenced roadmap with dependencies, and deliver a complete strategic plan you own — even if you choose to build it with another partner.
Most clients start with the free audit. We only recommend the full audit when scope is genuinely large and de-risking the plan upfront matters. Start with the free one →
Engagement Shape
| Tier | Typical scope | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | One focused automation (voice agent / chatbot / quoting) | Single high-leverage workflow, proof-of-value |
| Recommended | Multi-automation core build (quoting + scheduling + comms) | Operational backbone — most clients land here |
| Comprehensive | Strategic AI infrastructure across the business | Multi-team rollouts with bespoke architecture |
Every engagement is scoped against your actual workflows. Book the free audit for a tailored proposal →
What's Included Monthly
Fixes within 4 business hours for any failure.
Improve accuracy. Reduce escalations. Learn from every edge case.
New opportunities. Updated roadmap. Where to invest next.
Compounds over time. By month 12 you have 12 more systems than you started with.
Slack channel, your architect by name, no ticket queues.
What We Don't Charge
We sell outcomes, not hours.
The 30-min free audit is always free. Full deep-dive audits are a separate paid engagement.
If it breaks, it's on us.
You pay your vendors directly. We don't take a cut.
Pay-Back Commitment
Every engagement is structured to pay back in 6 months — measured in hours saved, costs avoided, or revenue gained. If yours doesn't, we keep working at no additional setup fee until it does. Written into every proposal.
Tailored Quote
30 minutes, no pitch, written plan. Free.