What does DIY setup actually cost you?

These are based on real data from dozens of DIY installs we've seen. Non-technical users typically take 2-3x longer than they expect. Developer estimates assume familiarity with Node.js, Docker, and API configuration — and even developers report spending unexpected hours on edge cases and config debugging.

When configuring your AI assistant, you'll make many test calls to providers like Anthropic or OpenAI — testing prompts, debugging tool calls, tuning personality, and fixing context issues. These calls cost real money. Most people burn $50-250 in tokens before their setup is stable, depending on how many iterations they need.

We do this every day. What takes a first-timer 15+ hours of trial and error, we complete in a single screen-share session. We know the exact config sequence, common pitfalls, and optimal settings. You also avoid burning tokens on failed attempts because we guide you through tested configurations.

Developers are faster, but still typically underestimate by 40-60%. The challenge isn't running commands — it's knowing which config options matter, debugging subtle integration issues, and getting the AI personality/memory right. The "last 20%" of setup always takes longer than expected.

Absolutely. Many clients come to us after spending a weekend frustrated with DIY setup. We can pick up where you left off. Though honestly, the tokens you've already burned plus our fee often exceeds what you'd have paid to start with us.

It's the value of what you could be doing instead. If you earn $75/hour and spend 20 hours on DIY setup, that's $1,500 worth of your time — time you could spend on clients, projects, or literally anything else. We default to $75/hr but you can adjust it to your actual rate.