Starting at $150 / hour Transparent pricing

Answers to the software decisions that matter most

No sales pitch. No junior staff learning on your dime. Just direct access to two decades of hands-on software experience, focused on turning your problems into solutions.

Schedule your free 30-minute consultation Pricing

Solving your business problem

Every engagement is custom-built around your business and a specific outcome, not a generic package.

Technical Strategy & Roadmapping: A prioritized plan for your technology over the next 6 to 18 months. Tied to your business goals, not trends.
Architecture Review & Audit: A deep look at your systems and codebase. You get a written report on risks and what to fix first.
Build vs. Buy Analysis: An honest recommendation on custom, off-the-shelf, or hybrid. Matched to your situation and budget.
Vendor & Team Evaluation: A second set of experienced eyes on proposals or a team’s output. Before you commit real money.
Advisory: Ongoing technical help and consulting.
Due Diligence Support: Technical assessments for investors, acquirers, or partners. Know what’s under the hood before closing.

If you need full build-out work, see my Website, App Development, and Business Automation services.

How the process works

A simple, four-step process from first call to final handoff.

Step 1

Free consultation

We will start with a free 30-minute to an hour free consultation where you walk me through what’s going on, what decisions are on the table, and what’s at stake for your business. By the end, we’ll both know whether this is a good fit and what a next step could look like.

Step 2

Formal offer

I will send you a formal offer outlining exactly what I’ll deliver, the timeline, and the investment involved. You’ll know precisely what you’re getting before you commit to anything.

Step 3

Engagement

Depending on the engagement, that might mean reviewing code, interviewing your team, or researching your market and competitors. I keep you updated regularly rather than disappearing until the deadline, and I stay accessible for questions throughout.

Step 4

Handoff

At the end of the engagement, you will have something concrete in your hands; whether that’s a written report, a roadmap, or recommendations you can act on immediately.

Get started today

Why work with a solo consultant

Two decades of hands-on experience, working directly with you from day one.

Learn more

Direct collaboration: No account managers or middlemen stand between you and the work. I tailor each solution to your unique business objectives, not a cookie-cutter solution.
Trusted expertise: I have the industry experience to turn your problems into solutions. No BS. No faking it. Just honest feedback and collaboration.
Faster turnaround: No layers of internal handoffs slow things down. Decisions get made, and work gets done in the same conversation.
Lower overhead: A leaner cost structure means more of your budget goes to the work itself. That shows up directly in your rate.

What our clients say

Our clients love working with us! We’ve earned praise for our reliability, creativity, and dedication from startups to established businesses. Read their stories to discover why we’re a trusted partner.

“I had been looking for a developer to work with for a couple year before I found James Fawks. It is very refreshing for me to work with someone that does what they say they will while also bringing additional value with insights into the industry of software development and also business development in general. He has taken the time to get to know both my business and my needs as a business owner, and addressed them to beyond expectations. Highly recommended.”

Jim Lowry

The Boaters App

“Great experience working with James. Excellent communication skills and understanding of his domain. He quickly diagnosed and resolved an issue that two previous Upwork contractors were unable to resolve.”

Upwork Client

Upwork

“James was professional, remained in communication, was able to meet with clients, and demonstrated flexibility in his solutions. My project benefited greatly from his participation, and I feel lucky that I found such a knowledgeable resource! Would hire again.”

Upwork Client

Upwork

Transparent pricing

The scope and complexity of what you need directly affect the consultation price. Schedule a free consultation today to get a price and time estimate and start turning problems into solutions.

Consulting Hours

Pay as you go

$150 / hour

Schedule your free consultation

Includes:

Free 30-minute consultation
Sold in blocks of 5 hours minimum
No dedicated hours

On-time Sprint

For one-time projects

Starting at

$2,800

Schedule your free consultation

Includes:

Free 30-minute consultation
Fixed-scope, deep-dive review of your current system or codebase
Roadmap and architecture recommendations
Build vs. buy analysis

Monthly Retainer

For long-term engagements

Starting at

$3,500 / month

Schedule your free consultation

Includes:

Free 30-minute consultation
Ongoing advisory access
Dedicated 12 hours per month
Priority scheduling
Unlimited email or Slack access during business hours

Larger engagements and longer retainers are quoted individually. Same for due diligence and investor-facing reports.

Schedule your free consultation

Tell me a bit about where you’re at and what’s on your mind. I read every message myself and typically respond within one business day.

Service Areas: Serving US Customers
Email: hello@fawkssoftwareconsulting.com
Phone: (516) 962-3391

Frequently asked questions

Do you only work with startups?: No. I work with founders, small businesses, and established companies alike. What matters is having a real technical decision to make.
Can consulting turn into a development project?: Often, yes. Many clients start with an audit or sprint, then move into build work through my other services. There’s no obligation either way.
What if I just need a quick answer, not a full engagement?: That’s what Consulting Hours are for. Many clients book a single block for a second opinion.
How is a retainer different from hourly work?: A retainer guarantees a set amount of my time each month at a lower rate. It also gets you priority access. Hourly work suits occasional, one-off needs.
Will you sign an NDA?: Yes, but with exceptions. I have a Fiduciary Responsibility to the business, and I'm not willing to get into a no-win legal situation.
You can read more on why I typically don't sign NDAs and the criteria I need to sign here.
Do unused dedicated hours roll over to the next month?: No. Not only can it be difficult to track for all my clients, but it can also create a situation where I cannot physically meet the demands or expectations; I don’t like to make promises I cannot keep.
However, if you don’t use all the hours in a previous month and need me to go over an hour the next, I’ll usually credit that hour.

Still have questions?

Let's talk it through. Schedule a free discovery call and get straight answers on your next move.

Schedule today!