Fixed-price AI packages vs hiring an AI engineer
The hiring trap for a single slice
Hiring is right when you need ongoing ownership. It is expensive when you only need a bounded RAG pilot, a FastAPI+LLM module, or a workflow agent with allowlisted tools.
Harbor sells fixed packages with sticker price, timeline, payment terms, and a written definition of done. Deposit clears before build; change orders are explicit.
What you are buying
A shippable deliverable and a handoff runbook — not a seat on your org chart. We refuse open-ended founding-engineer retainers on purpose.
If scope is unclear, Custom Project locks a fixed quote after scoped analysis. If you already know the packages, Custom Bundle mixes any 2+ of P1–P17 at 20% off sticker by default (5% if P17 is included; rush not combinable).
Decision checklist
Choose a package when the outcome fits a published promise. Email us when timing, corpus, or API constraints need a quick fit check. Browse /packages/ for sticker prices pulled from our catalog — we do not invent SEO prices.
Harbor Artificial is not Harbor Cloud, tryharbor.ai, or Protected Harbor. We refuse HIPAA/clinical work, regulated finance systems of record, realtime voice, and open-ended founding-engineer retainers.
FAQ
Guide FAQ
When is a fixed package better than hiring?
When you need a shippable slice with clear edges — not a multi-month hire. Packages include price, timeline, and acceptance so scope does not silently expand.
Can Harbor replace a full-time AI engineer?
No. We deliver bounded projects your team can own. We refuse open-ended founding-engineer retainers.
Want to see if a package fits?
Share what you’re trying to ship, your timing, and any constraints you already know. We’ll reply from harborartificial@pm.me.