Bilal Shafqat

How projects are priced

No packages, no tiers you have to squeeze into. Four ways of working, priced against the actual scope. This page explains what moves the number so you can judge roughly where your project sits before we speak.

Four ways of working

Project-Based

A defined deliverable with a fixed scope, timeline and price agreed before anything starts. Best when you know what you want built — a landing page, a brand identity, a CRM setup.

One clear outcome with a defined end.

Monthly Retainer

A recurring block of work each month across marketing, design or development. Best when the work is continuous rather than a single deliverable, such as running campaigns or maintaining a site.

Ongoing work with no natural finish line.

Ongoing Partner

Embedded support alongside your existing team for larger or longer-running initiatives, where you need someone who knows the context rather than briefing a new supplier each time.

Longer programmes and in-house teams with a gap.

Consulting & Advisory

A review and a recommendation, without me doing the implementation. Useful when you have a team who can execute but want an independent read on strategy, tracking or spend.

You have the people; you want the direction checked.

What moves the price

Two projects with the same title can differ several times over in cost. These are the factors that decide which one yours is.

Pushes cost up

  • Custom functionality rather than an established pattern — integrations, calculators, bespoke dashboards
  • Multiple languages, or a design that must work across very different markets
  • Compressed timelines that require reordering other work
  • Content that has to be created from scratch rather than supplied
  • Ongoing campaign management, which is time-based rather than deliverable-based

Brings cost down

  • A clear brief and a single decision-maker — most cost overruns are revision cycles, not build time
  • Existing brand assets, copy and photography ready to use
  • Building on what you already have where it is sound, rather than starting over
  • Phasing the work so the highest-value piece ships first and pays for the next
  • Realistic timelines, which avoid the premium that urgency carries

Pricing questions

Why aren't prices listed on this page?

Because a number without a scope is misleading. A landing page can be a two-day job or a three-week one depending on integrations, content and how many stakeholders review it. Rather than publish a figure that turns out to be wrong for you, this page explains what drives the cost so you can judge roughly where your project sits, and you get a real number after one short conversation.

How quickly can I get an actual figure?

Usually within a business day of describing the project. If the scope is clear, the quote is fixed. If it isn't yet, you'll get a range plus what would narrow it.

Do you charge hourly or by project?

By project wherever the scope can be defined, because that puts the risk of estimating on me rather than you. Retainers are priced monthly. Hourly is used only for advisory work where the output genuinely is time.

What currency do you work in?

AED for UAE clients. For clients outside the UAE, pricing can be quoted in your currency — mention it in your first message and it will be quoted that way from the start.

Is the first conversation free?

Yes, and there's no obligation. It often ends with a recommendation to do less than you were planning.

How Engagements Work

Flexible Engagement Models, Built To Match Your Project

Work with me however fits best — a single project, a monthly retainer, embedded support, or independent advisory.

Project-Based

from AED 31,500

A defined deliverable with a clear scope, timeline, and price.

Best for focused projects with clear goals and timelines.

Ideal when you need

  • A website, app, or ad campaign with a clear brief
  • Graphic design or social content for a launch
  • A one-off build with no ongoing commitment

How I contribute

  • Fixed-scope proposal and timeline
  • Design, development, or campaign delivery
  • Handover with documentation or training

Monthly Retainer

from AED 16,000 / month, minimum 3 months

Ongoing marketing, design, or development support on a recurring basis.

Best for businesses needing consistent, ongoing output.

Ideal when you need

  • Continuous paid ad management
  • Regular social content & posting
  • Ongoing feature development or site updates

How I contribute

  • Monthly deliverables & reporting
  • Priority turnaround on requests
  • A single point of contact across disciplines

Ongoing Partner / Dedicated Support

Embedded support alongside your team for larger or longer-running initiatives.

Best for scaling teams or fast-moving projects.

Ideal when you need

  • Multi-channel campaigns running in parallel
  • A product roadmap with continuous development
  • Teams that need extra hands without a full hire

How I contribute

  • Cross-functional marketing, design & dev support
  • Direct collaboration with your internal team
  • Flexible capacity as needs change

Consulting & Advisory

from AED 3,500 per session

High-level review and guidance focused on clarity and measurable outcomes.

Best for leadership teams needing clarity and direction.

Ideal when you need

  • A marketing, UX, or technical review
  • Expert input before a bigger investment
  • Independent insight without execution dependency

How I contribute

  • Marketing, UX & technical performance review
  • A prioritized action plan
  • Optional support to implement recommendations

Describe the project, get a real number.

Usually within a business day. No pitch deck, no discovery process you have to sit through first.

Get a quote