This routes your session to the most relevant metrics and questions.
New Contract or Client
Project, retainer, or service engagement
Hiring Decision
Employee, contractor, or part-time
New Revenue Stream
Product, course, or additional service
Capital or Asset Purchase
Equipment, software, or workspace
Routing Tip
Contract evaluations focus on effective rate vs. overhead. We'll walk you through cost-to-deliver and margin impact.
Section 1 · Revenue Context
What's the approximate value of this contract?
Use a rough range — exact numbers aren't required here.
$45K
total value
Drag to adjust
Under $10K$200K+
Duration of this engagement?
1–3 months
3–6 months
6–12 months
Tip
For a 3–6 month contract at $45K, your effective monthly rate is approx. $7.5K–$9K. We'll compare this to your current average next.
Section 2 · Cost Structure
What's your approximate monthly overhead?
Include fixed costs: software, workspace, subscriptions, professional services.
$3,200
/ month
Under $1K$20K+
How does this contract affect your current clients?
No impact — additive
I'd need to pause or scale back others
Full capacity — replaces current work
Opportunity Cost Flag
Pausing existing clients creates an opportunity cost. We'll factor the revenue displacement into your effective margin estimate.
Section 3 · Labor Input
Estimated hours per week for this contract?
This determines your effective hourly rate — a key signal for whether the deal is worth taking.
22
hrs / week
5 hrs50+ hrs
Eff. Hourly Rate
$96
Based on $45K / 22hrs
Industry Avg
$85–$120
Creative services range
Live Insight
At 22hrs/week your rate is $96/hr — within market range. If scope creeps to 30hrs, your rate drops to $70/hr, below your current average.
Section 4 · Capital Allocation
What's your intent for the proceeds from this contract?
Select all that apply — this shapes your net margin and cash reserve calculation.
Operating expenses & overhead
Reinvest in tools or growth
Cash reserve / save
Pay down debt or obligation
Allocation Tip
Reinvesting 15–20% during early growth typically sustains margin. Allocating beyond 30% without a clear ROI can compress near-term profitability.
Section 5 · Margin Preview
Here's your preliminary margin picture
Based on your inputs — review before we generate the full output.
Est. Gross Margin
34%
Contract revenue
Net After Overhead
21%
Below 25% threshold
Cost to Deliver
$29,700
Time + overhead estimate
Effective Rate
$96/hr
Within market range
Rate Risk: Your effective rate drops below your current average if scope expands past 28hrs/week. Consider a scope clause before signing.
Negotiation Insight
To hit a 30% net margin on this contract, the fee would need to be approx. $52K. You have room to negotiate before signing.
Section 1 — Venture Type: The venture selector is the primary branching gate. Choosing "Hiring Decision" would route to labor-ratio questions; "Capital Purchase" would surface asset amortization logic. The tip below the selection appears immediately on click, keeping the experience dynamic and consultative rather than form-like.