How Much Does it Cost to Recruit With Us?
We outline what our recruitment services cost, how pricing is structured, and what’s included at each level of support
The cost of getting your recruitment wrong
The biggest cost in recruitment isn’t the fee. It’s the wrong hire.
When a new employee underperforms or leaves early, the real expense is time lost, projects delayed, and progress undone.
Research shows that 46% of new hires leave within 18 months. Most don’t fail because of skill. They fail because the role, team, and person were never properly aligned.
That’s why our pricing reflects the time, research, and structure needed to hire right the first time.
How recruitment fees work
Recruitment fees are usually calculated as a percentage of the candidate’s annual salary. The percentage depends on the level of service, the scope of the search, and the commitment required to fill the role. Most searches follow one of two models: retained or contingency. Both achieve the same goal of hiring the right person, but they do it in different ways.
Retained recruitment
This model is designed for senior, technical, or business-critical positions where the impact of the hire is high. A retained search includes full market research, detailed candidate engagement, and defined milestones. It provides dedicated time and accountability throughout the process.
Fees are typically 25–35% of annual salary, divided into stages linked to progress.
Contingency recruitment
This model suits mid-level or recurring roles where flexibility and speed are priorities. You only pay when we fill the position. It applies the same recruitment methodology but focuses on active and known candidates to deliver faster results.
Fees are typically 20–30% of annual salary, paid when the candidate starts.
Our pricing philosophy
Our pricing ensures accountability at every stage of the search. It reflects the work, research, and responsibility required to deliver the right person for the role. Before a search begins, we agree the scope, milestones, and deliverables. You know what will be completed and when.
Fees are staged at agreed points to reflect progress through the search. This keeps each project focused and ensures the role receives the attention it deserves until the right person is appointed.
Our recruitment prices
Every search we run is guided by The Predictive Index® and our Recruitment Optimisation Framework. These tools inform how each role is defined, how candidates are assessed, and how the right person is appointed. Both pricing models follow this approach but serve different needs.
Retained recruitment
A retained search is a structured partnership where we manage the entire process from start to finish. It gives you focus, accountability, and complete market access.
When you retain us, we take ownership of the search. We define the role, build a success profile, and agree milestones before any outreach begins. You receive regular updates showing where we are in the market and who we’re engaging.
Our time is fully allocated to your project, and we continue until the right person is appointed. Fees are linked to progress, paid in stages that follow the agreed milestones.
Retained searches are typically priced between 20 and 30 percent of the annual salary for the position. The total fee is divided into staged payments.
This approach suits senior, technical, or business-critical roles where accuracy and leadership alignment matter most.
Contingency recruitment
Contingency recruitment offers flexibility while maintaining the same disciplined approach. You only pay once we place a candidate, but the process is still measured, structured, and outcome driven.
We define the role, review available talent, and focus outreach on people who meet both the skills and behavioural requirements. You receive a focused shortlist, not a stream of CVs.
Throughout the process, we manage communication, interviews, and feedback to keep progress consistent and momentum high.
Contingency fees are typically 15 to 25 percent of the annual salary for the position, paid once the candidate starts. Exclusive contingency partnerships may qualify for reduced fees, depending on the number of roles and the scope of work.
This model suits recurring or mid-level roles that need filling soon, or when flexibility is important without the need for exclusivity.
We Have Worked With
What you get for your investment
Our fees cover the work that ensures every hire performs. We manage the full search process, from defining the role to supporting delivery once the person starts.
We take time to understand what success looks like in the role. That means the results it must deliver, the skills needed, and how it connects to your wider goals. The Predictive Index® provides insight that sharpens this view so decisions are based on evidence.
We identify where the right talent sits and approach people who match the role requirements and success profile. This includes those not actively applying but who have the capability and mindset to deliver.
Each candidate is evaluated against the success profile through structured interviews, reference data, and insight from The Predictive Index®. You meet only people who can perform in the role and fit the way your team works.
We coordinate the offer process, manage communication, and stay involved after the hire to make sure the person settles in and delivers results quickly.
Are you ready to recruit?
We take time to understand your business, team dynamics, and what success looks like.
We walk you through The Predictive Index ® and give you access to the behavioural assessment.
You receive a clear plan, with the right tools and support to make it work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use a reruitment agency?
- Save money: Depending on the level of position, the cost of a bad hire is 3-5x the salary. So, if you are hiring someone with a salary of 10000, the cost of making the wrong hire is 300000-500000. Working with a recruitment agency ensures that you are getting access to the right talent for your team, business, and mission.
- Save time: As the complexity of roles increase, so does the time to hire. On average, it is taking 3-6 months for companies to make a hire. Working with a recruitment agency can save you 2-6 months in recruiting time.
- Make better hiring decisions: Only 30% of candidates are actively looking for a new role. Recruitment agencies use recruitment software to manage an up-to-date list of qualified candidates, which means you get access to the other 70%. By having access to the entire talent pool, you can make better hiring decisions that increases retention.
How much do you charge?
Recruitment agencies charge a fee based on the level of superiority/complexity, which is typically reflected by the salary. Some agencies will charge a percentage of either the base salary or the overall salary package (salary + bonus and benefits). As the salary increases, so does the percentage.
We charge a fee based on the salary only and the fee is agreed before the commencement of our recruitment service. That way there is full transparency on pricing right from the start.
When should i use a retaned recruitment service?
For challenging and complex requirements to your roles such as difficult location, time-sensitive, niche skill, hard to fill, senior position, or multiple hires, a more rigorous methodology process along with more data and technology is required. For these situations we recommend you choose a Retained Recruitment Service:
- This kind of agency will usually take part in head-hunting and other, more time-consuming, yet effective activities.
- Get access to an extensive networks of highly qualified candidates, increasing your chances of finding the right person, and reducing the risk of a bad hire.
- They are also likely to invest more resources into approaching candidates directly (headhunting), rather than relying on responses to job ads
What’s the main difference between retained and contingency recruitment?
Retained means you engage us exclusively and pay a small fee upfront. This gives us the focus and resources to run a full market search and deliver a shortlist. Contingency is more flexible, you only pay if we successfully fill the role, but the process is typically less in-depth.
Why does retained recruitment cost more?
Retained search involves a deeper level of research, talent mapping, and candidate engagement. It is structured to solve difficult hiring problems, reduce risk, and improve success rates. More time and resources go into the process to deliver a stronger result.
Do you offer guarantees?
Yes. For retained searches, we offer a replacement guarantee if the hire leaves within an agreed period. We’ll discuss the terms clearly before the search begins.
What if the retained role is not filled?
Our process is designed to minimise that risk. If a placement is not made, you still receive detailed market feedback, a documented search strategy, and insight to improve future hiring. We also stay engaged to adjust the brief or extend the search if needed.
Do you recruit across the UK and Europe?
Yes. We support clients hiring across the UK and internationally, including remote and location-sensitive roles.
Are there reduced rates for exclusive work?
Yes. If you commit to working with us exclusively, we can offer a more competitive rate. This gives you a better outcome and helps us invest more in the process.
What should I consider before contacting a recruitmenta agency?
There are several reasons why a business might consider contacting a recruitment agency:
- High Volume Hiring: If your business is experiencing rapid growth or is in need of filling multiple roles quickly, working with a recruitment agency can help you find a high volume of qualified candidates in a short period of time.
- Difficulty in Finding Qualified Candidates: If your business is struggling to find qualified candidates through traditional recruitment methods, working with a recruitment agency can give you access to a wider pool of candidates and the expertise of recruitment professionals.
- Specific Skills and Experience: If your business requires employees with specific skills and experience, such as those in the technology or healthcare industries, working with a recruitment agency can help you find candidates with the right qualifications and experience.
- Time Constraints: If your business is short on time to devote to the recruitment process, working with a recruitment agency can save you time by handling the sourcing, screening, and interviewing process.
- Lack of Recruiting Resources: If your business does not have a dedicated human resources department or the resources to manage the recruitment process effectively, working with a recruitment agency can provide you with the resources and expertise you need to find the right candidates.
- Remote Hiring: If your business is looking to hire remote employees, working with a recruitment agency can help you find qualified candidates from different locations and provide support with managing remote employees.
Hear from those making better hiring decisions
Working together
Every search begins with a conversation. We take time to understand the role, what it needs to deliver, and how it connects to your wider goals.
Once we have that picture, we outline the options available and recommend the level of support that best fits your situation. Together we agree the structure, milestones, and deliverables before any work begins.
You know who is responsible for each stage, what will be completed, and when. From that point, the search runs to plan with progress measured, visible, and accountable from start to finish.