How Much Does it Cost to Recruit With Us?
Understand how our retained and contingency recruitment services work, what they cost, and when to use each one. Choose the right level of support for your next hire.
What’s the Cost of a Bad Hire?
A bad hire can cost your business more than just salary.
When you factor in lost time, disruption to the team, missed targets, and the cost of starting again, the average mis-hire costs over £18,000.
But even when you make the right hire, the wrong recruitment approach can still waste time and money.
Reviewing CVs that don’t meet the brief
Interviewing candidates who should never have been shortlisted
Paying fees without structure or accountability
We built our services to avoid these common traps.
Whether you need retained support or contingency hiring, we focus on quality, fit, and fairness.
Why Is Recruitment so Challenging
Most hiring problems aren’t caused by a lack of effort.
They come from unclear roles, inconsistent processes, and too much pressure to get it right without the right support.
You write a job ad and hope it attracts the right people.
You rely on interviews to reveal something they often can’t.
You make a decision based on gut feel, availability, or urgency.
And even when someone accepts the offer, there’s still no guarantee they’ll perform once they start.
It’s not that you’re doing it wrong.
It’s that the process you’re using makes it hard to get it right.
How Much is Recruitment Costing Your Business?
Only 60% of jobs are currently being filled as companies are experiencing a lack of quality applications.
74% of companies under perform when it comes to recruitment.
Companies are taking on average 6 months to hire someone.
50% of job-seekers who accept a counter-offer from their current employer will be back on the market within 2 months.
Companies are battling their attrition rates as 60% of those leaving do so for a better quality life.
A third of the workforce will quit their job this year, impacting your bottom line.
Which Recruitment Service Is Right for You?
Whether you’re hiring for a hard-to-fill leadership role or need extra support for everyday recruitment, we offer two service models: retained and contingency.
Each one suits a different kind of challenge. Here’s how they work:
Retained Recruitment
A structured, exclusive recruitment partnership where we work on your role from start to finish with a shared commitment to results.
When to use it:
Senior, technical, or niche roles
Urgent or business-critical hires
Roles that have remained open for too long
When you need full market coverage and strategic input
How it works:
You engage us exclusively
We commit more resources including time, data, and research to the search
You pay a small retainer to secure priority and focus
We deliver a shortlist, not just a stream of CVs
Milestone-based delivery keeps the process structured and accountable
What it costs:
Typically 30–45% of annual salary
Fees are split into stages linked to progress
Contingency Recruitment
A flexible, success-based service where you only pay once we place a candidate in your business.
When to use it:
Common or mid-level roles
You need flexibility or are already using multiple agencies
Roles where speed is more important than structure
How it works:
You only pay if we successfully place someone
No exclusivity or upfront cost
Ideal for fast-moving hiring or low-commitment needs
What it costs:
Typically 20–30% of annual salary
Fee is paid on the candidate’s start date
Exclusive partnerships may qualify for reduced fees
What’s Included in a Retained Recruitment Service
Retained search is more than just CVs. It’s a structured, end-to-end process focused on precision, accountability, and outcomes.
You get:
A full market search including passive candidates
Detailed briefing and alignment on role, team, and business context
Talent mapping and outreach strategy
A shortlist of fully screened, qualified candidates
Interview coordination and candidate preparation
Ongoing communication and reporting at each milestone
Support through offer, negotiation, and start
6-month check-in and outcome review
What’s Included in a Contingency Recruitment Service
Contingency recruitment gives you speed and flexibility, while still focusing on fit and quality.
You get:
A clear and agreed brief
Search and outreach to active candidates in our network
Basic candidate screening and shortlist delivery
Interview coordination and scheduling
Feedback handling and offer communication
Fee only paid when a hire is made
Here’s How We Help You
We take time to understand the role, the problems it's meant to solve, and what success looks like in your business.
If we’re aligned, we’ll send a short agreement that outlines how we’ll work together, what’s included, and what happens next.
We send you a Talent Agreement, which outlines how we will work together.
Our blend of industry expertise, predictive insights, and customised approaches ensures you're next hire is the right hire for your team, company, and mission.
Only 20% of candidates are active. We give you access to the other 80%.
Don’t just scratch the surface. Our deep market insights connect you to the talent pool's unseen depths, uncovering candidates tailored for your mission.
"Harness the power of data in your hiring. We provide actionable insights, enabling you to make informed, confident decisions about who joins your team
Our support doesn't end at the hiring decision. We continue to support you through onboarding and beyond.
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.
Take the Next Step
If you’re hiring now or planning ahead, we can help you choose the right level of support for your next hire.
Book a short call to explore your options and get clear on whether a retained or contingency approach is best for your role.
We Have Worked With
