Written by Dan Sagar, FoundationsAI. Updated October 2026.
From a UK CRM agency, expect about £2,000 to £3,500 + VAT to build it, then £99 to £299 a month. A marketing agency running campaigns for you usually starts at £1,000 to £3,500 a month for one channel. Employing someone costs about £37,500 a year or more once you add National Insurance and pension. Here's what you get for each.
What the options cost
Prices checked on 25 October 2026.
| Option | Typical cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Set it up yourself | HubSpot Starter from £7 a seat a month on a limited-time offer, but automated workflows need Marketing Hub Professional at about £702 a month paid yearly (£780 paid monthly) plus a one-off onboarding fee. GoHighLevel direct from $97 a month (about £73) | The software only. You build and run it |
| CRM agency | Often £2,000 to £3,500 + VAT to build, then £99 to £299 a month | A system built for you, with varying support afterwards |
| Marketing agency, one channel | About £1,000 to £3,500 a month, before ad spend | Someone running SEO, social media or ads for you. The CRM and follow-up are usually extra |
| Full-service marketing agency | About £3,500 to £16,750 a month | Several channels run for you |
| Employ a marketing executive | About £30,000 a year salary, closer to £37,500 to £39,000 with National Insurance, pension and overheads | Someone in-house, who still needs software and training |
| FoundationsAI Managed | £2,450 + VAT build, then £249 + VAT a month, 12-month minimum | The whole system built for you, a website of up to 25 pages, one build job a month, WhatsApp included, priority support and 24/7 human support |
Agency and salary figures are typical UK ranges from 2026 pricing and salary surveys. HubSpot and HighLevel prices are from their published UK and US pricing.
What a done-for-you system should include
- Every enquiry route, from calls and website forms to email, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, feeding one inbox
- Missed call text back
- Instant replies and follow-up for new enquiries and unanswered quotes
- A pipeline with your real stages, from new enquiry to paid
- Booking and reminders, if you take appointments
- Review requests after every job
- A website built to be found on Google and in AI search
- Your existing contacts moved across
- Training for whoever will use it
- Someone to fix it when it breaks
What pushes the price up
- More than one pipeline or service
- A bigger website
- Moving contacts and history from another system
- Connecting other software, like Xero, Tradify or ServiceM8
- Having someone run your ads or social media, which is marketing agency work
- Anything custom
What a year costs with us
Managed is £249 + VAT a month (£298.80 including VAT), or £2,490 + VAT a year. In the first year, including the £2,450 + VAT build, that's £6,525.60 including VAT paying monthly, or £5,928 paying yearly. After the first 12 months you can stay on Managed, or move to Pro at £149 + VAT a month and keep everything we built. See the Managed plan.
When done-for-you isn't worth it
If you get a handful of enquiries a month, or you enjoy building systems, set it up yourself on Starter, Website or Pro, with a 5-hour setup session included. See when FoundationsAI is the wrong choice.
Questions to ask before you pay anyone
- What exactly will be built, and what won't?
- Is there a minimum contract?
- What does support cost after the build?
- Are texts, calls and emails extra?
- How many changes a month are included?
- If I leave, can I take my account with me?
Common questions
How much does it cost to have a CRM set up and run for you?
Usually £2,000 to £3,500 + VAT to build, then £99 to £299 a month from a UK agency. Our Managed plan is £2,450 + VAT to build, then £249 + VAT a month.
Is it cheaper to employ someone?
Not usually. A marketing executive costs about £30,000 a year in salary, closer to £37,500 to £39,000 once National Insurance, pension and overheads are added, and they still need the software.
Is there a minimum contract on Managed?
Yes, 12 months, because of the work that goes into the build. After that you can stay on Managed, or move to Pro and keep everything we built.
I'm already on GoHighLevel. Do I pay the build fee?
No. If you're with another provider, we move your account across with no build fee.
Why does HubSpot's price jump so much?
HubSpot's Starter plans are cheap, but automated workflows are on Professional. Marketing Hub Professional is about £702 a month paid yearly for 3 users and 2,000 contacts, plus a one-off onboarding fee, so costs can go from tens of pounds a month to hundreds very quickly.
Want it set up properly?
Book a 45-minute demo and we'll show you what a finished setup looks like and tell you honestly whether you need ours, or could do it yourself. See also FoundationsAI vs buying GoHighLevel direct.