For HR consultants
'Just a quick HR question' is how a retainer turns into a full-time job.
Independent HR consultants work two ways. Projects: an employee handbook, a policy review, a pay-banding exercise, a restructure plan. And retained support: a small business with no HR function that wants someone to call. The projects are usually scoped well. The retainer isn't — a founder calls about a difficult employee on a Friday evening, then a grievance, then a redundancy, all inside a monthly fee priced for a few hours.
ApeiroCraft sends both as proposals: projects with deliverables and review rounds; retainers with included hours, response times, and what's outside — such as formal investigations or tribunal support. You see when it's opened and reopened, the client signs in the browser, and projects and monthly fees are invoiced from the accepted proposal.
Where HR consulting gets stretched.
The always-on retainer
Without included hours and response times, retained HR means being on call for every staff issue. The fee stays the same while the workload doubles.
Complex cases inside a simple fee
A formal grievance or disciplinary investigation is far more work than an advice call. If the proposal didn't separate them, it's assumed to be part of the retainer.
Advice versus legal advice
Clients may treat HR guidance as legal advice. The proposal is where you say where your role ends and when they need an employment lawyer.
From discovery call to retained support.
Project or retainer, clearly
Send projects with deliverables and review rounds, and retainers with included hours, response times and exclusions — as separate proposals.
See when the founder reads it
Opens and re-opens are recorded on the link. A proposal reopened just after a staff issue flares up is the time to follow up.
Scope signed
The signature records name, email, IP address and a UTC timestamp and can't be altered — included hours and exclusions are on record.
Project and monthly invoices
Convert accepted project proposals into invoices in one click. Retainer invoices go out monthly against the client record.
What an HR consulting proposal has to include.
HR work involves people's jobs. A clear proposal protects the client, their staff and you.
Project deliverables
If it's left vague
A handbook project grows to include every policy rewrite.
With ApeiroCraft
List each policy or document delivered and review rounds.
Retainer hours and response
If it's left vague
Calls at all hours, for the same fee.
With ApeiroCraft
State included hours per month, response times, and the rate for extra time.
Excluded work
If it's left vague
Investigations and restructures are expected inside the retainer.
With ApeiroCraft
Name work quoted separately — investigations, restructures, recruitment.
Role boundaries
If it's left vague
Your guidance is treated as legal advice.
With ApeiroCraft
Say you provide HR guidance, not legal advice, and when the client should involve a lawyer.
Data and confidentiality
If it's left vague
Employee data is shared without agreed handling.
With ApeiroCraft
Describe how you handle employee information and where it's stored.
- Project and retainer invoices on one client record.
- Private notes per client — your notes, not a shared portal.
- Kanban tasks for policy reviews and deadlines.
Common questions.
How do HR consultants usually price?
Common models are fixed project fees (handbooks, policy reviews, pay structures), monthly retainers with a set number of included hours, day rates for interim or on-site work, and per-case fees for investigations. ApeiroCraft holds the model; it doesn't suggest rates.
What does a retainer proposal look like?
Up to a stated number of hours a month of advice by phone and email; responses within one working day; template letters and policy updates included; formal investigations, restructures and recruitment quoted separately; a note that you provide HR guidance, not legal advice; data handled under a named approach; a minimum term and notice. The founder reopens it twice, signs, and you invoice the first month.
When is ApeiroCraft not the right fit for HR consulting?
It isn't HR software: there's no employee database, payroll, leave tracking or document portal for staff, and it doesn't track time against the retainer. You'd log hours elsewhere. ApeiroCraft fits the proposals, signatures, invoices and client notes.
Can I store employee documents in ApeiroCraft?
It's not designed for that. Keep personnel records in the client's own HR system or a secure document store. ApeiroCraft notes are best kept to your engagement notes.
Which template should I start from?
The consulting template — a sharpened problem statement, phased approach with a stop option, and fees anchored to the cost of the problem — works well for HR projects.
Give the retainer an edge.
Start from the consulting template and write your included hours and exclusions.
Start freeStill deciding? Talk to the founder
Keep reading
Free template
Consulting proposal template
A sharpened problem statement, phased approach with a stop option, and value-anchored fees.
Solution
ApeiroCraft for consultants
Scope, phases, and value-anchored fees in a document that gets signed, not edited.
Solution
Proposal tracking, explained
Timestamped opens on the proposal itself — not an email pixel, not a guess.