Clear Money Guide
What this guide covers
A quick view of the questions and evidence developed below.
Comparison tables scroll horizontally on smaller screens.
Updated July 7, 2026. Quick answer (2026): A fee-for-service financial planner near me usually charges for advice as a flat project, hourly engagement, retainer, or flat annual fee instead of making the portfolio balance the only pricing driver. Compare the quote in annual dollars before an intro call.
This page is for households looking for local or virtual advice on a defined planning question, such as a rollover, retirement-income checkup, tax-aware withdrawal plan, equity-comp review, pension decision, second opinion, or written financial plan.
Fee-for-service planner cost table
| Fee-for-service model | Common cost range | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly planning | $250-$500+/hour | Estimated hours, cap, written deliverable, and follow-up rules. |
| Project planning | $2,000-$7,500+ per project | Scope, timeline, implementation help, and what becomes extra. |
| Retainer | $300-$1,500+/month | Service calendar, cancellation terms, advisor access, and investment help. |
| Flat annual planning | $4,000-$15,000+/year | Meetings, written plan, tax coordination, portfolio work, and renewal terms. |
Fee-for-service means you pay for work, not for holding assets.
That is the whole distinction, and it changes what you are buying. Ask what specifically is delivered and over what period before comparing any two prices. It is free to you, and it is not the only way to find an adviser.
Before you start, what actually happens. The form is run by Kapitalwise, our advisor-matching partner. Kapitalwise sends your details to advisers who pay for the introduction, so expect calls and texts. Clear Money Guide is paid when you submit the form, whether or not you ever hire anyone. This is free to you and there is no obligation to hire anyone.
The Kapitalwise form opens here — you stay on this page.
What happens when you press the button
It asks about nine questions — age, investable assets, location — then your name, email and phone number, and verifies the phone by text. Nothing loads and nothing reaches Kapitalwise until you press the button.
When fee-for-service can fit
- You want a written plan or second opinion without handing over portfolio management.
- You need a limited project with a cap, such as a rollover review, Roth conversion map, or retirement-income checkpoint.
- You want to compare fee-for-service advice against AUM, flat annual, retainer, or robo-supported options.
Related routes: hourly financial planner near me, financial planning hourly rate, flat-fee-only retirement planner near me, and fiduciary financial advisor near me.
Methodology
- We group fee-for-service planning by how the consumer is billed: hourly, project, retainer, or flat annual.
- We compare each model by annual dollar cost, written scope, fiduciary status, and implementation help.
- This page was materially reviewed on July 7, 2026. It is educational, not personalized financial, tax, legal, or investment advice.
Editorial standards: Editorial Policy