Requesting an AI Quote: What to Look For? (2026 Checklist)
The 2026 checklist: what to look for in an AI quote, which questions to ask, and how to tell a serious agency from a sales pitch.
Written by Christian and Michel.
Requesting an AI quote is easy; comparing two of them fairly is not. Vendors slice scope, assumptions and aftercare very differently. This is the checklist that makes them comparable.
Why AI quotes are so hard to compare
A quote for a new company car is easy to compare. A quote for an AI project is not.
The five components of a good AI quote
1. A clear problem description. A good quote starts not with what the agency will do, but with a description of your problem.
2. A concrete solution specification. What exactly is being built? Vague terms like "AI solution" without further specification are a red flag.
3. Measurable success criteria. Concrete KPIs: hours saved, errors eliminated, expected ROI.
4. A realistic timeline. When is what delivered? What are the milestones?
5. Ownership and exit strategy. Who owns the code, data, and models? Vendor lock-in is a real risk.
The checklist
- [ ] Problem description is specific and recognized by us
- [ ] Solution is concretely specified with functionalities
- [ ] Success criteria are measurable and realistic
- [ ] Timeline is realistic with clear milestones
- [ ] Ownership of code and data is established
- [ ] Exit strategy is described
- [ ] Three comparable references are available
- [ ] Post-delivery maintenance is arranged
Further Reading
Want to learn more about related topics? Also check out:
At NordX
Want a quote that meets all these criteria? Book a free 20-minute call.
Sources
ec.eu/en/policies/regulatory-framework-ai)
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