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Fee models

All nine fee models on one illustrative claim, across five claim sizes. The table shows where the lowest fee changes hands, because no model wins everywhere.

Assumptions used, the same for every model

Claim sizes from $100,000 to $1,000,000; the highlighted column is the $250,000 claim used across the site.
Contingent success fee: 20% of the amount claimed, no cap.
Percentage of refund fee: 20% of the amount received, with 100% of the claim received.
Fixed fee: $35,000 agreed up front, whatever the claim.
Capped fee: 20% of the claim, never more than $60,000.
Hourly fee: 120 hours at $250 an hour.
Hybrid fee: $17,500 fixed plus 10% of the claim.
Retainer plus success fee: A $17,500 retainer for the year, credited against 10% of the claim.
Deferred fee: $35,000 paid when the benefit arrives, plus 10% for the wait.
Software-assisted claim: A subscription of $6,000 a year, whatever the claim (illustrative; depends on the subscription price).
The same work and scope for every model. No model is cheaper at every claim size. The software-assisted row is not a calculation: it depends on the subscription price, shown as an illustrative figure.

Illustrative figures. They are not quotes and not a recommendation of any fee model or adviser.

Fee for each model at each claim size
Fee model	$100,000	$250,000	$500,000	$750,000	$1,000,000
Contingent success fee20% of the amount claimed, no cap	$20,000	$50,000	$100,000	$150,000	$200,000
Percentage of refund fee20% of the amount received, with 100% of the claim received	$20,000	$50,000	$100,000	$150,000	$200,000
Fixed fee$35,000 agreed up front, whatever the claim	$35,000	$35,000	$35,000	$35,000	$35,000
Capped fee20% of the claim, never more than $60,000	$20,000	$50,000	$60,000	$60,000	$60,000
Hourly fee120 hours at $250 an hour	$30,000	$30,000	$30,000	$30,000	$30,000
Hybrid fee$17,500 fixed plus 10% of the claim	$27,500	$42,500	$67,500	$92,500	$117,500
Retainer plus success feeA $17,500 retainer for the year, credited against 10% of the claim	$17,500	$25,000	$50,000	$75,000	$100,000
Deferred fee$35,000 paid when the benefit arrives, plus 10% for the wait	$38,500	$38,500	$38,500	$38,500	$38,500
Software-assisted claimA subscription of $6,000 a year, whatever the claim (illustrative; depends on the subscription price)	Depends on the subscription priceillustrative $6,000 a year	Depends on the subscription priceillustrative $6,000 a year	Depends on the subscription priceillustrative $6,000 a year	Depends on the subscription priceillustrative $6,000 a year	Depends on the subscription priceillustrative $6,000 a year

Scroll sideways to see every claim size.

Between $250,000 and $500,000 the lowest fee changes from the retainer plus success fee to the hourly fee.

Reading the table

Every model is worked out on the same claim with the same assumptions, listed above the table. The highlighted column is the claim used across this site. Read along a row to see how one model changes with the claim. Read down a column to compare models at one claim size.

The notes under the table mark where the lowest fee changes from one model to another. Several models share figures at some claim sizes: a percentage of refund fee equals a contingent fee when the claim is paid in full, and a capped fee equals an uncapped one until the cap is reached. The software-assisted row is not a calculation. It depends on the subscription price, so the table shows an illustrative subscription and nothing more. Change any assumption and the order changes. That is the point: there is no model that is cheapest everywhere.

What the table cannot tell you

The table compares cost. It says nothing about who carries the risk if the claim is reduced, who does the technical work, or whether help with a review is included. Two proposals with the same fee can be very different engagements. The questions to ask cover the rest.

It also uses one set of inputs. Your claim, your adviser's rate and the hours your claim would take will differ. Use the fee comparison calculator with your own figures, and keep the same claim value for every proposal you test.

Reading the table

What the table cannot tell you

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