Simple, Transparent Pricing
One fee: 15% of first-year base salary, invoiced only when your hire starts. No retainers. No upfront costs. No surprises.
What a hire actually costs
| Scenario | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Example base salary | £60,000 | UK mid-senior engineer |
| ExpertsCircle success fee (15%) | £9,000 | Invoiced on your hire's first day · 30-day terms |
| Typical agency fee (20–25%) | £12,000–£15,000 | Standard UK contingency rates |
| You keep | £3,000–£6,000 | Per hire, versus a traditional agency |
Fee applies to first-year base salary only — bonus, equity, and benefits are excluded. Permanent hires.
Where your fee goes
75% of your fee pays the domain expert who screened and endorsed your hire — the person who staked their reputation on the recommendation. 25% runs the platform. There’s no middleman layer absorbing your money, which is why senior people do the screening and agencies can’t match the price.
Savings Calculator
Estimate how much you can save using ExpertsCircle.
Savings vs Agency Fees
£0
Traditional agencies charge ~20–25% of salary. ExpertsCircle charges a flat 15%, invoiced only when your hire starts — saving you thousands per hire.
Potential Turnover Savings
£0
Bad hires can cost 6 to 9 months of salary (CIPD). Our expert-vetted matches reduce that risk significantly.
Pricing questions, answered
What is the 15% calculated on?
First-year base salary only. Bonus, equity, and benefits are excluded. A £60,000 base salary means a £9,000 fee — whatever else the package includes.
When do I actually pay?
We raise the invoice on your hire's first day of employment, on standard 30-day terms. Nothing is billed before then — posting the role, expert matching, and receiving the shortlist are all free.
What if I hire two people from one shortlist?
Each hire is a separate 15% fee. You pay per person who actually joins your team — never for the search, and never for candidates you pass on.
Does this cover contract roles?
Permanent hires only today. If you have a contract or fractional need, contact us and we will tell you honestly whether we can help yet.
How does 15% compare to a recruitment agency?
Most UK contingency recruitment agencies charge 20–25% of salary — £12,000–£15,000 on a £60,000 hire — and the person screening CVs is typically a generalist recruiter. Here the fee is 15%, and the screening is done by a named domain expert who has done the job themselves.
Is posting a role really free?
Yes. Post the role, get matched with verified domain experts, and receive expert-endorsed candidates at no cost. The only invoice you will ever see follows a successful hire.
More questions about how the platform works? See all employer FAQs →
Our Commitments
Two promises we can state plainly
No Upfront Costs
You only pay when you make a successful hire. No retainers, no hidden fees.
Transparent Fee Structure
Our pricing is straightforward with no surprises. What you see is what you pay.
See the shortlist before you spend a penny
Post your role free. The only invoice you'll ever receive follows a successful hire.
An industry expert? See what you earn →