An inexpensive call can belong to an expensive unfinished run. Budget the complete job your business needs.
Define an accepted job
Describe the result and required boundaries. Include tool use, document preparation and repeated attempts. Verify current provider prices when quoting.
Measure representative runs
Keep ordinary and difficult jobs separate. Record human correction and unresolved work. Trace consumption without unnecessary sensitive content.
Set operational limits
Specify duration and budget caps with a usable interrupted state. Ask the partner to show their enforcement. Compare against the current workflow under similar conditions. A cost-per-call estimate leaves out much of the work required to reach a result your team can actually accept.
Related reading : Build or buy an AI agent: compare product fit and operating ownership. Discuss your project scope with Sky Vaults.