i’m sure you’ll get some responses such as “how long is a piece of string?” but let me share an example just from the research billing portion - mostly a consumer research perspective:
a well known, major U.S. city based, qualitative/design focused/consumer research consultancy might charge blue chip clients about US$100,000 for the following:
–basic secondary research, call it ‘market orientation’ (and the presentation/documentation of this info)
–series of focus groups with consumers, perhaps 4-6 groups spread over a couple days in the same location (and the presentation/ " " ) (please, no need for condescending comments about focus groups, that’s another thread!)
–series of observational research/faux ethnography with about 8-12 users ( " " " )
–mid-point check-up/meeting/sharing/presentation/manage expectations
–consumer segmentation model, mostly on the lifestyle side - not a lot of population size, expenditure, potential profitability info with this small sample, some generalizations based on secondary info perhaps, but nothing an MBA or left-brain marketer would take seriously ( " " " )
–recommendations/strategy based on the findings above ( " " " likely in a workshop format at client HQ)
–follow-up including q & a and review of later client decisions to check if they are in line with recommendations
–this project would take about 2-3 months and have 1.5 - 3 people dedicated to the effort at various times. these consultants would have prior experience within the same industry, likely masters degrees, good presenters, would outsource focus group logistics. keep in mind a portion of the 2-3 months is setting up consumer research - it’s not like consultants are on your project solid during this whole time.
–in my opinion, this does not cover the competition very thoroughly, nor would it address advertising. it would primarily cover consumer research, segmentation, and recommendations on what to offer those segments.
–word of caution since you mentioned “overseas investor” - depending on where overseas, i’ve found some cultures do not see value in the “intangible” of research. be prepared for questions, push-back, outright scoffs, and abandoning this portion of your project/billing if necessary/possible
others can add (a lot), subtract (a lot), disagree, but this is the ‘ballpark’ i’m familiar with on the research side. good luck.