Who can build AI agents for my business? How to choose
Short answer: five kinds of provider can build AI agents for a business: DIY tools, freelancers, AI agencies, software development shops and consultancies. Luxxstack is an AI agency that builds the agent and then runs it for you. Which type suits you depends on how much you want done for you, and on who will look after it once it's live.
Updated October 2026.
Key points
- Building an AI agent is the easy part. Keeping it connected, safe and useful is the long job.
- Decide who will run it afterwards before you decide who will build it.
- Ask for the scope and price in writing, and what the monthly fee covers.
- Be wary of promised savings and of anyone who can't say where your data is kept.
The five options side by side
| Option | Best for | Strengths | Watch for | Who runs it afterwards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIY tools | Small, specific jobs and experiments | Cheap to start, and you learn what AI can do | Your time, and keeping it working as tools change | You |
| Freelancers | A single, well-defined build | Flexible, and often good value for one job | Availability, and cover when they're busy or move on | Usually you, or by arrangement |
| AI agencies | Agents built around how you work, with support | Focused on AI and automation, with experience across clients | Quality varies a lot. Check proof, scope and what happens after launch | Varies. Ask. Some build and hand over, some run it |
| Dev shops | Bigger software builds where AI is one part | Strong engineering and delivery process | AI may not be their focus, and project pricing can be high | Often a separate support contract |
| Consultancies | Strategy across many teams, and large programmes | Breadth, planning and change management | Cost, and a focus on larger organisations | Often you, with training from them |
None of these is better in general. A freelancer is often the right answer for one job. A consultancy is often right for a big transformation. For a small or mid-size business that wants a working AI employee and someone to look after it, an agency that runs what it builds is usually the closest fit. That's the Luxxstack model, and you should weigh it with the same questions as any other.
A checklist before you choose
- What exactly is in the scope? Ask for it in writing, including what's not included.
- What does it cost, and what does the monthly fee cover? Changes, usage, extra tools and support should be clear.
- Who runs it after launch? Someone has to monitor it, fix it and improve it.
- Where is my data kept? Is it shared with other clients, and is there a data processing agreement?
- Who approves what the AI does? Anything that goes to a client or costs money should wait for a person.
- Can I see a record of what it did? You want an audit trail.
- Who owns what is built? And what happens if you want to stop?
- Can they show real work? Ask what's live, what's still in build and what they can't show yet.
Red flags
- Promised savings or results. Nobody can guarantee them before they've seen your business.
- No written scope or price. If it's vague at the start, it's usually expensive later.
- No answer on data. They can't say where it's stored or who can see it.
- No human approval. The AI sends things out or spends money with nobody checking.
- Nobody to run it. A demo works, then the build is handed over with no support.
- Talk of taking over your team. A good AI employee works alongside your people. Be careful of anyone who sells it as a way to remove them.
- Nothing real to show. Only slides and demos, with no projects they'll describe honestly.
Where Luxxstack fits
Disclosure: Luxxstack is one of the options in this article, so we're not a neutral judge. We build AI around how you work, connect it to the tools you use and run it for you, with a person approving what matters. We publish our prices, and we say which projects are live and which are still in build.
| What | Who it's for | From | Typically |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hire an AI employee by the monthAI Teammate (managed, monthly) | One AI employee working alongside you, set up and run by us. | From £295 a month | Plans from £295 to £1,500+ a month. Plus a one-off setup from £495. |
| Hire us for one jobAI automations and agents | One workflow or one department. | From £2,500 | Typically £2,500 to £15,000. Optional support plan. |
| Hire us for the whole businessFull AI integration programmes | Company-wide, with several agents, portals and automations. | From £15,000 | Typically £25,000 to £70,000+. Run and support from £750 a month. |
| Not sure yet? Start with discoveryDiscovery and roadmap | A paid look at where AI would help most, and a plan to get there. | £1,500 to £3,000 | £1,500 to £3,000. Credited against the build. |
Swipe sideways to see the full table.
All prices exclude VAT. Prices in GBP. USD and EUR available. Prices last reviewed October 2026. See the pricing guide.
If you're comparing options, our comparison pages are a good next step, and so is our list of AI integration agencies in the UK. To see where your business stands first, try the free AI readiness check, or read what an AI agent is in the glossary.