Question 1

How accurate is this cost comparison?

Accepted Answer

Our comparison tool is based on real market data from Finnish and US design markets, including average salaries, recruitment costs, benefits, and overhead expenses. The calculations reflect typical costs for senior-level designers (5+ years experience) in established SaaS companies. Actual costs may vary based on your specific location, company size, and requirements, but this provides a solid baseline for comparison.

Question 2

What is a fractional design partner?

Accepted Answer

A fractional design partner is an experienced designer who works with your company on a part-time or project basis, typically 2-3 days per week. Unlike freelancers who work on individual projects, fractional partners become integrated members of your team, understanding your product, users, and business goals deeply. They provide strategic design leadership without the full-time commitment or overhead costs of hiring in-house.

Question 3

Why does the comparison show different costs for US vs Finland?

Accepted Answer

Design salaries, recruitment costs, and overhead expenses vary significantly between markets. US markets typically have higher base salaries and more expensive benefits packages, while Finnish markets have different cost structures including mandatory benefits. The comparison tool accounts for these regional differences to give you accurate comparisons for your specific market.

Question 4

What costs are included in the 'in-house' calculation?

Accepted Answer

The in-house calculation includes base salary, recruitment costs (hiring fees, time investment), benefits (health insurance, retirement contributions, paid time off), overhead (office space, equipment, software licenses), and training/onboarding time. It also accounts for the ramp-up period before a new hire becomes fully productive, typically 8-12 weeks for senior designers.

Question 5

What's included in the fractional partner cost?

Accepted Answer

The fractional partner cost includes the hourly rate multiplied by the hours worked (typically 2-3 days per week). This rate already accounts for the partner's expertise, tools, and overhead. The calculation shows the total cost over 1-2 years, and includes the faster ramp-up time (typically 2 weeks) since fractional partners bring immediate expertise and proven processes.

Question 6

How do I know if fractional partnership is right for my company?

Accepted Answer

Fractional partnerships work best for companies that need senior design expertise but don't require a full-time designer yet, want faster time-to-productivity, need flexible resourcing, or want to avoid recruitment overhead. If you're experiencing rapid growth, have specific design challenges, or need strategic design leadership without committing to a full-time hire, fractional partnership could be ideal.

Question 7

What if the calculator shows fractional partnership costs more?

Accepted Answer

While fractional partnerships can sometimes show a higher direct cost, especially in markets like Finland, consider the additional benefits: faster ramp-up (2 weeks vs 8-12 weeks), immediate expertise without training, flexible scaling, proven best practices, and no recruitment overhead. The 'Consider these aswell' section highlights these value-adds that aren't reflected in pure cost calculations.

Question 8

Can I adjust the comparison inputs to match my specific situation?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can adjust the salary amount, select your market (US or Finland), and choose between 1-year and 2-year calculations. The comparison tool updates in real-time to show how these variables affect the cost comparison. Use your actual market rates and requirements for the most accurate comparison.

Question 9

What happens after the initial 1-2 year period?

Accepted Answer

Fractional partnerships are flexible and can be adjusted based on your needs. You might continue at the same level, scale up or down, transition to full-time if needed, or pause and resume as projects require. This flexibility is a key advantage over in-house hires, which require more commitment and overhead to change.

In-House vs Fractional Design Partner

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Cost Comparison FAQ