Compare // Delivery models
Commun-ET vs. an internal hire vs. traditional consulting.
Three honest paths to the same outcome, approved permits, on schedule, audit-ready. Here's where each one wins and where each one breaks.
| Attribute | Commun-ET | Internal PM hire | Traditional consulting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed to value | |||
| Time to first submittal | 5-10 days | 60-120 days (hire + ramp) | 30-60 days |
| Named senior principal day one | Yes | No | Partial |
| Tooling | |||
| Single source of truth (PermitPilot) | Yes | No | No |
| Live jurisdiction queue position | Yes | No | No |
| Coverage | |||
| 30+ jurisdiction relationships | Yes | Partial | Partial |
| Utility coordination across electric/gas/telecom/CATV | Yes | No | Partial |
| Cost | |||
| Annual fully-loaded cost (mid-portfolio) | $180-$420k retainer | $220-$340k + benefits + tools | $300-$700k T&M |
| Bench depth / vacation coverage | Yes | No | Yes |
| Accountability | |||
| Weekly executive briefs with quantified risk | Yes | Partial | Partial |
| Audit-ready close-out package | Yes | Partial | Partial |
| Risk | |||
| Continuity if a person leaves | Yes | No | Partial |
| Conflicts-of-interest with GCs / vendors | Independent | Independent | Common |
Cost ranges reflect mid-portfolio operators (10-40 active sites/year). Internal-hire costs include base, benefits, tooling, and ~30% ramp drag in year one.
When to choose each
No model is universally right.
Choose Commun-ET when…
- You need senior accountability without a 6-month hiring cycle
- Your portfolio spans multiple jurisdictions
- You want one source of truth across teams
- You're tired of paying T&M for status decks
Choose an internal hire when…
- You have steady, single-jurisdiction work indefinitely
- You can afford a 90-120 day ramp
- You want headcount on the org chart for governance reasons
Choose traditional consulting when…
- You need a one-time discrete deliverable
- Bench depth matters more than continuity
- Tooling and audit trail are not strategic
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