--- title: "Fractional CTO" canonicalUrl: https://happywebs.co.uk/services/fractional-cto/ serviceSlug: fractional-cto tier: primary --- # Fractional CTO: a technical lead who sets the direction and builds it Chris acts as a fractional CTO, or technical director, for owner-led SMEs that do not have one. He works for your business a set number of agreed days each month. He is not only there to advise. He and the team build and ship the software and AI over agreed periods. It suits fabricators, manufacturers, door installers and service firms, where technology decisions land on the owner. ## What is included - **Agreed days each month** — The days are agreed up front and booked in. It is a set arrangement, so you know when Chris is working on your business. - **A named person** — Chris is your technical lead. You deal with him directly, and he brings in the Happy Webs team when there is something to build. - **Technology direction** — A plain-English plan for the systems you run: what to keep, what to replace and what to leave alone, reviewed as the business changes. - **AI direction** — Where AI is worth using in your business, where it is not, what staff can use and who checks the output. - **Supplier and system decisions** — We read the quotes, question the proposals and help you choose software, suppliers and tools. We say so when the cheaper option will do. - **Software and AI built and shipped** — Chris and the team build the tools over agreed periods, so a decision turns into working software rather than a report. ## Indicative pricing All Happy Webs prices exclude VAT. A fractional CTO starts from £3,000 a month plus VAT for an agreed number of days. If the business needs more days in a month, it costs more. We agree the days and the price in writing before we start. A fractional CTO is Chris as your technical lead for agreed days each month, setting direction and delivering. Ongoing development is a build team working through a backlog. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is a fractional CTO? A fractional CTO is a technical director who works for your business a set number of days each month instead of full time. You may also hear it called a part time, interim or outsourced CTO. Chris sets the technology and AI direction, helps with supplier and system decisions, and builds the software and AI with the team. ### Is this just advice? No. Direction is part of it, but the point is delivery. Chris and the team build and ship the software and AI over agreed periods, so decisions turn into working tools instead of a report that sits in a drawer. ### Is it a 24/7 helpdesk? No. It is a set number of agreed days each month. If you want help between those days with something we have built, our support plans are separate. ### How much does a fractional CTO cost? From £3,000 a month plus VAT, for an agreed number of days. If the business needs more days, it costs more. We agree the days and the price in writing before we start. ### How is it different from ongoing development? A fractional CTO is Chris as your technical lead for agreed days each month, setting direction and delivering. Ongoing development, from £3,500 a month, is a build team working through a backlog. If you already know what to build, ongoing development may fit better. If you need someone to decide what to build and in what order, a fractional CTO does that. ### Who is it for? Owner-led businesses without a technical director, such as fabricators, manufacturers, door installers and service firms, where software, AI and supplier decisions land on the owner. It also suits any SME that wants senior technical direction without a full-time hire. Chris does this personally for a number of businesses.