How Long Does RAG Implementation Take?
MVPs typically take 8–12 weeks. Production apps with backends and AI features run 12–20 weeks. Audits and rescue work can begin within days.
Direct answer
MVPs typically take 8–12 weeks. Production apps with backends and AI features run 12–20 weeks. Audits and rescue work can begin within days.
What affects price and timeline
Scope, integrations (payments, maps, AI APIs), compliance requirements, and team involvement all shift the range. Most rag development services engagements I take fall between $25K–$150K for production-quality delivery.
When to hire a senior engineer
Hire when the cost of delay exceeds the cost of expertise — failed MVPs, rewrite cycles, and AI demos that never reach production are more expensive than scoped senior delivery.