# AI Agency vs In-House vs Consultancy (2026) | Kemeny Studio

> When to hire an in-house AI team, a consultancy, or a software factory. Time to first production system, ownership, cost shape, and failure mode for each route. Kemeny Studio is the factory column and says when not to hire us. Field proof from LatAm production systems on /cases. Not a cost-hub spoke and not an offer.

Three-way buyer comparison. Hire in-house when AI is the product and you can wait two quarters to staff two senior people. Use a consultancy when the board needs political cover more than a shipped system. Use a specialist factory when you need one owned workflow in production in weeks, on your data. Market ranges only (custom agent typically $20k–$80k USD build plus $2k–$8k/mo operate). No invented quotes or third-party ROI. Spanish: https://kemenystudio.com/es/agencia-ia-vs-equipo-interno

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