n8n consultant for workflows and self-hosting.
Need an n8n consultant? We plan, build and self-host n8n workflows for small businesses, so there is no per-task bill and no vendor lock-in. We map the process, connect your tools, test it with real sample data, and hand you a workflow you own, with the docs to run it.
What is n8n, and why we default to it
n8n is an open-source automation platform — the same idea as Zapier or Make, but you can run it on your own server. That one difference changes the economics: instead of paying per task forever, you pay for a small server and run as much automation as you want on top of it. You also keep your data, and you keep the workflow if you ever part ways with us.
We use n8n in our own business — our client and event intake forms post into self-hosted n8n workflows that route the data where it needs to go. So when we build yours, it is on a stack we run every day, not a tool we read about.
Workflows we build most often
Most n8n projects we see fall into a few shapes. Here are the ones small businesses ask for most:
- Lead intake: a website form or a booking lands in your CRM or a Google Sheet, the right person gets a text or a Slack message, and a follow-up email goes out.
- Invoices and payments: a Stripe payment or a new invoice updates your records and sends a receipt or a reminder.
- Documents: a PDF dropped in a folder gets read, the key fields are pulled out, and anything missing is flagged for a person to check.
- Reports: a weekly summary of leads, sales or jobs, pulled from your tools and emailed to you.
Our own event sign-up forms run this way: each registration posts to a self-hosted n8n workflow that writes it to a sheet, and n8n queues the rush when many people sign up at once.
What you get at the end
The workflow running on a small server or on n8n Cloud, the workflow files themselves, a short written guide to what each one does, and a fix window after launch for anything we built. Want to learn the basics first? Read what n8n is and who it is for.
n8n vs Zapier vs Make
Approximate, as of 2026. Check current vendor pricing before deciding. For the full breakdown, see our n8n vs Zapier vs Make comparison.
| n8n (self-hosted) | Zapier | Make | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Self-hosted: VPS only. No per-task fee. | Per task / per month | Per operation / per month |
| Approx. entry cost (2026) | ~$5–20/mo VPS (or n8n Cloud ~$20/mo) | ~$20–30/mo and up | ~$10–16/mo and up |
| Cost as volume grows | Flat — you pay for the server, not the tasks | Climbs with task count | Climbs with operation count |
| Custom code | Yes (JS / Python nodes) | Limited | Limited |
| You own the data + workflow | Yes (self-hosted) | No | No |
What a typical n8n project looks like
- Map the workflow on a short call — triggers, steps, the tools it touches
- Build and test it, with real sample data
- Connect your tools — forms, CRM, Google Sheets, Stripe, email, Slack, and more
- Self-host it on a small VPS for you, or deploy to n8n Cloud
- Hand off documentation and a workflow you own
n8n questions
What is n8n and why do you default to it?
n8n is an open-source workflow automation tool — like Zapier or Make, but you can self-host it. We default to it because there is no per-task metering, you own the data and the workflows, and there is no vendor lock-in. If a simpler tool fits better, we will say so.
When does n8n beat Zapier or Make?
When you run a lot of automation steps, need custom logic or code, want to keep data on your own server, or do not want a bill that scales with every task. For light, low-volume automation, Zapier or Make can be simpler — we will recommend whichever actually fits.
What does a typical n8n project look like?
A discovery call to map the workflow, then we build and test it, connect your tools (forms, CRM, Sheets, Stripe, email, Slack), and either self-host it on a small VPS for you or deploy to n8n Cloud. You get documentation and a workflow you own.
What does it cost to run a self-hosted n8n?
Self-hosting runs on a small VPS — roughly $5–$20/mo as of 2026 — with no per-task fees on top. n8n Cloud starts around $20/mo if you prefer hosted. The build itself is scoped per project; we quote it on a free call.
How much does an n8n project cost?
Automation is scoped per project — there is no posted price because every workflow is different. Book a free 10–15 minute discovery call and we will scope and quote it, usually within a business day.
Not sure n8n is the right tool? See all automation services — we will recommend the simplest thing that works.
Automate the busywork.
Tell us the task you keep doing by hand — we’ll scope an n8n workflow to take it off your plate.