Query & Performance Optimization
Slow queries, high CPU, blocking chains, runaway execution plans. We find the root cause, fix it, and give you before/after numbers so you can see the difference.
Typical scope: 10–20 hours
Database Consulting
Database Consulting
From Engineers Who've Seen It Before.
Got a SQL Server project? Performance problem? Migration to plan? Buy a block of hours with a senior database consultant who's been doing this for 15+ years. Use them on whatever you need. They never expire.
150+
Organizations Served
15+ yrs
Avg. DBA Experience
5,000x
Query Speed Improvement
Never
Hours Expire
Project Types
What Our Database Consulting Covers
Every project starts with a call to scope the work. We'll tell you how many hours it'll take and which package fits. Here's what most clients hire us for.
Database Migration Consulting
On-prem to Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud. Data center to data center. We handle planning, testing, cutover, and post-migration validation. Rollback scripts at every step.
Typical scope: 20–40 hours
Version Upgrades
SQL 2012 to 2022, 2016 to 2019, or any combination. We test compatibility, handle deprecated features, and benchmark performance before and after.
Typical scope: 20–40 hours
Security Audits
Permission reviews, encryption configuration, login auditing, vulnerability scans. We document gaps and give you a prioritized fix list mapped to your compliance requirements.
Typical scope: 10–20 hours
Architecture Reviews
Database design, HA/DR strategy, storage layout, capacity planning. We look at how your environment is built and tell you what's working and what's going to cause problems.
Typical scope: 10–20 hours
Backup & Disaster Recovery
Backup strategy design, restore testing, failover clustering, Always On Availability Groups setup. We make sure you can actually recover when something goes wrong.
Typical scope: 10–30 hours
Consulting Packages
Database Consulting Packages
Buy hours, use them on anything. We scope the work during a free call and recommend the right package. If you don't use all the hours on one project, save them for the next one.
Block
20 Hours
$4,995
one-time
Hours never expire
- ✓ Senior DBA with 15+ years
- ✓ Use on any SQL Server work
- ✓ Start within 1–3 business days
- ✓ Before/after performance reports
- ✓ Free 110-point health check included
Block
40 Hours
$9,495
one-time · 5% discount
Hours never expire
- ✓ Senior DBA with 15+ years
- ✓ Use on any SQL Server work
- ✓ Start within 1–3 business days
- ✓ Before/after performance reports
- ✓ Free 110-point health check included
Plan
Unlimited
$6,500
/month · annual agreement
or $7,150/month · month-to-month
- ✓ Senior DBA with 15+ years
- ✓ No hourly caps
- ✓ Dedicated DBA assigned to you
- ✓ Before/after performance reports
- ✓ Free 110-point health check included
*** Block hours never expire. Unlimited Plan: annual commitment required for $6,500/mo rate.
Process
How a Database Consulting Engagement Works
Most projects kick off within a few days of your first call.
Scope the Work
Free 30-minute call. We talk about your project and estimate how many hours it'll take.
Pick a Package
Choose the block that fits. If you're not sure, we'll recommend one based on the scope.
We Get to Work
Your DBA starts within 1–3 business days. You get regular updates and access to ask questions.
Results Delivered
You get a written summary with what was done, what changed, and before/after metrics where applicable.
Case Study
Service King Collision: 345 Locations, Daily Outages, Zero Budget for New Hardware
Service King was dealing with daily SQL Server outages across 345 repair centers. Leadership was considering a $1M hardware upgrade, assuming the servers had hit capacity. Red9 stepped in with a consulting engagement, identified the real root causes (misconfigured storage, database corruption, unoptimized queries), and fixed them without buying a single new server.
5,000x
Query speed improvement
15x
SAN speed boost
50%
Backup time reduction
200+
Queries optimized
$0
New hardware purchased
From Our Clients
What Database Consulting Clients Say
A True Partner
"We view Red9 as an extension of our IT department. They monitor and manage our SQL Server performance, support us when we encounter issues, and help us make sure our SQL statements are efficient. They are a true partner."
Highly Capable and Productive
"Red9 proved to be highly capable and productive. They provided complete end-to-end evaluation on database design, development and performance capacity and successfully executed those recommendations."
Outstanding Job
"Database integration changes. Red9, again, did an outstanding job. Was quick, very knowledgeable and professional. This was a second hire, and there will be more!"
The Basics
What Is Database Consulting?
Database consulting is hiring a senior database expert for a defined piece of work instead of a permanent role. A database consultant scopes the problem, does the work, and hands it back: a performance tuning pass, a migration plan, a version upgrade, a security audit, an architecture review, or a disaster-recovery design. At Red9 that consultant is a DBA with 15+ years on SQL Server, and you buy their time in a block of hours that never expires. No retainer, no lock-in, no junior learning on your production server.
How to Choose
How to Choose a Database Consulting Firm
Most database consulting firms are generalist IT shops that also touch databases. A few specialize. Four things separate them:
Not all database consultants are the same. Some firms hand you a junior DBA consultant and a stack of generic recommendations. Here is how to spot the database management consultants who will actually move the needle.
- Platform depth, not breadth. A firm that does SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, Postgres, and Mongo splits its attention five ways. Ask how much of the work is the platform you actually run.
- Who does the work. Some firms sell a senior name and staff the job with juniors. Ask whether the person on the scoping call is the person on your server.
- Engagement model. Block hours and project scopes keep you in control. Open-ended retainers bill whether or not there is work to do.
- Response time. When a consulting fix touches production, how fast can they get on it? Red9 averages 7.3 minutes on high-priority issues.
Not sure where your environment stands? Start with a free SQL Server assessment, a 110-point audit that tells you what to fix before you scope the work.
Our Scope
We Do SQL Server. Only SQL Server.
Red9 is a Microsoft SQL Server shop, including Azure SQL. If you run MySQL, Postgres, or Mongo, we are not your firm, and we will say so on the first call. That focus is the point: every consultant has spent 15+ years on SQL Server and nothing else. For platform-specific engagements, see our SQL Server consulting page.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does database consulting cost?
20 hours for $4,995, 40 hours for $9,495 (5% discount), or unlimited hours for $6,500/month on an annual agreement ($7,150/mo month-to-month). We scope every project during a free call so you know the cost before committing.
Do the hours expire?
No. Block hours never expire. If you buy 20 hours and only use 12 on your current project, the remaining 8 sit there until you need them. Use them next month, next quarter, or next year.
What does database consulting include?
Anything SQL Server related. Performance tuning, migrations, version upgrades, security audits, architecture reviews, backup and DR strategy, HA setup, query optimization, capacity planning, compliance prep. If it touches SQL Server, our DBAs can do it.
How fast can you start?
Most projects start within 1–3 business days of signing. If it's urgent, we can sometimes start sooner. We'll work out timing during the scoping call.
What's the difference between consulting and managed services?
Consulting is project-based. You buy hours, we do the work, and we deliver results. Managed services is ongoing: 24/7 monitoring, alert response, proactive tuning, and service requests month over month. If you have a specific problem to solve, consulting is the right fit. If you need ongoing coverage, that's managed services.
Do I get a dedicated DBA?
On the Unlimited plan, yes. You get a single DBA assigned to your account who learns your environment in depth. On block packages, we assign the DBA best suited to your project type. Either way, every DBA has at least 15 years of SQL Server experience.
Will I get a report when the project is done?
Yes. Every consulting engagement ends with a written summary of what was done, what changed, and before/after performance metrics where applicable. You also get the 110-point health check report that's included free with every package.
What if my project needs more hours than I bought?
We'll tell you before we run out. If the project needs more time, you can add another block. We won't stop mid-project or surprise you with overages. You'll always know where you stand on hours.
What does a database consultant do?
A database consultant, sometimes called a DBA consultant, diagnoses what is slowing down, costing, or threatening your database, fixes it, and hands your team a plan they can run without us. Red9 database consultants are senior SQL Server DBAs with 15+ years each. No juniors, no handoffs.
Got a Database Project?
Let's Scope It.
Free 30-minute call. We'll estimate the hours, recommend a package, and give you a clear timeline. No pressure.
Book Your Free Scoping Call ➜