Pay nothing until your hire passes probation.
No retainer and no upfront cost. 10 percent of first year salary, charged only if your hire completes probation. Agencies typically charge 15 to 25 percent, when the hire starts.
- €0 until probation is passedNo retainer, no advertising charge and no fee on the start date. If your hire does not complete probation, you owe nothing.
- 10%, not 15 to 25%A flat 10 percent of first year basic salary on permanent roles. Roughly half what agencies typically charge.
- See them before you meet themFor an exceptional match who agrees to it, we send a short video introduction with the shortlist, so you hear them before you read a CV.
Side by side
What a permanent hire costs with a typical agency, and with FH.
Typical agency
15 to 25%
Charged when the hire starts
FH Recruitment
10%
Charged only after your hire passes probation
- Fee
- Typical agency: 15 to 25% of first year salary. Retained search is often 25 to 33%.
- FH: 10% of first year salary.
- When you pay
- Typical agency: On placement, usually invoiced when the hire starts. Retained searches take instalments before anyone is hired.
- FH: Only after your hire completes probation.
- Upfront cost
- Typical agency: Often a retainer on senior roles.
- FH: Nothing. No retainer, no advertising charge.
- If the hire leaves early
- Typical agency: Often a free replacement or part refund for a limited period.
- FH: You owe nothing if it is during probation.
- Before you meet
- Typical agency: A CV, then a call.
- FH: A short video introduction for an exceptional match, with the candidate's agreement.
| Term | Typical agency | FH Recruitment |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | 15 to 25% of first year salary. Retained search is often 25 to 33%. | 10% of first year salary. |
| When you pay | On placement, usually invoiced when the hire starts. Retained searches take instalments before anyone is hired. | Only after your hire completes probation. |
| Upfront cost | Often a retainer on senior roles. | Nothing. No retainer, no advertising charge. |
| If the hire leaves early | Often a free replacement or part refund for a limited period. | You owe nothing if it is during probation. |
| Before you meet | A CV, then a call. | A short video introduction for an exceptional match, with the candidate's agreement. |
What it means in euro
The fee on a permanent hire, at four salaries. 10% against a typical 15% to 25%.
€35,000
Typical agency: €5,250 to €8,750
FH: €3,500
You keep: €3,500 to €5,250
€50,000
Typical agency: €7,500 to €12,500
FH: €5,000
You keep: €5,000 to €7,500
€70,000
Typical agency: €10,500 to €17,500
FH: €7,000
You keep: €7,000 to €10,500
€100,000
Typical agency: €15,000 to €25,000
FH: €10,000
You keep: €10,000 to €15,000
| First year salary | Typical agency, 15 to 25% | FH, 10% | You keep, against 20% to 25% |
|---|---|---|---|
| €35,000 | €5,250 to €8,750 | €3,500 | €3,500 to €5,250 |
| €50,000 | €7,500 to €12,500 | €5,000 | €5,000 to €7,500 |
| €70,000 | €10,500 to €17,500 | €7,000 | €7,000 to €10,500 |
| €100,000 | €15,000 to €25,000 | €10,000 | €10,000 to €15,000 |
Try your own salary
- Typical agency, 15 to 25%
- €7,500 to €12,500
- When the hire starts
- FH, 10%
- €5,000
- Only after probation
- You keep
- €5,000 to €7,500
- Against a 20% to 25% fee
Fees exclude VAT. Typical agency figures are published Irish ranges, not a quote from any named agency.
How it works
- 1Tell us who you needOne sentence is enough. A consultant replies within one working day.
- 2Get a checked shortlistThree to five people we have spoken to, names hidden until they say yes. A video for any exceptional match.
- 3You interview and hireWe run the process with you to the offer.
- 4Pay after probationWe invoice 10% once your hire completes probation. Not before.
Questions employers ask
What counts as passing probation?
Your hire is still employed when the probation period in their contract ends. In Ireland a probation period can be up to six months. We agree the end date with you in writing before the search starts.
What if the hire leaves or does not work out during probation?
You owe us nothing. There is no retainer, no advertising charge and no fee on the start date, so there is nothing to claim back.
Which roles does this cover?
Permanent roles. Contract and temporary staffing, and executive search, are priced separately. Your consultant tells you before any work begins.
How do you decide a candidate is an exceptional match?
We score each candidate's experience, registration, location, pay and availability against your brief, and a consultant checks the result. Only where the match is exceptional, and the candidate agrees, do we send a short video introduction with the shortlist.
Is VAT included?
No. Every figure on this page excludes VAT.
The fee is 10% of the hire's first year basic salary, excluding VAT, on permanent roles, and is invoiced once the hire has completed the probation period in their contract. Terms are confirmed in writing before any search begins. Typical agency figures are published Irish ranges for permanent placements, not quotes from any named agency. Source: Irish recruitment agency fees guide, March 2026.
Tell us who you need
A consultant comes back within one working day. Nothing to pay until your hire passes probation.