Sample size & Budget is the step where scope and price get settled. Skipper puts a quote in front of you and explains it; if it isn't what you wanted, you work it out together in the conversation, and nothing changes until you agree.
In This Article
The Quote Card
Collapsed, the card gives you the two figures that matter side by side: your sample size as a large N = number, and the estimated price (shown with a ~, because it's an estimate until checkout), over a short tier caption.
Expanded, it keeps that headline and adds a row of chips summarising the quote—your Tier, the LOI (length of interview, how long the survey takes a respondent, in minutes), and the CPI (cost per interview). A chip is left out if that value isn't available yet.
The card is read-only—it reports the quote rather than letting you edit it. The way you change a quote is to ask.
Accepting the Quote
Skipper presents the quote in the conversation with a single button under it to accept it, worded along the lines of Lock it in — on to the survey draft. Press it, or simply tell Skipper you're happy with the price—either one closes the step.
Until you accept, the price is an offer. Skipper won't call it locked or agreed, and the study doesn't move on to drafting.
When the Quote Isn't Right
Tell Skipper. "That's over budget", "can I get more for that", "what would it take to make this cheaper"—the negotiation happens in plain words.
Skipper answers with concrete scope changes, each named with what it costs you in research terms: one concept or research question fewer, a shorter survey, a looser screening question. It can also price a what-if for you without touching your quote.
Nothing changes until you say yes. When you agree to a change, Skipper hands it to the step that owns it—the audience, the survey, the concepts—and then re-quotes.
💡 Tip: If you tell Skipper your budget, it remembers it. It won't quote you a lower-confidence version of the same study to hit the number—it will suggest scope changes instead, so you can see what you'd be giving up.
What Moves Your Price
- Sample size. The biggest single factor. Skipper recommends a sample size for the decision you're making and will explain what a smaller one gives up before reducing it.
- Scope. The number of concepts you're testing, and how they're shown to respondents.
- Survey length. A longer survey costs more per respondent—but shortening it doesn't always lower the price. Small trims often leave it unchanged.
- How hard your audience is to reach. Screening questions in particular narrow the pool. See Your Audience and Screening Questions.
Your quote is one all-in price. At checkout the order total is broken into its lines—the sample, a single aytm platform technology use line, and any taxes—so you can see what you're paying for before you pay.
A very long survey can't be priced automatically. If yours gets there, Skipper will ask you to shorten it before quoting.
After the Quote
Bridge writes a complete first version of your survey before quoting, because the price has to be based on a real survey. Once you accept the quote, you review and refine that survey at the draft step.
If a later change would move the agreed price, Skipper tells you the old and new figures and asks before applying it. If your audience changes, the audience is measured again and Skipper re-quotes for you to accept.
At checkout the price is recalculated from your study as it stands, and you'll see the full total—including taxes—on the Pay … and launch study button before you pay. If you have a promo code, enter it at checkout under Have a promocode?