A realistic budget separates evidence production from the business costs of the US assignment and leaves room for changes in facts or procedure.
Price the record, not a promised result
Identify costs for entity documents, foreign employment records, technical document preparation, translations, government fees, travel, and any professional review. Hypothetical example: A firm pays for a product expert’s flights but needs an outside translation of historic training material. Treat those as separate assumptions and record who is responsible for each.
Current fee information should be obtained from USCIS near the filing date. Avoid using a single estimate for later extensions, because the employee’s time in L classification, role, and business facts may have changed. Do not call ordinary salary or project expense a filing cost unless it truly is one.
A concise engagement scope should explain whether it includes document organization, substantive assessment, government response work, or only an initial consultation. Clear categories make later approval of necessary spending easier. Use a written assumptions list with a date beside every estimate.
Confirm official charges shortly before payment and ask providers what their scope excludes. Do not treat money already spent on a commercial plan as proof that an immigration category fits. A reserve for changed facts is prudent, but it should never be described as a way to purchase approval.
For this l1b review, keep that conclusion tied to the documents actually available. Confirm the current procedure before relying on an earlier file or informal description.