Database Design & Performance Tuning
Fixed-scope database health checks, query and index tuning, schema design and cost review for SQL Server, Azure SQL and PostgreSQL — slower queries fixed, risks documented, and a prioritized roadmap you can act on.
Overview
Database Design & Performance Tuning starts with a measured baseline — wait statistics, the queries that consume the most resources, index health, blocking and deadlock patterns, backup and recovery posture, and permissions — and turns it into severity-rated findings. The fixes that matter most are implemented and proven with before/after benchmarks rather than promised.
Every change is tested on a non-production copy and applied under your own change process. Larger scopes add a schema and data-model review with the recommended design changes implemented, plus capacity and cost sizing for Azure SQL. This is a fixed-scope engagement, not an ongoing DBA service: for day-to-day care afterwards, see Frontier Plans or Frontier Hours.
What you get
- Health-check report (wait statistics, top resource-consuming queries, missing/duplicate/unused indexes, blocking and deadlock patterns, backup and recovery posture, security and permissions review) with severity-rated findings
- Implemented tuning changes (query rewrites, indexing, statistics and maintenance plans) with before/after benchmarks
- Schema and data-model review with recommended design changes (implemented in the larger scopes)
- Capacity and cost review (Azure SQL tier, DTU/vCore sizing, storage growth)
- Monitoring baseline and alert recommendations
- Runbook for the DBA / operations team
- Prioritized 30/90/180-day roadmap
- 30 days of post-tuning support (Frontier Hours)
Milestones
| Milestone | Duration | Share of price |
|---|---|---|
| 1Health check & performance baseline | 1 wk | 25% |
| 2Tuning implementation & before/after benchmarks | 2 wks | 35% |
| 3Schema, capacity & cost review | 1 wk | 25% |
| 4Runbook, roadmap & handover | 1 wk | 15% |
Each milestone is invoiced only after you approve it in your portal.
Payment terms
- Milestone-based payments: the first milestone is a 25% advance, invoiced at signing and paid before kickoff; each remaining milestone is invoiced only after your explicit approval in the client portal.
- Invoices are due Net 15. Payment terms can be negotiated based on the project's scope and duration; any agreed change is confirmed in the signed Consulting Services Agreement.
- All payments are processed securely. Funds are released to delivery partners only after milestone approval.
- Quotes are valid for 30 days. Final scope and pricing are confirmed in the signed Consulting Services Agreement.
- Execution: after Data Arcade review, both parties accept the quote online; the Consulting Services Agreement (MSA + SOW) is then signed electronically by both parties.
Frequently asked questions
What does Database Design & Performance Tuning include?
It includes: Health-check report (wait statistics, top resource-consuming queries, missing/duplicate/unused indexes, blocking and deadlock patterns, backup and recovery posture, security and permissions review) with severity-rated findings; Implemented tuning changes (query rewrites, indexing, statistics and maintenance plans) with before/after benchmarks; Schema and data-model review with recommended design changes (implemented in the larger scopes); Capacity and cost review (Azure SQL tier, DTU/vCore sizing, storage growth); Monitoring baseline and alert recommendations; Runbook for the DBA / operations team; Prioritized 30/90/180-day roadmap; 30 days of post-tuning support (Frontier Hours).
How much does Database Design & Performance Tuning cost?
The published price range is $6,600 – $101,600. Configure the package with a free account to get your fixed quote; the price is fixed for the agreed scope.
How long does Database Design & Performance Tuning take?
Typically 1-8 weeks, depending on the scope you configure.
What do we need to provide?
Read access to the databases in scope and to their monitoring data; A non-production copy where changes can be tested; A named owner for the client's change-approval process.
How is it paid?
Milestone-based payments: the first milestone is a 25% advance, invoiced at signing and paid before kickoff; each remaining milestone is invoiced only after your explicit approval in the client portal.