Short answer? It depends.

Longer, more helpful answer? Still: it depends. But let me explain.

Most people ask this when they’re stuck

If you’re Googling “how many hours should I hire a VA for?” chances are you’re:

Completely overwhelmed. Dreading the idea of outsourcing. Desperate for someone to just tell you what to do.

You want a number. A neat one. Something to plug into your budget and file under Handled.

Totally fair. You’re a business owner. You’re trying to be responsible. You don’t want to overcommit… or under-brief.

But here’s the truth no one tells you.

You don’t need to have it all figured out first

That’s the whole point of working with a VA, especially one who’s strategic.

You don’t need to arrive with a colour-coded plan and a list of exact hours.

You just need to know something’s not working, and that you’re ready for a bit of breathing space.

So what does “a few hours” actually look like?

Here’s a rough guide to give you something to work with:

2 to 4 hours a week is a good starting point for most solo business owners. It covers the recurring tasks that quietly eat your time — inbox monitoring, scheduling, a weekly report, basic admin that keeps things ticking.

5 to 8 hours a week starts to feel more transformational. You’re not just keeping the plates spinning, you’re actually getting ahead. This is where clients tend to notice the biggest shift in headspace.

A day a week or more makes sense when you’re growing, launching, or going through a busy season and you need someone properly embedded in what you’re building.

A one-off session like Waffle & Write is perfect when you’re not sure where to start and you need clarity before you commit to anything ongoing.

These aren’t rules. They’re starting points.

Start small, then build from there

I always suggest beginning with a few hours a week. See how it feels. Test the rhythm.

Because the magic often happens when clients realise:

“Wait… I can hand that over?” “Oh, I don’t have to check that Facebook group 76 times a day?” “I just got paid faster because that invoice went out on time?!”

One of my lovely clients started with just a couple of hours, no pressure. As things clicked into place, those hours increased naturally. Not because I pushed, but because they had more time, more focus, and more energy for the stuff that grows their business.

What about budgets?

Good question. And a big one.

I’ll never tie you into a retainer without knowing what works for both of us. Some clients start with ad hoc support or a single session. Some set a monthly budget we work within.

It’s calm. It’s consultative. And I’ll always be honest about what’s realistic for your budget, your bandwidth, and your business.

Have a look at my VA packages to see how that’s structured, or check out the full range of Strategic VA services if you’re not sure what you need yet.

Still not sure where to start?

That’s genuinely the most common place to be. And it’s exactly why Waffle & Write exists.

A focused 30 or 60-minute session where you talk, I listen, and we turn whatever’s swirling into a proper written summary you can actually do something with and walk away with a clear brain. Lots of people use it as the starting point before committing to ongoing support, and it often makes the hours question answer itself.

Find out more about Waffle & Write →

Or if you want to work through what kind of support you actually need before thinking about hours at all, this post walks you through it step by step.

You don’t need all the answers before you reach out. You just need to know things could feel easier. We’ll figure out the rest together.