We are independent financial advisers.  This means that we offer you the option of paying us by fees or commissions.  Different than buying a washing machine.   You want to know if the ongoing contract of maintenance is really making the contract more expensive;  we want to be able to communicate the same to you about our products.  Some people wish to pay us up front for all our work;  others prefer to build an ongoing relationship in which we are paid year on year.