Freelance stuff
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- beard1
Hi, kinda looking for some help here.
I'v been searching for my first design job since graduating and haven't been having much luck. So I'v recently accepted two freelance projects to keep me busy while job searching. Now I'v never done this kinda thing before so I'v no idea where to start. I'v had a quick browse of freelanceUK but I'm still unsure what the process is.
Basically I want to know the general process you have to go through to get paid. I'v made a quote to send him based on how long I reckon its going to take. Should this include tax ect. ? as I'm not registered as self employed or anything like that (I still have a part-time job). When should I ask for payment and how can I make sure I get paid? Should I highlight an hourly rate or just quote it as a rounded up sum?
I'm sure most people on here have been through the same thing at some point. I want to look as professional as possible but I'm not looking to do the freelance thing full-time just yet..... having said that both clients look to have regular work for me. I just don't want to be taken advantage of by the client really so any info/advice would be great.
Thanks in advance guys n gals,
- WeLoveNoise0
> freelance switch
- type into google
cudnt paste url in here for some reasonWeLoveNoise - ps - get out of southportWeLoveNoise
- first thing on my things to do list, dont worrybeard1
- type into google
- OhYeah0
A very good site, all you need to know.
- beard10
cheers, I'll have a browse.
- jamble0
In general terms:
1. ALWAYS get your client to sign a contract before you do any work. You'll regret it if you don't make this a religious habit. If you want a template, I have a generic contract I use here: http://www.welcomebrand.co.uk/do…
2. Billing - I usually ask for a 50% up front payment on smaller jobs or with smaller companies. When I work with agencies, I usually bill them on completion of the contract and I always expect payment within 30 days of invoicing. For invoicing, I use blinksale.com which is really good for keeping track.
3. Tax stuff, if you're self employed (I know you said you weren't but it might be worth investigating becoming a registered sole trader - call the inland revenue if you're unsure) then you only have to charge VAT on invoices if you earn over £60k per annum. I believe you can charge VAT below this if you want but you don't need to.
4. Your rates - As you mentioned, a good ballpark is look at working backwards from an annual salary figure you want to make then divide that into weeks of the year, then days then hours to work out your hourly rate.
I usually charge and quote by day not hours and don't really take on a few hours work as it never works out at being a few hours. Freelance switch has a detailled rates calculator you can use.
5. Always make your clients sign a contract and be sure the contract or a seperate project scope document is clear on exactly what is being done.
6. Make sure the client signs a contract.
Hope that helps ... good luck.
- mistermik0
wise words.
- beard10
Oh yeh, might sound like a stupid question.
But how do these people usually pay? I'm talkin small business. I got paid by cheque from my last job. Is this usual?
and if I ask for half up-front then surely I'm waiting for their payment before I start work yes? Plus the time for them to come back with a signed contract...... eesh.
Thanks for the info Jamble. Really good stuff.
- yes you wait until you have the money and the signature.doesnotexist
- i usually have them fax the signature and i start work when I get the check in the mail.doesnotexist
- Cheque or Bank Transfer usuallyfodcj
- whatever payment method floats your boat really. it doesn't matter in the end.doesnotexist
- fodcj0
You CAN'T charge VAT unless you are vat registered. This is only compulsory once you business is making over 60K a year.
- R-aI0
Getting that first payment and the signed contract shows a commitment by the client and is a very useful way of weeding out timewasters.
If a potential client does not want to sign anything or pay an amount upfront, be very wary...
- jamble0
No worries, I occasionally get paid by cheque, it's always worked out alright but in general I ask that payment is by BACS (bank transfer) that way I don't have to go to the bank to pay in a cheque.
- seven8nine100
2. Billing, 50% upfront. That's really important. Don't find yourself in a situation where you've done the work then the client turns it down for whatever reason. Cos, if you didn't get your 50% then £0 is what you get.
I would recommend you switch to a full time job as soon as you find it. And good luck to you.
- Hence the importance of the contractjamble
- Hence, thank you Jamble for the highlight ; )seven8nine10
- WeLoveNoise0
^ but u can claim expenses
and if you registered urself as a sole trader u can get allowances
- vespa0
if, like me, you suck at paperwork, it's pretty easy to hire an accountant to set up your .ltd company for you and sort your tax out.
As fodcj mentioned, there is no need for VAT unless over 60K.
98% of my clients have paid by bank transfer, only 1 client paid by cheque.
I've never asked for money upfront. But I've only done a few days at a time before invoicing, so trust has been built up quite quickly.
- totally agree
no need for cotracts either
personally eitherWeLoveNoise
- totally agree
- Dancer0
1. Keep all receipts/expenses and a record of so you can do your tax return AT THE END OF THE TAX YEARS. i.e March 30th 2009.
2. You do not need to charge VAT as I would guess you are not VAT registered.
3. Get some payment up front... I am shit at this so I will add not more to this point.
4. Send invoice on completion of project with facts, figures, dates and payments already made (see #3). Give them 30 days notice and offer payment by cheque or BACS.
5. If you are just out of Uni GET A FULL TIME JOB
- beard10
excellent info people.
Think I'v got a good idea of what I'm gonna do now. Sounds much simpler than I thought it was going to be regarding VAT and stuff. But I'll make sure I sort out some kind of contract and payment before I do anything.
Thanks guys