Freelance Project Rate
Out of context: Reply #6
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Figuring out your hourly and break even rates is extremely important. At no time should any project get down to with 1.3x your break even rate unless it is a labour of love or your getting some serious perks.
This is a handy calculator that helps get a rough idea of what your looking at. http://freelanceswitch.com/rates…
Once you figure out what your rate is (this will be different then freelancing for a studio) estimate how much time the project should take, add about 30% contingency and then float the estimate to your client.
*note: this is an ESTIMATE not a QUOTE. Quote is set in stone and Estimate is subject to change.
A friend of mine gave me a great quote to work by: "If the client does not balk at your initial estimate you have under charged them".
There is a a great book called "the business side of creativity" and "the business side of graphic design" that you should pick up (can't remember the authors name right now). They really helped me get a grip on things.
- oh yeah I almost forgot that you have to compare all this stuff against what the market will bear. If it can't handle your costs, find another market :-)scrap_paper