best way to determine your..
Out of context: Reply #13
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- _salisae_0
Just read this on another forum --- what do you think of this suggestion:
One rule of thumb is to estimate how many hours it'll take you, and then double it. I am NOT suggesting you double hours in an attempt to deceive your clients...I am suggesting it because at first you are very likely to be underselling yourself and underestimating the total time you will spend on the project (including paperwork, estimates, errands, invoicing, press checking, etc.) Also, write in the estimate that "any work beyond the scope outlined in this estimate will be discussed with client and an additional estimate for that work will be provided." The Graphic Artists Guild Handbook will have a better version of that copy.
If the client is unhappy with the bottom line cost, what you can do with the above estimate is reduce the price per hour, without reducing the time spent. This sends the message to the client about how valuable your time is, and that you are cutting them a break. Staying firm on the hours builds confidence in your client about the amount of work involved. If the client is *really* unhappy about the overall cost, slightly reducing your hourly rate for them is a way you can make them feel like they're getting the same effort and product, for less cost. Doubling your hours covers your butt until you get a healthy sense of how much time this particular client takes, as well as how much time this type of project takes in general. Definitely DO NOT tell your client you've doubled the hours. Also, by doing this, you won't be pissed off and bitter while you're on revision 12, when you already went over the hours by revision #6. This can really effect your enthusiasm about the project, in a not so great way.
If you come in under, offer to apply a few hours to another project, or tell them what a joy it was to work with them and how easy it was and would they like to continue working with you on another project? The next estimate will be more realistic and they will be happier. If you come in significantly under, no matter how much extra thought and effort you put into the project, you should tactfully let them know this and charge them less at invoicing time.