Freelance Rate
Out of context: Reply #35
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There was a time when I'd quote a fee for each project, but like everyone else, there are a few major problems:
• some clients want to make sure they're "getting their money's worth" and will ask for revisions or extra mockups that are a waste of everyone's time and money.
• if I underestimated a project, I would have to decide for myself if I should let the project suffer or work extra hours for free or ask my client for more money. It doesn't help me to produce mediocre work, working for free is stupid, and you never want to ask for more money. Honestly you shouldn't be ASKING for money at all, you should be telling your client what they will be paying you.
Recently, I've started to give clients an hourly rate and an estimate for each project. I let them know that I'll try to stay within the estimate and that I'll inform them if I think we'll be heading over the initial estimate. But the hourly rate is what I'm charging, and they should know that if they waste my time they are paying for it.
This has worked well lately for my clients. If someone wants a new feature or a change, I can say, "sure, that'll be a few hours work" and they know what to expect to pay. Then THEY can decide if it's worth it for them. Similar to how an autobody shop or mechanic would estimate, I think.
This new system also leaves me much happier. If I have an annoying client asking for all kinds of crazy nonsense, I just smile and remember that it's money in the bank. You want me to turn a tiff into a jpg? No problem, I'm a specialist.
As for rates? Charge high. Find out what a plumber costs in your neighbourhood and make sure you're charging more than that, perhaps double. If this seems too high, ask yourself if your talents are more uniquely valuable than a plumber. Clients generally expect to pay for things, clients who don't can go to 99designs or homestead.com and buy shit. Let them go, you don't want them as clients anyway.