charging clients.....question
- Started
- Last post
- 17 Responses
- xovi
I have a client that i been designing for like a week. They already paid me 50% of what i invoiced them(flat rate). however, they ask for so much and are always changing their minds. So they decided to meet up with me to talk over their website while i design the site too with them next to me. Should i charge them a fee/hourly if this was the case? I figure since this is more of a "have the way you want" i should charge them. idk any ideas? i hate to waste more time.
- seed0
Sounds like you are very new to this. If you are going to charge a flat fee for work you have to have detailed requirements of the work to be performed and have them sign off at various stages. If they request something not in the requirements you do a 'change order' agreement with them specifying that it will cost them more $. You can also 'pad' the cost if you expect many changes or iterations.
The idea of designing with them sitting next to you is the worst. You should avoid that if possible.
- kbags0
sounds like you need to be firm but professional in your approach. Bill them hourly and base your logic on the direction the project has taken. Give them options, but don't let them dictate the whole relationshiop. Good clients know how to give and take. Clients that don't are rarely worth the money, and if this is the case, get out now.
- kbags0
The idea of designing with them sitting next to you is the worst. You should avoid that if possible.
seed
(Nov 2 05, 20:09)DEFINITELY!!!
- xovi0
Enter response:The idea of designing with them sitting next to you is the worst. You should avoid that if possible.
seedi agree, so now how do i tell them in a professional way that it is a bad idea to be doing this.
- willhaven0
flat up, hit them with an AC form (additional Change) with the fee hourly you charge. They hopefully will wake up and stop sitting next to you as you design.
- seed0
Just say something like it is a very long time consuming process and that you can't be creative with someone watching you design. Or that you're not comfortable working that way. Tell them to send you the changes and you will update it.
- xovi0
oh very nice i like that willhaven. does 30hr sounds about right for just an html/css site/some flash work.
- seed0
It is hard to say if he can do that with out knowing their agreement on the specifics of the work to be performed.
- kbags0
Is there a trust issue? Or are they just inexperienced? When I've wound up in these types of situations, it's been because the client and I didn't mesh well. And that just happens sometimes.
But I'd start by explaining that as a designer, it's your job to take their requirements and apply your subjective creativity to produce a creative synergy of sorts. Kind of like how every director reads a screenplay and envisions the movie totally different from one another. That freedom and trust is a critical element of the creative process and without it, your effort will suffer.
A final note: If they are not going for your style, maybe they never will? And often, when you get into these situations, it's too late by the time you realize it.
- kbags0
I'd go for $35, but it all depends on the client and market
you're in the ballpark
that Change Order suggestion works well to. Just remember to be firm and professional and people will roll with you.
- xovi0
Just say something like it is a very long time consuming process and that you can't be creative with someone watching you design. Or that you're not comfortable working that way. Tell them to send you the changes and you will update it.
seedwell at beging of the design we have a contract saying that the site is to be estimated to be done in a weeks since it was agree to be something simple. but since they wanted so many changes its being dragged on. they are pressuring me a lot to work faster with their choice of updates.
but your right seed i dont feel comfortable working with them next to me i wll tell them that.
- seed0
kbags, I just upgraded to 8 form 7 but just before that I went to your site and got sent to a noflash 404 error page.
- xovi0
A final note: If they are not going for your style, maybe they never will? And often, when you get into these situations, it's too late by the time you realize it.
kbagsdefinityly the style they dont like.
- seed0
i dont feel comfortable working with them next to me i wll tell them that.
xovi
(Nov 2 05, 20:26)I don't think anyone is comfortable with that. Next time make much more detailed specifications and maybe charge hourly as well if it is easier for you. Then they will know they will have to pay for any extra time they are asking from you.
- xovi0
thank you so much kbag and seed you both are my stress reliever. I was going crazy about this whole mess i'm in. i will talk to them about the whole "comfort thing" and if they still insist in meeting i will hit them with the "AC form" and next time iw ill know better of what to do.
- tkmeister0
i charge my clients based on how many clicks i make...
- xovi0
lol i needed that laugh =D