hourly vs. fixed rate
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- jkmohr
i've been reading up on the pros and cons for each. what do you personally charge clients? so much an hour or a flat rate per project? any pros or cons you've noticed?
and yes, i've read a bunch of articles and visited a lot of sites on the matter. i'm just wondering what you all as individuals do.
- ephix0
For a project, usually a total project cost with changes outside of scope charged at hourly rates.
- jamble0
I try to avoid charging hourly, it's much harder to keep track of.
- amullins0
yup i agree with the comments above. clients like to know what they're going to be charged (with an estimate, there will undoubtedly be overages). that being said - i generally charge hourly rates for very small projects and project maintenance (in the absence of a contract).
- subimage0
fixed rate for design projects = ok sometimes...
fixed rate for coding projects = utter failure
- akrokdesign0
if the client is a design agency. hourly.
other wise, flat rate as there that budget that usually are kinda thin.
- clifton0
i usually go with fixed but in contract state things like change request limitations which will let the client understand that if they want more changes or add ons an hourly rate will be applied to the project after the fact or in conjunction to the total amount stated.....this adds the security of unforeseen directions a client might take. and puts you in the drivers seat.
- trooper0
i give fixed price and a maximum number of hours... as always with fixed prices you always get stung with project creep
- nocomply0
I bill hourly whenever possible. I provide a clear estimate upfront in which I document all of the work to be done and estimate the number of hours the project will take. I tell my clients that if for some reason I am running over-estimate they will be notified well ahead of time. I also tell them that if I finish something ahead of schedule they won't be billed the original estimated amount.
I think this works for me because I normally meet with my clients and develop a sense of trust before sending out an estimate (or I already know them).
I am currently working on a project in which the client insisted on a flat rate. I bid too low and I am now paying the price a little bit.
- you always will... my rule of thumb is x2.5 on estimated time when quoting flat ratetrooper
- utopian0
Fuck it, just do their work for free. This way you do not have to pay any taxes, there will be no disputes over pay or how many hours that you worked.
Enough with the free advice...