[thelist] [Freelance Rates]

HIya

Its a good idea to choose a couple of hourly rates for different work you
do.  Often times it is a simple breakdown of Design/Graphics,
Html/JavaScript, More advanced programming, and Project management, giving
each a different rate.  This lets the client know what is involved, and lets
them choose some focus for the site if they need to remain on a tight
budget.  It also helps you justify why the form is not more advanced, or
there are not as many graphical elements present.

After gathering some basic requirements from them, estimate how long it will
take, and leave a variance of 20 hours.  20 hours is a perfectly reasonable
variable for a long project like a web site.  Then give them the time
variance in dollars, and clearly state in the contract that all work beyond
that time will be billed at the same rate.  This covers you from unexpected
client demands, and gives them the avenue to expand upon your work if they
are happy with it.


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Example:

Web site Project
HTML/JavaScript = $45/hr
Graphic Design =    $65/hr
Advanced Prog. =   $85/hr (to include transactional logic, backend, etc.)

Estimated time to delivery:  100 - 120 hours
Estimated Budget:              $600 - $900
All work over 120 hours will be billed at standard rate

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This has always worked very well for me.  The client knows exactly what you
are doing and charging, and is almost always more willing to pay extra when
they are in the know.

Another advantage to billing this way, you get the ability to farm out work.
For example, if you are a good programmer but have no design experience, you
can take the gig, and then farm out the graphics work to someone else.
Sometimes you can pay your contractor a little less than you charge the
client, but even if you pay them straight across, you are still making all
the other money on the gig.  This is also smart because a project always
gets out of control in the area's you are not as comfortable with, and
that's where you loose your money.  If you know it should be done in 2 hours
but it takes you 5, you have effectively driven down your hourly rate.