[thelist] [Freelance Rates]

Re: freelancing rates -- 

Eons ago I wrote a long post to Evolt's list about what was important 
in choosing clients and such, which ought to be part of any comments 
on money as it's all part of the package...

A few months ago I had a client ask to refer me to another potential 
client (I usually work only via personal reference). The firm had 
been paying $100/hr for html/javascript/graphic webmastering. I was 
astonished.  Plain 'static page' webmastering in the world I know 
gets around $25-50/hr depending.  (Other scripting costs more.)

The potential client told me it was because they were in the bay area 
(SF CA USA) and cost of living made that kind of rate a standard.  
Funny, I always figured that internet stuff being rather not-based-on-
location (in at least some cases), location of the developer wouldn't 
matter so much as in other industries. I guess it does.

I was too busy to take the client, but I had fond ideas of making 
anywhere near $100/hr on all my projects.  I just moved to nowhere OK 
and my 3-bdrm house payment plus insurance plus taxes comes to a 
whopping $300/mo in this pretty little city, and everything else is 
less expensive as well -- my "standard of living" went up pretty 
dramatically, since my income doesn't change as it's all via Net.  

I don't much hold with the price-fixing worry, we're not union.  Here 
is my rate sheet below.  This is probably low compared to some -- but 
my rates are not based on my ideals or what the industry in some city 
might pay if I worked on-site there. This is based on my real 
clients, and they're very good about patience with my schedule which 
ought to count for something additional I guess.

items and my standard per-hr charges:
* concept discussions, etc.: n/c
* verbal & email comm. w/coworkers: n/c
* verbal communications w/cust: 25
* email communications: 30
* tech documentation and written education: 35
* meetings & interactive sessions: 40
* concept/planning for programming: 40
* html, cgi, dhtml, javascripting: 40
* moderation, sysopping (web/email/non-live): 40
* pdf, spreadsheet, WP etc. work: 40
* architecture, navigation, layout work: 45
* editing, proofing, user-interface consulting: 45
* graphic clean-up (scan/ocr/revise): 45
* sql, cfml, custom-writing, most audio work: 50
* custom graphic design, logos and print work: 50
* live training, project/pers mgmt: 55
* moderation/facilitation (live): 55

>>My question is, for HTML (with a little ASP) what is a good rate?

FWIW.
Regards,
PJ


--------
Palyne Gaenir
ScienceHorizon Web Media
http://www.sciencehorizon.com
palyne@sciencehorizon.com
Toll-Free 877-316-0763