By the hour? or per project?

[Shelly]

I have been debating the possibility of converting from charging clients a set price per project to an hourly basis.

Someone told me that I was losing money not billing hourly so I was wondering if any of you WAHMs have found one better than the other... or reasons why one is easier or better ...etc

Shelly

[Lori]

I have been debating the possibility of converting from charging clients a set price per project to an hourly basis.

Someone told me that I was losing money not billing hourly so I was wondering if any of you WAHMs have found one better than the other... or reasons why one is easier or better ...etc

Shelly

Hi Shelly,

I forgot - I meant to answer this. I'm sure you probably are losing money billing by the job. On the other hand, it's probably likely you get more work that way.

I was actually wondering what you charge. I notice that you don't have prices on your site. Do you think that's the way to go? I had an extremely hard time deciding what to charge. And the problem is - the more I think about it, what I have up at Zen now is WAY to low.

I guess it depends on how badly you need work in the long run. Any thoughts?

Lori


P.S. Did you ever get my last PM... I had the hardest time trying to get it through to you.

[Nicki]

While you are probably losing money bidding and charging per project, most companies I deal with prefer that freelance contractors bid per project. I have managed to work from a flat per project bid in some of my writing assignments to the project bid plus cost of supplies. I tend to bid on grant and technical writing assignments. I can manage to get ink and paper, especially if the client is going to want multiple copies included in the final project. I have also included phone charges in some project costs. Generally, I treat it like an expense account. Any expense I can bill specifically to a single project, I ask for in addition to the project bid. I do not always receive agreement on this method from clients and am willing to work through the difference.

Nicki

[Lori]

I've decided.... :D

I prefer hourly. If I take less time then they expected to pay, they get a deal, and I get referrals.

And setting a cap where we re-evaluate what needs to be done is a good way of offsetting a client's concerns that they will pay more then they can afford.

What conclusion did you come to Shelly? And c'mon - show us some new designs!

Lori

[Jessa]

I say hourly as well, so you are getting paid for all the work you are doing and it balances out. Not all jobs will be the same, some longer some shorter, so charging hourly will allow you to charge what your time is truly worth.

[quietcornermom]

Shelly,

I have tried both ways and I found that most clients wanted to what the total was going to be for the job so that they could budget it. I would explain in detail what they would be getting for that price and anything beyond the scope of the proposal would be $x/hr.

That usually worked out best.
For occational maintenance projects I would charge hourly.

[Lori]

Off topic :D

Hi Jenn! Great to see you back with us. I moved from CT recently... am in VT now.

How is the site going for you?

Warm Regards,

Lori

[quietcornermom]

Oh... That is too bad about you moving!!! I was going to call you this week to see if we could get together!!! :cry:

Oh well. Guess I waited too long. Hope everthing is going well for you. Freelancemom seems to have really grown since the last time I was here. (Great for you!!!)

My business has been picking up lately. Still haven't had started advertising yet as I was too busy with my boys to really get business rolling, but now that my oldest is in school full time now (1st grade), I have more time to dedicate to work.

I was going to call you and see if you knew of any groups in the area for WAHM in the quiet corner area.

It will still be good to keep in touch with you and this group. Thanks!!!

[smbwallace]

By the project for me! I write feature stories for several newspapers in my area. I get paid a fixed rate for different types of stories, mostly depending on length and placement in the paper. I come out pretty good for the amount of time I spend on work, I think. If I went into an office I'd get paid less and that would be for a lot more hours and a heck of a lot more stress!