hmm interesting proposition from a client

[D4VE]

Hi,

Ive been designing a website for a client (insurance company).

Basically, they dont want me to do any designs for other insurance companies for the next 2 years. For this, they will pay me a sum and they have asked how much I want.

I can see why they want that contract in place - they dont want me to go off and do a better design for a competitor.

No idea whatsoever of what to charge to be honest.

Anyone got experience of this?

 

[D4VE]

Do you design professionally, i.e. for a living?

I do a little freelance work in my spare time and I work full time doing other things (that is where most of my income comes from).

The danger I can see here is - if I got a web design job with a Design firm(currently looking) I need to be able to legally do work for any kind of company of course

I can see their point, but it could make life tricky. Although I really need this job to beef up my portfolio.
Or perhaps they are out of order to ask for this. I cant see a design agency (at least one of whom is also presenting designs) agreeing to do that.

 

[D4VE]

Thanks for the input so far.

I was thinking about saying something like:

For the fee of £X, Within the next 2 years (from date) I will not produce designs on a freelance basis for another Insurance company - unless, I get a job with a Design Agency and are required to do work for them on Insurance company website(s).

What do you reckon?

 

[D4VE]

Do they know this is what you do on the side or do they think you do this fulltime? How much work was it? Days? weeks? months?

I think 2 years fulltime wages would be hard to justify unless they're a very big insurance company and you've done a massive job for them. I think even my clients would balk at what would that would be for me. I think you may have to settle for equivalent employed rates rather than contracting rates.

How's your relationship with the client, if you signed this contract could they want you to do further work for them?

Yes they know its on the side. I am careful to tell clients this before I take on a job as it limits how quickly I can do work etc.

So far I havent done any coding, I have bid for the job by presenting designs (as PDFs). Im not doing the coding until they tell me I have been successful and will definately be doing their website. I know they have contacted an Agency too (who will charge more I imagine), but I wont find out if Ive won the work until Friday at the earliest.
However, it has been 2-3 evenings work already.

However, if I am successful they have said already that there will be further work. Quite a bit infact, as they have multiple sites.
Relationship is fine, but we have only been working together for 2 weeks on and off so it is early days.
I have yet to discover what type of client they are

 

[D4VE]

Thanks for the replies. I think they are just trying to get lucky with the contract, we will see.

Im not getting that much for it really, I deliberately quoted quite low because my Portfolio needs beefing up - When I have a couple more decent professional sites in there I'll start doing this for the money instead of the portfolio.

I seriously doubt they'll get a design Agency to agree to this so I cant see myself agreeing either. I doubt it'll cost the job, we will see. I need to discuss it with them and I told them Id be happy to do that.