How much to charge?

[elkdanger]

'ello

After having applied for jobs as a web developer, I've been asked by one particular employer if, since they don't have any full time positions available at the minute, I would be interested in submitting myself as a freelance developer.

Now whilst I don't have any industry experience thus far, I feel more than capable of taking on such work, even if it's not guaranteed (and I will still be looking for a full-time position elsewhere). Also, it would be a big plus to my c.v and aid in getting work in the future.

However, he's asked The Question: how much do I charge? What is my hourly/daily rate?

I've no idea. What would an acceptable rate be in the city of Newcastle Upon Tyne, and would I be better to charge hourly or daily?

 

[zetec452]

Generally you will charge an amount relative to the amount of experience you have. Some people charge 10 pounds per hour, i know people who charge 120 per hour.

The main thing is to try and give yourself a rough idea of how long the project is going to take you to develop. Say 10 hours, then multiply your hourly figure. Realistically you will end up doing probably double the amount of hours than what you first indented so keep that in mind.

I wouldn't have thought 20 per hour if you can deliver a good product would be unreasonable. Don't take a project on that you know you can't do or finish, this will give you a bad rep.

 

[elkdanger]

Of course, if he's minted and doesn't have a clue charge more

Heh Unfortunately he's the founder of this particular company and uses freelancers quite often; I bet he's got a stellar idea about what a good rate for a freelance developer is.

I've replied to his mail, asking what type of work I would be sent. I have done some freelance work before, and understand that you should allow more time for a project than you originally plan for. I have just never done this in such a professional scenario before; it's always been website work for the bloke who runs the shop down the street, or for a friend of a friend.

 

[elkdanger]

Don't take a project on that you know you can't do or finish, this will give you a bad rep.

Just seen your flash edit there - I know all about what this can do to someone aswell, and am careful about taking on something that is just too much. Hopefully i'll avoid that nasty pitfall

 

[zetec452]

I did edit as I thought I read it wrong at first. Oh well, you saw it all anyway.

If you developing a portfolio then just try and get a decent price, at the end of the say its better than not doing anything and your also getting a few notes in the bank.

 

[elkdanger]

I did edit as I thought I read it wrong at first. Oh well, you saw it all anyway.

If you developing a portfolio then just try and get a decent price, at the end of the say its better than not doing anything and your also getting a few notes in the bank.

Yeah that's what I was thinking. I just don't want to out-price myself and scare him off, or under-sell myself. Really I should just be thankful since the experience would be good to have.

Thanks for the advice so far

 

[z3b3dy]

Well given that you can find people offering to pay £5 per hour to starting out freelancers (and getting responses) you can see how open the market really is.

Remember being a freelancer you'll more than likely be expected to know exactly what you're talking about and there tends to be very little time for learning on the job. You have to take this into consideration when working out really how much experience you have and therefore the premium you can charge.

I still go with a gut feel of the company I'm going to work for and am prepared to drop my top-end price quite a bit if it's one I like. I still have a base price that I will not go below but given what I do and my experience that's quite high already.

 

[LazyManc]

It depends what the job requires...

You can obivously charge more if coding is needed; asp / asp.net / jsp / php etc?

If it's just front end, graphics, html, css, then the hourly rate isn't as high.

If it's both then £20 / hour is a good starting point.

 

[z3b3dy]

It depends what the job requires...

You can obivously charge more if coding is needed; asp / asp.net / jsp / php etc?

If it's just front end, graphics, html, css, then the hourly rate isn't as high.

If it's both then £20 / hour is a good starting point.

Out of interest would you say that frontend work is worth significantly less than 'coding' work? or only a small discount?

 

[Beansprout]

Out of interest would you say that frontend work is worth significantly less than 'coding' work? or only a small discount?

Significantly less, because HTML/CSS isn't programming - it's markup - so that's a lot less skill in my opinion.

 

[z3b3dy]

Significantly less, because HTML/CSS isn't programming - it's markup - so that's a lot less skill in my opinion.

I'm just interested in this purely on an off-topic issue! Would you rate it as a 50% discount or more in your opinion? I do both professionally for a living but would be interested in seeing what the opinion is on this!

The reason why I'm asking is I get paid more sometimes for my CSS work than I do for my PHP work and I like to think I'm not bad at either.

 

[Beansprout]

I'm just interested in this purely on an off-topic issue! Would you rate it as a 50% discount or more in your opinion? I do both professionally for a living but would be interested in seeing what the opinion is on this!

The reason why I'm asking is I get paid more sometimes for my CSS work than I do for my PHP work and I like to think I'm not bad at either.

Basic rates I charge 25% less for HTML/CSS work than PHP/MySQL work. I guess it depends what your main area is, how much demand there is for the different areas, and how complex the work is (that's a different kettle of fish though...some people say you should charge more/hr for complex jobs, I say you should charge the same/hr but factor in extra time....same end result I suppose.)

 

[z3b3dy]

Basic rates I charge 25% less for HTML/CSS work than PHP/MySQL work. I guess it depends what your main area is, how much demand there is for the different areas, and how complex the work is (that's a different kettle of fish though...some people say you should charge more/hr for complex jobs, I say you should charge the same/hr but factor in extra time....same end result I suppose.)

I also factor in time rather than complexity when giving quotes.

I charge the same whatever the work I'm doing, I suppose in the end it comes down to the clients you have and what they're able to pay. But my prices vary from client to client from a already minimum price. Some will get charged my normal amount others get charged 10 - 30% more. I call it complexity of the client pricing rather than the work.

 

[Mickey]

I charge the same whatever the work I'm doing

Thats exactly how to do it

Get a fixed hourly rate (mine varies per company) and whatever you do charge the same. Why should 'easier' jobs be charged at a different rate? They're still taking the same amount of my time.


Mick.

 

[Beansprout]

I call it complexity of the client pricing rather than the work.

Good one

Should probably do that. All schools get a markup of 25%, mainly to cover my phone bill because they can't talk to themselves before harassing me....

 

[z3b3dy]

Good one

Should probably do that. All schools get a markup of 25%, mainly to cover my phone bill because they can't talk to themselves before harassing me....

I do tend to do it by market, they all seem to act alike. I do have a special price though for a large international consulting firm it's £'whatever you offer I won't accept as I never wish to work with you again'.