Flat rate vs. hourly for a 3 month project I just wrapped up

I had to choose between a flat $4,000 fee or $45 an hour for a website update job that ended up taking me 90 hours. I went with hourly because I was scared of scope creep, and the client added three extra revisions along the way. Has anyone else picked flat rate and actually come out ahead on a long project like this?

3 comments

3 Comments

barbaradavis11d ago

But doesn't it depend on how well you can lock down the project scope from the start? I've done flat rate for a few 2-3 month projects and came out ahead every time, but only because I was super specific in the contract about what was included. @milalewis has a good point about those sneaky tweaks, but I think the key is building in a buffer and saying no to free extras. If you know the client well and can be firm about boundaries, flat rate lets you work faster without watching the clock. I'd still pick flat rate for my favorite clients because it feels less stressful to me, but I get why most people here prefer hourly for safety.

milalewis11d ago

Take the flat rate only if you know the job inside out before you start. I did flat rate for a three month project once, got burned because the client kept asking for "small tweaks" that added up to an extra 40 hours. Hourly protects you from that, plain and simple. The math here shows you made $40 an hour with flat rate but $45 hourly, so you came out ahead even without the extra revisions. Scope creep is a silent killer on flat fees, especially for longer projects where clients change their minds weekly. You made the right call going hourly, don't second guess it.

torres.riley11d ago

Nah, flat rate is a trap. @milalewis said it best - those "small tweaks" kill you on longer projects. You made $45 an hour plus extra for the revisions. Flat rate would've paid less and left you stressed. Hourly all the way for anything over a month.