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I used to think charging hourly was the only fair way, but a client's comment made me rethink my whole pricing model.
For years, I billed every single project by the hour, thinking it kept things honest. Then, a client for a website redesign asked me for a flat project fee instead. I gave them a quote, around $4,500, and they said, 'Great, now I know my exact cost and you're rewarded for working fast.' That hit me. I was actually punishing myself for getting better and faster. I'd finish a logo in two hours but only bill for that time, even though the value to the client was the same as if it took me five. I'm now trying to switch to value-based pricing, but it's scary to leave that hourly safety net. Has anyone else made this switch and how did you figure out what to charge?
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colegarcia2d ago
Yeah, that hourly safety net is hard to let go of. I started by looking at my old hourly rate and figuring out how long a project should take me now, then adding a buffer for changes. So if a site used to take 30 hours at $100, I'd quote maybe $3,500 flat. It feels weird at first but clients really do prefer the certainty.
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sean482d ago
Man, that client was spot on. I got stuck in the hourly trap for YEARS doing freelance writing. I'd rush to finish a blog post in an hour because I knew the topic well, then feel weird billing for my actual speed. Switching to a flat rate per article changed everything. It was terrifying at first, like jumping off a cliff. I just looked at what other writers charged for similar work and added a bit because I knew I was reliable. The peace of mind for the client is huge, they love knowing the number won't change.
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