[RaelRode]

OK so I am pondering opening a design site. But I dont know what to charge, so I came here looking for help. What do you charge?? I know that other people charge more because they are better yada yada yada and I know that so I will alter it to suit me and my capabilities. Thanks guys.

Also, what do you think of the name Pearl Flame??? Sound ok?? or sound gay??

Thanks again.

[pgo]

No one can tell you what your rate is. It's based on age, experience, skills, cost of living, etc.

Sounds gay.

[jase1000]

Pearl Flame...

Is that your porn name?

[b v]

Flaming.

[RaelRode]

Originally Posted by jase1000

Pearl Flame...

Is that your porn name?

No my porn name is Long big and Thick, actually.

[Paul]

bit of a gayhawk name if you ask me. too hard to say what to charge. maybe you could show is your portfolio and from there ppl could maybe suggest what to charge based on your work

[pedge]

From a previous post:

Best way to work out your hourly rate is as follows:

Monthly overheads - thats rent, rates, finance (if you have it), utility bills etc and wages
x
12 (Months)
+
Hardware/software purchase/upgrade allowance
÷
50 (weeks) - you want 2 weeks off, if more then reduce this amount
÷
5 (days)
÷
Number of workable hours in a day (i.e. 5 or (if you're lazy) 3 etc)
=
Hourly rate - add a tenner and a % markup (say 10% or 30%) for profit & bargaining.

So, depending on your overheads, it may work out as this:

£1500.00 (Overheads) + £1500.00 (wages) = £3,000.00
x
12 (months) = £36,000
+
£2,000 (upgrades etc) = £38,000
÷
50 (weeks) = £760.00 per week
÷
5 (days) = £152.00 per day
÷
5 (hours) = £30.40 per hour
+
£10 (profit) = £40.40 per hour
+
30% (profit/bargaining) = £52.52 per hour

That means you should, in reality, charge at least £52.52 per hour - if your overheads are lower/you want a smaller wage (yeah, right) then you could charge lower.

The bargaining % is just that - it lets you drop your rate if you really want to get the job but you must remember that you should really charge no *less than* £40.40 if you're going to make money. Thats what you're in business for - not just to make things look pretty but to make money. Go lower than £40.40 and you start working for nothing.

Quite often larger business will still be put off by higher hourly rates, "£50 per hour? I can get someone else to do it for £30!" - fine, tell them your rate is £30, but at least *double* the time it will take to make up for it.

That way, they're happier that they've got a good deal and you can still feed your family/drink/drug habit.

The whole thread is here...

Your hourly rate