Project Payment Advice

[zfred09]

Hello,
I am starting a project soon (this will be my first project with a paying client) and was wondering what usually works the best for payment rates, should I use a set amount say $1,500 or should I ask to be paid by the hour? Just looking for some advice, and add anything else if you have other advice. Thanks.

[gnomeontherun]

Just FYI, there is a section for these kinds of questions under Web Projects called Career Job Advice or something, but I'll give you my thoughts!

Depending on the client, I will either provide an estimate or work by the hour. I like by the hour for the time being, because I'm not doing this full time. However, since this is your first project by the hour may cost them more if you are spending a lot of time learning. I'd suggest sitting down and thinking about how long it would take you to do each part of the site under best circumstances, and then multiply that number by 2.5 or 3. That is a good estimate of the time, because everything takes longer! But the main part is to not cheat the client nor yourself. If your client understands you need to spend time researching, then include that. Then I set an hourly rate to find my estimate. I may adjust that based on other circumstances, such as is the work I'm doing a specialty (perhaps Flex development verses HTML pages). Since you are just starting to charge, do what you feel most comfortable with but if possible do it hourly until you establish yourself and know exactly how long it takes to do things.

[zfred09]

Yeah, didn't see that section, whoops. Anyways great advice, that was kinda along the lines I was thinking of doing, breaking the parts down and estimating the hours and then estimating a charge from there. Thanks.