Got my first bigger job. How much money can I ask?

[Patrick Hearn]

I’m working in the UK so rates may be wuite different. However, I charge daily rates at £150-250 (~$300-$500) depending. For a 3 day job I’d say quote them $1500.

If you want to charge hourly then a friend has suggested this system to me:
Surcharge per day: £90 (basically because even if you only do a couple of hours work for someone in a day it limits any other work you can get for that day so you have the surcharge to make it worth your while)
Hourly rate 8-6pm: £20
That gets you £250 for an 8 hour day
Overtime rates: I’m not sure, probably £40

This seems a little complicated to me, but it does mean that you do get compensated if you’re working at places that require anything other than 9-5. Also, the surcharge

I’m only just starting out freelancing myself, but these are the sort of rates I’ve been seeing.

In the uk the site itjobswatch.co.uk is useful for getting a ballpark figure, I expect there’s some kind of equivalant in the US.

I’d also be interested to see what people’s thoughts are on this, in the US and UK.

[Ron Coy]

I believe there are sites with info on how much to charge in your area based on the going rates there… obviously production charges in Hollywood are higher than in Akron, Ohio.

I’m in Houston, TX, which is one of the worst paying markets, and I’m charging $35 an hour. I could charge more depending on the client, but I currently freelance for one company and have a fulltime job with another which is salaried. The reason I don’t charge more for the freelance job is due to the relationship I have with the owner, and the nature of the work.

Many people here charge $50- $75 an hour, possibly more. That’s for a delivered, final product. My freelance work is support for the final product, so I do my pieces and give them to an editor. If I were to turnkey a project for a client, I would definitely charge more, as the cost of production would go up.

[Sakke Lehtinen]

Thanks for your replies. So I think I’m going to say them that it will be around $1000 – $1500 and that I know the correct ammount when the video is ready.

[Lou Borella]

Charge them $1 for the job and $10,000 for the changes!!!

Seriously
I work in the NY/NJ area and my rate for graphics is between $50-$60 an hour. If I knew the job was going to take about 3 days then I would easily quote them a $2000 estimate. That would pretty much cover 3 days of my time. Remember that your time is worth what other clients will pay you. Typical day rates in are about $500-$600 per day. If I am working at home and using my equipment then my rate would be higher. I would then work until it was done and bill extra for changes. There is always the “pain-in-the-ass” line item. Take it easy on them in the beginning and keep the apprised of the progress with screen caps and communication. If they make changes after the initial deliverable then make sure you charge them a full-day rate. If you don’t work changes into your quote they will take advantage of you every time.

Lou …