I'm sure someone has posted a similar thread but I haven't ran across anything that has specifically answered my question.
How do you determine how many hours it will take you to do a specific project. I know as I become more experienced, I'll be able to bid out jobs more accurately. But as I beginner, when I give a proposal charging the hourly rate, how do I determine the amount of hours it is going to take me to complete a project? In your contracts do you include the exact amount that will be due? I prefer to have my clients pay me 50% up front therefore I need to have a total.
I also offer retainers. I think initially that will work better for me but I still want the hourly rate to be an option.
Thanks so much for your help in advance!
I guess that really depends on what the work is Dawn. If it's data entry for example, find out what fields are required and do some tests on how long it takes you to do a few lines. Same with typing, it would be good to know how many pages you can do in an hour - unformatted and/or without tables, graphics, etc being included.
It does take time but you will work it out so spend some time developing your own projects and check your timing with those.
I agree with Kathie - if you're going to go this route with your invoicing, etc. then start practicing some 'sample projects' to see how long it takes you.
I generally avoid the whole issue and bill straight hourly with a deposit of a specific amount taken against all new client accounts for X months of regularly paid invoices.
For the few things that I do invoice on a per-project basis I've done them often enough to know what's fair for billing.
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