Hi All,

Hoping you can all provide me with some advice on how to respond to a client.

I have been asked by a new client to create Power Point templates - they are a new business and need templates for PPP and Word. Which is great I love creating templates.

I have sent him my contract outlining my rates and policies etc which outlined that I charge him at X amount per hour.

To this he has responded "happy to go ahead, however I have vowed never to engage a tradesmen on a hourly rate, but only on a fixed rate basis. Could you please revise and provide a fix rate figure".

I was just wondering what to do? I only really charge on a per hour basis.

However, I am hesitant to pass up this job as it could lead to more referrals, not to mention he contacted me via a mutual friend (so I don't want to make that person look bad).

But I am not sure how to respond? Do I just take the hit and provide him with a fixed rate for this project or do I just sorry I only work per hour and if you aren't happy I can't really help you (obviously worded nicer than that).

Thanks
Nicole

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Little Miss Useful
www.littlemissuseful.com

I would phrase a response to the effect of "While I understand your hesitancy in per hour tradesman, my rates are professional based upon an hourly rate. Typically, the type of project you are requesting takes (whatever it takes you) so you would be able to consider that each template will break down to (approximately). However, there are lots of variables and some may take longer than others. If it looks like a specific project will take longer I will discuss with you ahead of time."

You're not a carpenter or a plumber type tradesman, you're a professional.

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Cheryl O'Neil
Southern Orange County

Hi Cheryl

Thanks so much for your reply, it was very useful. I ended up going back to him saying that I understood his hesitation, however I am a professional and my rates represent this fact. I also told him that I use time-tracking software which gives him some transparency in the work I do which will give him some peace of mind.

Thanks for your help :-).

Cheers
Nicole

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Little Miss Useful
www.littlemissuseful.com

Great response, I hope he's agreeable to it.

I'm glad it was helpful.

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Cheryl O'Neil
Southern Orange County