How much should you charge?
Five numbers. One fair hourly rate.
Questions
How much should I charge as a freelancer?
Add your business costs to the income you want, then divide by the hours you can actually bill in a year. Not the hours you work: leave room for admin, sales and calls. That’s your baseline rate.
Should I charge hourly or per project?
Use an hourly rate to find your number, then quote per project when you can. Clients prefer a total, and hourly billing punishes you for getting faster. Multiply your rate by an honest estimate, add a buffer for revisions, and quote that.
Why does my calculated rate feel too high?
Your billable hours are probably optimistic. Count the time proposals, invoicing, marketing and calls really take. If it still feels high, your old rate was likely too low.
Do I need to charge more for revisions and scope changes?
Yes. Include 1 or 2 revision rounds in the price, and charge for anything beyond that, in writing, before you start. It’s the most common way freelancers end up working for free.