TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Misc Contracting Tip About Pricing From:Robin Griebel <rgriebel -at- IS -dot- ALLTEL -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 29 Nov 1995 13:38:10 -0600
With the recent thread on contracting, I can't help but offer a tip I once
heard from a professional contractor. He said that if you ever accept a
contract project that offers a lump sum which will undercut your standard
hourly rate, don't reduce your rate for the project but throw in the extra
hours free.
For example, if a customer wants to pay you $200 for a project that will
take you 10 hours and you want to do the project even though your hourly
rate is $40/hr, in the final accounting, charge them for only 5 hours and
show them that they received 5 hours free of charge instead of lowering your
rate to $20/hr.
This way, you're not undervaluing yourself, but are instead giving them a
bargain. Obviously, contractors would probably only do this to get
experience, especially if they're new to contracting. But if you're ever in
this situation, this tip might be worth remembering.
