Freelancers underestimate projects by 25–50% on average. Estimate the hours per phase, and we’ll build a quote that still pays you if it runs over.
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If the project actually takes…
Hours
Your effective rate
How to price a freelance project
Break the work into phases (discovery, first draft, build, testing, handover) and estimate hours for each. Add them up.
Add communication time. Calls, emails and status updates typically add 10–20% on top of the hands-on work.
Price revisions explicitly. Decide how many rounds are included and how long each takes.
Add a risk buffer. 15–30% is normal; use more for new clients, vague briefs or new kinds of work.
Take a deposit. 30–50% up front protects you from clients who disappear and filters out non-serious buyers.
Why fixed prices can pay more than hourly
With a fixed price, getting faster raises your effective hourly rate instead of lowering your invoice. Reusing templates, code or processes from earlier projects is how experienced freelancers earn well above their nominal rate.
Frequently asked questions
How much buffer should I add to a project quote?
15–30% is common. Use the low end for repeat clients and familiar work, and the high end for new clients, unclear briefs or anything you haven't done before.
Should I show my hourly rate in a fixed-price quote?
Usually not. Quote the outcome and the deliverables. Showing hours invites clients to negotiate line by line. Do state your hourly rate for out-of-scope changes.
How much deposit should a freelancer ask for?
30–50% is standard. For long projects, split the rest into milestone payments rather than one final invoice.
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