Freelance Cad

[southpaw49]

I am going to be involved in doing some cad work at home was hoping someone would
know where I could get some info regarding how much to charge for my services. I have
15 yrs. cad exp. primarily in Autocad doing 2D work.

[Baghera]

$20/ hour is not unheard of , but it would depend on how involved your drawings will be.
You could also charge a lump sum by the job.

[michael.12445]

It also depends on where you are located. Here in the LA area, $20 / hr. would be sort of low, if you are working on your own.

Michael Evans
Togawa & Smith, Inc.

[jhohman]

Before I was working full time, I did alot of freelance work, if you have 15 years experience you should have a good grasp on the amount of time it will take to create a given drawing, I have charged $20/hr and I have charged $20 per sheet depending on the amount of detail needed in the drawings. I had one client that I initially charged $20/hr and found that I was loosing money because I could complete a drawing set in an hour (about 10 sheets), therefore we adjusted to $20 per sheet. But that was commercial racquetball court back walls, residential work I typically would charge by the square footage and require the homeowner (client) to pay for engineering and printing. Good luck!

[thomas.stright]

It also depends on where you are located. Here in the LA area, $20 / hr. would be sort of low, if you are working on your own.

Michael Evans
Togawa & Smith, Inc.
I agree, $20/hr is way low..

[Baghera]

Sorry guys.. What can I say EH!?

[Adam R.]

I have only charged by the hour on small additions. 95% of the time I charge by square footage.

[Robert.Hall]

Dont forget to charge for changes once the project is complete.
If they come back and want something different, then do not get in
the habit of doing any favors. Keep track of everything.

[RCA4697]

Dont forget to charge for changes once the project is complete.
If they come back and want something different, then do not get in
the habit of doing any favors. Keep track of everything.

how much would be a descent price for a square footage project? ( i mean how much do you charge per sq.ft.?)

[GreyHippo]

My company bills my time out at $45 per hour, we do mostly commercial work.

[SRBalliet]

This is almost the same question that was posted last week. Check out the thread titled

"Freelance Work - How much to charge"

[blads]

Regardless of what fee you decide to set, never underestimate the value of your work... If you don’t value your work who will?

[tsigler]

I live in the NE and usually charge $30/hour but also base my pricing on the degree of difficulty and number of times the client wants to change things.

[Baron Blades]

What would you suggest charging for 3D mechanical work? I'm in NC and am just getting started, doing some side jobs to fund the new baby. I've got 10+ yrs experience and work full time as a mechanical designer. I want to keep the jobs small, but want it to be profitable enough to be worth the time and effort. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[tc3dcad]

My company bills my time out at $45 per hour, we do mostly commercial work.

That is about in line! When I started NOBODY around my area would talk to me about this so I was on my own.

Recently attended AU and class on freelance work where we discussed that a good basis is to take what you make now and ADD IN the cost of insurance, sick days, holidays, estimated office expenses and divide out be the number of hours a year you work. Let me tell that you can get close to that 45 per hour and above real fast.

[Birdy]

I always go by the mantra:
"You're worth as much as they're willing to pay,
and as little as you're willing to settle for."

Ya gotta do the research and find out what the market will bear, and also what you need to make (pay bills, pay taxes, green fees, etc.) to live a decent life. This goes for being an employee of someone else, as well as a free agent.

Knowing what your employer bills you out at (or your industry in general charges) is a decent indication of what the market will bear. That may vary some from one industry to another, and also from one geographic region to the next.

That said, I'd guess anywhere from $30-60/hour should be obtainable. I'd be on the lower side for just drafting, and be on the higher end (mebbe even higher) if there's engineering or design involved.... and way higher if there's a chance of liability :)

[Birdy]

What would you suggest charging for 3D mechanical work? I'm in NC and am just getting started, doing some side jobs to fund the new baby. I've got 10+ yrs experience and work full time as a mechanical designer. I want to keep the jobs small, but want it to be profitable enough to be worth the time and effort. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Oh, yeah. Another BIG mistake is to reduce the rate you charge just because it's side work.
Don't sell yourself short figuring "it's just nites and an occasional weekend"

That's just MY opinion, of course. :)

[Baron Blades]

Oh, yeah. Another BIG mistake is to reduce the rate you charge just because it's side work.
Don't sell yourself short figuring "it's just nites and an occasional weekend"

That's just MY opinion, of course. :)

Thanks for the input Birdy. I'm just gleaning any wisdom I can from those who've been there before me. Any thoughts on how to address the cost of software, etc.? I have some old seats, but wouldn't want to invest in the latest and greatest unless the work was coming fast and furious. How do most folks do it?

[Birdy]

Any thoughts on how to address the cost of software, etc.? I have some old seats, but wouldn't want to invest in the latest and greatest unless the work was coming fast and furious. How do most folks do it?
To put it succinctly: buy it.
At any rate, you need to make sure it's legally licensed. Be very careful here. You definitely can't afford the risk of fines. *>READ THE EULA<* it can change with every release.

For initial purchase of software, that'd require start up capital. My opinion is avoid going in to debt for start up money.
For continuing cost of subscription, that's part of the cost of doing business and should be reflected in your rate. ($500.00 subscription adds ~24 cents/hour)

Don't quit your day job.
....until you're in a solid position to make that choice. :-)

[tlewald]

We get around $85/hr. around here, but it also depends on your client.

If you're going to be getting A LOT of work from these people, then you have to factor that in.

If it's a one-shot deal, then you might want to up the price a little.

Like you said, you have lots of experience and a baby, so any hour you spend on their project, better be damn worth the $$.

I also agree that there should be an hourly fee for "subscriptions" written into the contract somewhere - we also get about $35/hr. around here for "computer time".

Don't forget about tax write-offs though - they're your best friend as an LLC - the cost of subscription is the cost of doing business, which ='s deduction.

Wish you the best of luck with your business, but definitely dont quit your day job until you're making about the same amount on the side as you do now!

[tc3dcad]

The advice about the software that you have already recieved is the best. The only that I can add to that is that you need to have atleast one copy of the most recent software that you will be using and do not worry about the rest. In my case we have Revit Series on Subscription. Costly to upgrade to it but it has generated more jobs and a better bottom line. In 6 months we had made the cost back and some. On the other hand we have a seat of Inventor 5. Work comes and goes on that but not even often enough to justify the cost of upgrading it too! So in the great words of Master Yoda "choose wisely my young Padawan!"

[Baron Blades]

Thanks for the advice. The jobs I'm being offered are strictly for Inventor (which is my preference anyway) so that's the software I'd need. My dilemma is do I take the chance and purchase the software based on the current job offerings and take a chance that the work will dry up before the software is paid for, or do I just tell the client I'll either have to use their software or turn down the job? It'd be great if Autodesk offered some kind of deal for the little guy who can't afford to pay the same rates as large companies can. By the way, the job I will be quoting is to convert AutoCAD files into Inventor files. Any suggestions on pricing that out?
The advice about the software that you have already recieved is the best. The only that I can add to that is that you need to have atleast one copy of the most recent software that you will be using and do not worry about the rest. In my case we have Revit Series on Subscription. Costly to upgrade to it but it has generated more jobs and a better bottom line. In 6 months we had made the cost back and some. On the other hand we have a seat of Inventor 5. Work comes and goes on that but not even often enough to justify the cost of upgrading it too! So in the great words of Master Yoda "choose wisely my young Padawan!"

[jonathan.landeros]

Thanks for the advice. The jobs I'm being offered are strictly for Inventor (which is my preference anyway) so that's the software I'd need. My dilemma is do I take the chance and purchase the software based on the current job offerings and take a chance that the work will dry up before the software is paid for, or do I just tell the client I'll either have to use their software or turn down the job? It'd be great if Autodesk offered some kind of deal for the little guy who can't afford to pay the same rates as large companies can. By the way, the job I will be quoting is to convert AutoCAD files into Inventor files. Any suggestions on pricing that out?I think Autodesk has some options for leasing software, although I don't know at what point a lease makes sense versus buying the software.

[tc3dcad]

I think Autodesk has some options for leasing software, although I don't know at what point a lease makes sense versus buying the software.


Leasing is great for 3 months or less of use. However, from what I have found it would be cheaper to get the program if you are going past that time.

As for converting files to Inventor take the time that you would need for creating the files from scratch and add 150% min to the time. Also add 10% on that for items that will not show their ugly heads until you are knee deep in to the project.

[Baron Blades]

I think I'm in luck. The company that I've been bidding with wants to provide me with one of their workstations and a seat of their software to ensure compatibility and security. If I go forward with that, and all goes well, I'll be able to take the profits from that job to fund possible future endeavors without raiding the piggy bank. I've just been reluctant to invest in the software until I see if the business is out there and strong enough warrant the investment. Once again, I'd like that thank everyone for their advice. It's good to hear the thought's of the guys already in the pool before diving in myself.

[tc3dcad]

Glad to see that you found a paying contract there!

One last bit of advice as far as the IRS is concerned...... IF this company is providing you with a cpu and the software then you could be classifed as an employee of the firm if...... more than half of your income comes from them, they are your only client, and at the moment I can not remember the 3rd one. I found this out from the tax books so you should be able to look it up in that. I may be off slightly but it is just to let you know that you need to consider other things too!

[Baron Blades]

Thanks for the advice. I've already got an appointment with the accountant/tax guy to cover those issues and be sure I'm not digging myself a hole. Some folks have actually recommended doing an LLC, but prevailing wisdom is to hold off on that until this type of work becomes a more significant portion of my income. Any thoughts on that subject?
Glad to see that you found a paying contract there!

One last bit of advice as far as the IRS is concerned...... IF this company is providing you with a cpu and the software then you could be classifed as an employee of the firm if...... more than half of your income comes from them, they are your only client, and at the moment I can not remember the 3rd one. I found this out from the tax books so you should be able to look it up in that. I may be off slightly but it is just to let you know that you need to consider other things too!

[tc3dcad]

Thanks for the advice. I've already got an appointment with the accountant/tax guy to cover those issues and be sure I'm not digging myself a hole. Some folks have actually recommended doing an LLC, but prevailing wisdom is to hold off on that until this type of work becomes a more significant portion of my income. Any thoughts on that subject?

I am an LLC but I did wait to see if the work would continue. I also had the opportunity to work on some big jobs and this was to my advantage so I proceeded with it. As far as the accountant goes I need to find a good local person myself because all of these laws and stuff change daily. If you see the work is going to roll in steady, say 9months to a year from now then get the LLC or if you have the options to work on a huge job then go forward. Fill out the paperwork yourself it will save you a ton money and the forms are not difficult. Everyone around here want $600 for that and I took care of it for $135! Be mindful of the contracts you accept and always keep an eye out for the potential need of insurance. GL and E&O even though you are a contract designer!

PS - Read up on "179 elections" with IRS write-offs. You can buy technology, software, etc. and write it all off. Further you can charge items on a business card and write it off on this years taxes even though you are spreading out the pymnts.

PSS - I know that this seems like a rash compilation of thoughts but read it and ask plenty of questions! The only dumb question is the one that did not get asked!

[Baron Blades]

Again, thanks for the continuing advice. Every bit helps. Since you mentioned it, I assume that "GL" would be general liability, but what type of insurance is "E&O"? Also, do you pick that kind of thing up from the same type of insurance agent you'd get home owner's from or is that a more specialized type of thing? I'd recommend our accountants, but they're based here in Raleigh, and that wouldn't really help you down in SC. One other point of interest, since rates have been part of this discussion previously, I've been contacted with an offer for some work recently, that's offering $90 an hour. They want the models and all corresponding documentation, of course, but that seemed high compared to what we had discussed here. Any thoughts on that?




I am an LLC but I did wait to see if the work would continue. I also had the opportunity to work on some big jobs and this was to my advantage so I proceeded with it. As far as the accountant goes I need to find a good local person myself because all of these laws and stuff change daily. If you see the work is going to roll in steady, say 9months to a year from now then get the LLC or if you have the options to work on a huge job then go forward. Fill out the paperwork yourself it will save you a ton money and the forms are not difficult. Everyone around here want $600 for that and I took care of it for $135! Be mindful of the contracts you accept and always keep an eye out for the potential need of insurance. GL and E&O even though you are a contract designer!

PS - Read up on "179 elections" with IRS write-offs. You can buy technology, software, etc. and write it all off. Further you can charge items on a business card and write it off on this years taxes even though you are spreading out the pymnts.

PSS - I know that this seems like a rash compilation of thoughts but read it and ask plenty of questions! The only dumb question is the one that did not get asked!