Freelance Work - How much to charge

[Sammie]

I have a question for you guys............I am currently begining to do some free-lance _ork for a newly budding company..........and I am the first Cad Tech he has had and the only one right now, and my question is, how do I charge?? by the hour, by the print, by the size of the project???? I will be mainly converting his hand drawings into Cad, and when those are done, I will be drawing his idea into Cad.........I hope this doesn't get moved, because I think more people will see it here, but seeing as it is the first time I have done any independent jobs, I have no idea how to charge. He has asked me to check around and see what is ussually done in this case, so here I am, at my most reliable source of Cad info :-D Help me out guys! I appreciate it!

[Wanderer]

I have a question for you guys............I am currently begining to do some free-lance _ork for a newly budding company..........and I am the first Cad Tech he has had and the only one right now, and my question is, how do I charge?? by the hour, by the print, by the size of the project???? I will be mainly converting his hand drawings into Cad, and when those are done, I will be drawing his idea into Cad.........I hope this doesn't get moved, because I think more people will see it here, but seeing as it is the first time I have done any independent jobs, I have no idea how to charge. He has asked me to check around and see what is ussually done in this case, so here I am, at my most reliable source of Cad info :-D Help me out guys! I appreciate it!Sam, this topic has been covered in the CAD Management forum, and I'd hate for a decent topic to get lost in the shuffle here.

[Sammie]

Sam, this topic has been covered in the CAD Management forum, and I'd hate for a decent topic to get lost in the shuffle here.

thanks ;-) it's a shame i never wander out of CWC :Oops:

[BrenBren]

Sam, this topic has been covered in the CAD Management forum, and I'd hate for a decent topic to get lost in the shuffle here.
Yep, I agree... Might also want to fix that title so it something a little more relevant... ;)

Believe it or not, more people read the regular forums that they do CWC.. it is really just a core group of crazies in here, I think :)

[Sammie]

Yep, I agree... Might also want to fix that title so it something a little more relevant... ;)

Believe it or not, more people read the regular forums that they do CWC.. it is really just a core group of crazies in here, I think :)

Thanks Brenda.......I can't think well this morning....which resulted in the poor choice of a thread title :-)

[BrenBren]

Thanks Brenda.......I can't think well this morning....which resulted in the poor choice of a thread title :-)
No problem...a moderators _ork is never done... want this moved to the CAD Management Forum?

[Sammie]

No problem...a moderators _ork is never done... want this moved to the CAD Management Forum?

Umm...sure, and maybe help in finding other similar threads?? thanks :-)

[Opie]

Sam, Here is another thread discussing that topic.

[Ammon]

No problem...a moderators _ork is never done... want this moved to the CAD Management Forum?I would like to see the answer as well. I do a little freelance my self and am never sure what to charge.

[BrenBren]

No problem...a moderators _ork is never done... want this moved to the CAD Management Forum?
Well, the similar threads feature works based on the title of the thread.. apparantly, my title isn't much better...

You can search the CAD Management forum as well...

[Sammie]

well, to specify a little bit more, the drawings will be mechanical, and will require a lot of detail information. I will be producing drawings that will then be sent to the manufacture to use to make the product, using the cad drrawing. My understanding is that I will be doing mostly '3 view' drawings, with the occasional 'exploded' drawing, and will be given about 1-3 drawings a week. from the work i have seen, I think it will take me approximately 2 to 3 hours per drawing because of the amount of detail and many parts in each drawing. and some drawings will probably take up to 5 hours including any changes that will need to be made. I was hoping to be able to charge by the drawing rather than the hour, as I will work on the drawings during the week as I have time, instead of doing the drawing all a once. I just wan to make sure I do not over or under charge. I look at this freelance job as more of an opportunity to open doors rather than an extra income (although extra money is nice also), because this job is in the field of my pursued degree (mechanical). sorry about the fancy talk. thanks to anyone who can help, or point me in the right direction. :-D

[Opie]

I have done some freelance work before. Mostly I charged by the job, being that the client wanted a lump sum price.

The amount you charge is a tough figure to decipher. You don't want to short change yourself, but don't want to lose the client either by overcharging. If you think the drawing would take x number of hours, multiply that by what you want to be paid by the hour to figure out what it will cost to do the work per drawing. If the client thinks you are too high he/she can always tell you no. What's the worst you could do, lose your free time.

[Brian Myers]

I have a question for you guys............I am currently begining to do some free-lance _ork for a newly budding company..........and I am the first Cad Tech he has had and the only one right now, and my question is, how do I charge?? by the hour, by the print, by the size of the project???? I will be mainly converting his hand drawings into Cad, and when those are done, I will be drawing his idea into Cad.........I hope this doesn't get moved, because I think more people will see it here, but seeing as it is the first time I have done any independent jobs, I have no idea how to charge. He has asked me to check around and see what is ussually done in this case, so here I am, at my most reliable source of Cad info :-D Help me out guys! I appreciate it!

The best answer is that you should charge by what makes you feel comfortable.

I'd suggest by the hour or a combination of by the hour and by the sheet. By the hour is usually fair (and what I'd use for his "new" ideas) but if you are simply redrawing sheets then "by the sheet" might work out better for all involved. By the Sheet will set a budget in advance for both you and your client for the older work. By the hour will keep you from giving your services away at too low of a charge for his "new ideas" which may take several revisions for him to "perfect". So figure a fair price for your needs and for your client as well.

[jaberwok]

Samantha. I do the same kind of work - mechanical, conversions, draw from sketches -and have always charged by the hour.

[Glenn Pope]

The way I figure out how much I'm going to charge is to take the rate I'm making now at my current job. Add in what my current job pays for health, vacation, retirement etc... Find out the hourly rate for all that combined. This would be my minimum I would charge. Then you know that your not making less then then your current job.

[Maverick91]

I have a question for you guys............I am currently begining to do some free-lance _ork for a newly budding company..........and I am the first Cad Tech he has had and the only one right now, and my question is, how do I charge?? by the hour, by the print, by the size of the project???? I will be mainly converting his hand drawings into Cad, and when those are done, I will be drawing his idea into Cad.........I hope this doesn't get moved, because I think more people will see it here, but seeing as it is the first time I have done any independent jobs, I have no idea how to charge. He has asked me to check around and see what is ussually done in this case, so here I am, at my most reliable source of Cad info :-D Help me out guys! I appreciate it!Samantha, I'd love to do just what you're doing to earn some extra cash. Would you give a synopsis of how this came about?

[Sammie]

Samantha, I'd love to do just what you're doing to earn some extra cash. Would you give a synopsis of how this came about?

actually, the gentleman who is the owner of this company approached me one day at work, as his wife works here also ((in a secretarial position)). He was aware that I was studying Mechanical Drafting/Engineering and that I know quite a bit about Cad, so he offered me the job to be the drafter for his company. He is willing to buy the software I suggest he should use, and I am free to either work at a computer at his office, or at my own home. And as everyone can use extra money, I said yes. I think it is a good opportunity to have the Mechanical drafting experience ((I have only drafted in civil)).....Im not sure whether I can put it on a resume or not?? But the experience is still worth it to me.

[Wanderer]

actually, the gentleman who is the owner of this company approached me one day at work, as his wife works here also ((in a secretarial position)). He was aware that I was studying Mechanical Drafting/Engineering and that I know quite a bit about Cad, so he offered me the job to be the drafter for his company. He is willing to buy the software I suggest he should use, and I am free to either work at a computer at his office, or at my own home. And as everyone can use extra money, I said yes. I think it is a good opportunity to have the Mechanical drafting experience ((I have only drafted in civil)).....Im not sure whether I can put it on a resume or not?? But the experience is still worth it to me.Of course you can put it on your resume. Whether you specify that company as an employer or just have an entry for Mechanical Contract Drafting would be up for debate perhaps.

Sounds like some good experience!

[Maverick91]

actually, the gentleman who is the owner of this company approached me one day at work, as his wife works here also ((in a secretarial position)). He was aware that I was studying Mechanical Drafting/Engineering and that I know quite a bit about Cad, so he offered me the job to be the drafter for his company. He is willing to buy the software I suggest he should use, and I am free to either work at a computer at his office, or at my own home. And as everyone can use extra money, I said yes. I think it is a good opportunity to have the Mechanical drafting experience ((I have only drafted in civil)).....Im not sure whether I can put it on a resume or not?? But the experience is still worth it to me.So it wasn't just your feminine wiles (which I lack)? ;-)

Yes, fill your resume. At your young career, the more you can put on your resume the better. How you list it is a different story.

It seems we're leaning away from the topic. Too much CWC....

[Brian Myers]

It seems we're leaning away from the topic. Too much CWC....[/size][/font]

Well, I'd counter it's still a professional discussion, even if it drifts a bit from the original topic, the real issue of "How do I handle my Professional Career/Path" is still being answered.

By all means put it on your Resume, it's great experience and solid Resume filler at this point in your career.

Also, back on topic, one of the hard parts I've found with doing side jobs is keeping motivated. At first they feel great, but after some time they just feel like work (which they are). Getting paid not only what you are worth, but an amount that keeps you motivated is important as well. So while gaining experience may be your biggest motivation currently, making money will keep that motivation strong after you've already gained some of that experience.

[Sammie]

thanks everyone! although i still dont know what to charge, i have a good direction to go in! I knew I could count on you all, without you, I am cad-friendless.... :-) hehe

[Sammie]

thanks again guys!! we agreed on how to charge, which was by the drawing, and depending on the size. and a seperate fee for any changes he wants later on. works out well, and seems very fair. :-) meanwhile, hubby has started freelancing himself, doing concrete work..... at $25/hr. its not bad ;-)

[SRBalliet]

A partner and I had a civil engineering drafting & design consulting firm for 5 years that we stopped in 2003. We charged $37/hour for the work (we had two seats of our own software). We doubled our growth every year and got up to $120,000 gross and thought there was no limit and was thinking about hiring another draftsman, then the bottom fell out for some reason, we don't know why.

Anyway, IMHO I think you should make 1 1/2 times per hour that you make on your regular job. If you think about it its over your regular 40 per week and the extra would help motivate you. The selling points to the firm needing the drafting are as follows:

No overhead!
No benefits!
No space requirements!

If you can get them the work on a timely manner there should be no complaints. Where I work now they charge $85/hour to their clients for my time. Thats over three times what they pay me to do the work (without beni's of course)!

Based on that, again IMHO, my firm could pay a drafting consultant $30-$40/hour for work done, charge their clients $85/hour and come out better than hiring a full time draftsman because of the no overhead, beni's, or space needs.

[Augi Doggie]

thanks everyone! although i still dont know what to charge, i have a good direction to go in! I knew I could count on you all, without you, I am cad-friendless.... :-) hehe

It's funny you posted this thread today, I was just approached today about doing some freelance work.
For someone with your experience the range around here is anywhere from $25 to $35 per hour.
Unless all of the drawings have almost the same amount of work involved you could get screwed in a per sheet deal. I would strongly suggest hourly and estimate hours per sheet for the client if they are concerned about budget.
That's my hunble opinion.

[ryanmcin]

I do the occasional freelance work with a fairly consistant set of clients and I have been able to secure some pretty solid fees. I started doing the work for $25 an hour about four years ago and now most of my projects are done on a lump sum basis. Generally my client tells me what they have budgeted to do the work on the project and we go from there. At this point I won't touch a project if it looks like I'll make less than $45 an hour. The lump sum method works great for me becuase in the end everyone is happy, my client knows that they won't end up over budget and I know that I'm going to walk away from the project with a nice fee. A good example is a project that I did a few months ago, I had one week to do an entire set of construction docs, I was able to turn it around over the weekend by putting in about 26 hours the fee that I was offered up front was $3400. If I had agreed to an hourly rate on that project I would have lost a lot of potential earnings. Anyhow to get back to the point I strongly sugguest working out a lump sum if you are familiar with the work and confidient in your abilities (accurate and quick).

[Mamma Jamma]

Unless all of the drawings have almost the same amount of work involved you could get screwed in a per sheet deal. I would strongly suggest hourly and estimate hours per sheet for the client if they are concerned about budget.


I agree - hourly is the way to go. You could agree with your client on a "not to exceed" figure for a set job, if they're really concerned. Don't sell yourself too low in the beginning, because if it works out, you could end up underpaid in the long run.

[blads]

must comments in this thread also apply here

[VirtualBuilding]

I charge what the industry charges. For extra drafting work, any field $35 per hour.
To hire someone contract from an agency that's what they would pay and that person only makes a portion of it, making them less "happy" as a temp employee.
For IT work it varies as well from $50 to $150, from regular HelpDesk to full Network implementation and Databases...

Little late, but maybe it will help someone ;)