I’m surprised no one has said anything. Most of my consulting freelance work has been in the staff augmentation or subcontracting capacity, so it has varied between 95-140/hr.
project based pricing is a good call. going to an hourly rate, especially charging $300 and $400 an hour is not something you will be able to easily advertise when there are devs that can do $30-50 an hour. never say your rate is $300-$400 an hour unless you don’t really want the work. but you can charge $300-$400 an hour if you charge by the project.
The confusion I faced as a developer was going through several pricing videos and articles on the net that were from the point of view of a Graphic Designer or a Web Designer. But, this is the first video I've come across that is based on charging as a developer. This is exactly what I needed. Thanks a lot Tim! ✌🏻
That is the single most valuable, concise, and highly applicable video you have produced in the non-coding space Tim - excellent! Thank you for your advice, and for sharing your knowledge and your experience.
Great advice on getting a very precise scope when charging by the project. I've yet to do a project where the customer doesn't start introducing 'scope creep'.. What I always do with them is ask them to start creating a 'new or changed' features list for the 'next release'. I do this no matter how small the request is otherwise I would start having to debate with them how much work the change will be. Of course they always assume it's just 2 minutes. This is especially important if you have deadlines to meet. I will also warn them about that if they keep pushing with scope creep. Having decades of project experience I've yet to have a client who could see far enough ahead, or understand the kind of detail that's necessary for their own project. I end up having to write the scope of work for them after generating a RFI to give them. It gets tricky because I charge for creating the scope for them. When they refuse to help me in this area. I either shift to working the project by the hour, or kindly refuse the project. Also remember if you're working in the US and you are your own contractor( consultant ), and you're charging by the hour that you're going to pay out close to 50% of your hourly earnings in tax and Social security even after any and all things you can use for write offs working in your home. If you're charging $25 per hour for example you're only going to be able to keep $12-$13 of it.
Had a good friend once try to con me into doing some programming work for free despite knowing exactly how much the work would cost if they hired a "real" developer (I had just hit intermediate levels as a Python programmer at the time). I had to politely decline, as they were trying to dangle "Possibility of more work" without "Possibility of actually getting paid"
My tip: save capital for legal fees, as a single dev they know you can't pay them. Sad but true, the reason for my first bankruptcy. I hope to prevent the same situation for you guys.😂
C'mon, you said that project based >> hour based but on industry standard I only hear x per hour, y per hour, etc per hour... I think that you should provide examples like: web with x feaures, x euros; service with that feaures, etc; desktop app.. or something like this
This was great! I'd love to see you do more videos on other topics related to how to be successful as a freelancer. I recently made the switch over to consulting after having been a FTE for the last 9 years.
Very good points mate. Maybe we can add more on the business side. You are a business therefore you need to think which niche you should be or not be in and when it’s time to change niche market. Too much competition not enough demand? Don’t work for low rate, skill up rate up and do the smart thing.
Hello, I want to ask you what is the best road map for learning machine learning and are your videos enough to become I hope you make a video about this
Got a question for you: When determining the amount of value, have you found clients being cagey or not forthcoming on the amount of value? I imagine the business knows where the line of questioning is going and is incentivized to keep costs low and underestimate the actual long term value.
thats a great question and i would like to add to the question, would it be possible to propose pricing models that are based on the project's success, such as profit-sharing or performance-based bonuses and is it a good idea? how would i actually set the terms to such an agreement?
@@asimmoideen5960 I’ve definitely heard of that approach too. That puts skin in the game for both parties and incentivizes the maintenance and successful launch of the product
I'm usually transparent and will share that with the client. This is extremely situational so it's hard to give a definitive answer. When the client already sees the value I don't need to share it but if I was in a position where I needed to sell my services I would try to frame my sale based on ROI.
Thanks for this video. You've provided a lot to think about. I have a question: How do you determine the amount of value the company is getting from your work?
That's cool Tim but the main problem is getting the gig which is why many slash prices , also demanding to get clients who pay everything upfront without knowing you'll get the job done the way they want ? is this a guide of how not to get clients?
I’m in Las Vegas software dev, I’m scared to charge in the thousands bc I’m new to working with clients and fulfilling orders (3 months) but I’m starting at $500 & $800
Why are you scared? The worst that can happen is someone can say no. Give it a shot with what you consider to be a less important client and the results may surprise you.
very good video and your tips are very useful and informative. I would like you to give me some instructions on how someone starts working as a freelancer? how can he present himself, and on which platforms could he do it if he wants to work remotely?
I only use them for simple agreements and only after I've already had similar ones made by lawyers. That way I can audit the agreement myself and compare it to previous ones.
yeah thanks for this, i could use some of the advices you mentioned. Only one thing, you mentioned that you did some assignments for students. Now, isn't that considered unethical?
Hi Tim i am a web developer from kenya with two years of experience. I have been following you for more than a year can you help me get a junior developer job please
Social media, and some tech forums are good places to give a try, I've got couple of small projects on those places, if you are not targeting big businesses. Plus, I found it is much simpler to get a client, that are seeking programmers talented at specific domains, like GIS, or GUI design for industrial apps(specifically C#), these jobs have much less competition compared to web dev, frontend and backend whatsoever.
i just got my degree in computer science, does it worth it to stay in the field of software development or do i just need to move on and learn another skill, because i saw many developers who said that GPT will replace programmers, when i tried GPT-4 it really made me scare, it may not be ready yet to replace us but what about GPT-5, will there still be such a thing as freelancing in the field of programming?
How much do you charge for freelance work?
I’m surprised no one has said anything. Most of my consulting freelance work has been in the staff augmentation or subcontracting capacity, so it has varied between 95-140/hr.
@TechWithTim What is the best marketplace to get High Paying Clients.
project based pricing is a good call. going to an hourly rate, especially charging $300 and $400 an hour is not something you will be able to easily advertise when there are devs that can do $30-50 an hour. never say your rate is $300-$400 an hour unless you don’t really want the work. but you can charge $300-$400 an hour if you charge by the project.
The confusion I faced as a developer was going through several pricing videos and articles on the net that were from the point of view of a Graphic Designer or a Web Designer.
But, this is the first video I've come across that is based on charging as a developer. This is exactly what I needed. Thanks a lot Tim! ✌🏻
Oh my god thank you for this content! I not only want to learn more, but have been teaching my friends this info too. Thank you for sharing!
That is the single most valuable, concise, and highly applicable video you have produced in the non-coding space Tim - excellent! Thank you for your advice, and for sharing your knowledge and your experience.
This video is an absolute GOLDMINE of information for devs. Thank you so much!
Glad it was helpful!
Great advice on getting a very precise scope when charging by the project.
I've yet to do a project where the customer doesn't start introducing 'scope creep'.. What I always do with them is ask them to start creating a 'new or changed' features list for the 'next release'. I do this no matter how small the request is otherwise I would start having to debate with them how much work the change will be. Of course they always assume it's just 2 minutes. This is especially important if you have deadlines to meet. I will also warn them about that if they keep pushing with scope creep.
Having decades of project experience I've yet to have a client who could see far enough ahead, or understand the kind of detail that's necessary for their own project. I end up having to write the scope of work for them after generating a RFI to give them. It gets tricky because I charge for creating the scope for them. When they refuse to help me in this area. I either shift to working the project by the hour, or kindly refuse the project.
Also remember if you're working in the US and you are your own contractor( consultant ), and you're charging by the hour that you're going to pay out close to 50% of your hourly earnings in tax and Social security even after any and all things you can use for write offs working in your home. If you're charging $25 per hour for example you're only going to be able to keep $12-$13 of it.
Thank you Tim, you really gave me many good advices, on Python, and also on business now, you always appears whenever I need.
@tech with tim, i respect what your doing, i like how you explain things into finer details and how you tackle problems,your lethal 🎉
Had a good friend once try to con me into doing some programming work for free despite knowing exactly how much the work would cost if they hired a "real" developer (I had just hit intermediate levels as a Python programmer at the time). I had to politely decline, as they were trying to dangle "Possibility of more work" without "Possibility of actually getting paid"
That was very helpful. I've been debating whether getting paid on an hourly basis or per project would be better, this video cleared things out..
My tip: save capital for legal fees, as a single dev they know you can't pay them. Sad but true, the reason for my first bankruptcy. I hope to prevent the same situation for you guys.😂
omg sorry, what happened?
Good Video. Lots of people have no idea how much value their work provide and they need to take their share.
C'mon, you said that project based >> hour based but on industry standard I only hear x per hour, y per hour, etc per hour... I think that you should provide examples like: web with x feaures, x euros; service with that feaures, etc; desktop app.. or something like this
amazing content as always. this video specially was much needed, you're real one mate.
This was great! I'd love to see you do more videos on other topics related to how to be successful as a freelancer. I recently made the switch over to consulting after having been a FTE for the last 9 years.
Bro I am experienced in open source even with couple thousand star repo but I can't get clients pls make a video on how to get ur first client
Very good points mate. Maybe we can add more on the business side. You are a business therefore you need to think which niche you should be or not be in and when it’s time to change niche market. Too much competition not enough demand? Don’t work for low rate, skill up rate up and do the smart thing.
Hello, I want to ask you what is the best road map for learning machine learning and are your videos enough to become I hope you make a video about this
The timing of this video, been thinking about this lately
Thanks T-dog. This is very helpful information.
Great vid, great info. Thanks!
Got a question for you: When determining the amount of value, have you found clients being cagey or not forthcoming on the amount of value? I imagine the business knows where the line of questioning is going and is incentivized to keep costs low and underestimate the actual long term value.
thats a great question and i would like to add to the question, would it be possible to propose pricing models that are based on the project's success, such as profit-sharing or performance-based bonuses and is it a good idea? how would i actually set the terms to such an agreement?
@@asimmoideen5960 I’ve definitely heard of that approach too. That puts skin in the game for both parties and incentivizes the maintenance and successful launch of the product
I'm usually transparent and will share that with the client. This is extremely situational so it's hard to give a definitive answer. When the client already sees the value I don't need to share it but if I was in a position where I needed to sell my services I would try to frame my sale based on ROI.
Thanks for this video. You've provided a lot to think about. I have a question: How do you determine the amount of value the company is getting from your work?
thank you so much for this video Tim! recently I want to have side hustle in fiverr or upwork but I don't know how much should I charge
Great video thanks
Great video
thx
That's cool Tim but the main problem is getting the gig which is why many slash prices , also demanding to get clients who pay everything upfront without knowing you'll get the job done the way they want ? is this a guide of how not to get clients?
I’m in Las Vegas software dev, I’m scared to charge in the thousands bc I’m new to working with clients and fulfilling orders (3 months) but I’m starting at $500 & $800
Why are you scared? The worst that can happen is someone can say no. Give it a shot with what you consider to be a less important client and the results may surprise you.
You rock!
very good video and your tips are very useful and informative. I would like you to give me some instructions on how someone starts working as a freelancer? how can he present himself, and on which platforms could he do it if he wants to work remotely?
Thank you
How do I find the potential clients who would pay me this money?
You need to have some kind of internet presence and reputation.
Tim, I got a question. Normally, after you complete a certain project for a client, do you also handle deploying their project for them?
Hey Tim, great video. With all of these new AI tools is there one you would trust to create the legal agreement, statement of work, etc.?
I only use them for simple agreements and only after I've already had similar ones made by lawyers. That way I can audit the agreement myself and compare it to previous ones.
yeah thanks for this, i could use some of the advices you mentioned.
Only one thing, you mentioned that you did some assignments for students. Now, isn't that considered unethical?
Hi Tim i am a web developer from kenya with two years of experience. I have been following you for more than a year can you help me get a junior developer job please
I'd say try to find the Kenyan prince and build him a website that he can link to in his emails.
Okay i will.Thank you
am watching your rust tuto it's just awsome , when will continue it or it's just died there ? please answer me
It’s unlikely I will continue it; I’m sorry
can you make a video about how find client? i have started using freelancer platform but how can i find client OUT these platforms?
Social media, and some tech forums are good places to give a try, I've got couple of small projects on those places, if you are not targeting big businesses. Plus, I found it is much simpler to get a client, that are seeking programmers talented at specific domains, like GIS, or GUI design for industrial apps(specifically C#), these jobs have much less competition compared to web dev, frontend and backend whatsoever.
Hi Tim, is there any HTML tutorial by you
Do you recommend a legal agency for drafting legal agreements?
i just got my degree in computer science, does it worth it to stay in the field of software development or do i just need to move on and learn another skill, because i saw many developers who said that GPT will replace programmers, when i tried GPT-4 it really made me scare, it may not be ready yet to replace us but what about GPT-5, will there still be such a thing as freelancing in the field of programming?
First like! And first comment??
Masha'Allah
too late for web design and seo, AI is an easy solution now...
first😁😁
*Also don't forget to "SET UP AS A BUSINESS" legally with your countries government agencies* 😊👍