I'm looking for some insight on how to approach a situation I've been dealing with. For over ten years, I've been providing free tech support and network administration for a small church in central Pennsylvania. The church has around 40-50 active members and a handful of staff, including a full-time pastor and a part-time secretary. Most of my work there has been reactive, especially with one staff member who struggles with technology. Now, they're asking for upgrades like Wi-Fi in the sanctuary, and I've started to feel overwhelmed.
I've decided that I will offer my help for free until the end of March and compile documentation about the systems they use, including logins and configurations. However, after that, I think they either need to pay me an hourly rate or find someone else. I want to take this step without causing too much disruption, especially since my wife is back on the church board.
I'm looking for advice on what reasonable hourly rate to propose that won't scare them off but is also fair given my responsibilities, which include managing their Google Workspace, domain registration, network systems, and user support. Any thoughts on what would be appropriate?
5 Answers
You mentioned wanting to make the transition easy for your wife. If that’s your goal, maybe consider suggesting a rate that's a bit above average but not outrageous—perhaps $100 per hour. This way, it doesn't come off as too aggressive but still acknowledges the work you’re putting in. You could also use this as a way to highlight the need for professional help, allowing for a smoother exit.
Considering the context, I think suggesting around $150 per hour could be reasonable. You should also check local IT service rates so your proposal aligns with what others charge for similar services. However, given that it's a church and they're pretty small, that might be on the higher side of what they can handle, so you could adjust as needed after assessing their budget.
I agree with you about the rate. $150 might be steep for them, especially since churches often have tight budgets. Maybe consider their capacity to pay first.
Given inflation and the tech skills needed, anything from $100 to $175 seems fair. That said, I’d tread lightly since you’ve been doing this for so long for free. It’s nice that you're trying to help them find someone competent to take your place too; that shows you care. They might respect that if you frame it as helping find a professional service.
It might help to frame the conversation around how your expertise can benefit them, especially since you’re already planning to compile documentation for the new person. If that’s the case, proposing a rate of $150 would be understandable under these circumstances, but you need to be ready for pushback.
Honestly, working with churches can be tricky. If you're feeling burnt out, you could suggest a limit on your availability or establish a flat fee for certain tasks rather than hourly. That could make it easier to step back while still providing support. Alternatively, you might propose $175 an hour to cover the complexity of what you do, especially if they need extensive support.
A flat fee option sounds like a good idea. It sets clear expectations for both sides without the need for constant negotiations.
Agreed, just make sure it’s reasonable based on your area's standard rates. That way, they're less likely to argue about it.