How do Freelancers Determine Their Coding Rates?

Always price hourly, and when you're starting out, a good rule is to double what you made in your last job. If you're struggling to find work, consider lowering your rate, but if you're overloaded, it’s time to increase it a bit.

For me, I charge based on complexity rather than just the hours. I analyze what I'm comfortable earning per month and see how many projects I can realistically handle. You can also add extra charges for additional requests from clients. It's definitely a balance you have to find!

It’s crucial to communicate with clients about the estimate. I usually let them know if the final cost may be higher if changes come up during the project. Setting clear boundaries about what's included in the scope can prevent a lot of headaches later on.

A good method I use is taking my full-time salary, dividing it by 1,000 to come up with my hourly rate. I typically set a minimum project duration of 40 hours, and I also offer ongoing support contracts afterwards. Just be cautious when working with friends; it can complicate the relationship if money gets involved.

When I freelanced, I mostly charged by the hour and made sure to provide realistic estimates beforehand. I priced based on what my skills were worth; I wouldn’t even consider anything below $100 an hour because my time is valuable. It's also worth noting that I usually finished projects ahead of schedule, but I never went over the estimate, which kept clients happy.