Companies tend to internally budget using hourly rates and time cards, so I can’t see how charging an hourly rate like most consultancies and professions, such

Companies tend to internally budget using hourly rates and time cards, so I can’t see how charging an hourly rate like most consultancies and professions, such as law, would not sit well with client companies. Also, charging a fixed price makes you very vulnerable to having to absorb additional costs if the project takes longer than anticipated. An hourly rate removes this risk as you amortise your costs into your hourly rate. As an individual going up against an entire company you want to protect yourself as best you can, charging by the hour helps ensure that. Also make sure you get yourself liability insurance.