7 ms·

Ask HN: Standard freelance web development rates

49 points by kiraken 12y ago

I've been a freelance web developer for a while now, just something i do alongside college to help myself out. I've been getting work through freelancer all this time which i noticed is way too cheap comparing to the real thing. I was getting ready for a while now to start an online portfolio and start getting work through it, but i have no idea how much web developers usually charge, and no idea either where to get clients. So any help is appreciated I create: -Website templates -E-commerce websites -Wordpress/Joomla themes -Some SEO from time to time -Adding responsiveness to websites -Website designs -Dynamic websites If any experienced web developer could tell me how much they usually charge for any of those services i'd be very grateful

icpmacdo 12y ago
To add to this I would be interested in know what the standard rate is for remote backend development, I know PHP and Node. Also is there much work online for hybrid app development? That's what I have the most experience with.
IpV8 12y ago
I charge whatever I can get! Rates also have to do with where you are, who you know, reputation, and what other offers you have on the table. That being said, here is what I would estimate each at: -Website templates I buy all of mine from themeforest for like $30. I don't see why anyone would do otherwise unless they needed something really custom. I don't like designing website templates, so I would charge $200/hr (a.k.a. I'll never do this) -E-commerce websites $75/hr -Wordpress/Joomla themes Again buy themes from themeforest cheap. Wordpress site maintenance and installation seems to go for $20-$50/hr around here. -Some SEO from time to time Experts will charge as much as $100/hr, basic stuff like putting meta tags in or running a google ads campaign could go as low as $20/hr -Adding responsiveness to websites Nowadays this often means starting from scratch. I try to quote for the whole project on something like this, but to give you an idea I would say around $40 an hour (give or take 20) -Website designs Same as above. ~$40 -Dynamic websites I'm assuming this means webapp? I charge around $85/hr for webapps. Usually using angular. I also have started putting the webapps through cordova/phonegap, which is an easy upsell. And to icpmacdo's point: -remote backend development Same as webapps, around $85/hr seems to be the magic number. This is VERY dependant on who you know and where they are located. Note: All of my rates may seem high for people who find projects online, not in person. They may seem low for experts in their given field. Also, I find the larger the company, the higher the rate. For backend work you could probably get double that if you are an expert in large corporation java work.
- mathgeek 12y ago
  " so I would charge $200/hr (a.k.a. I'll never do this) " Just to emphasize how much rates can vary for many reasons, $200/hr was my base rate when I freelanced circa 2012.
  - pan69 12y ago
    Doing "what" located "where"? An hourly rate is totally subjective to what you do and where you do it.
    - mathgeek 12y ago
      Standard freelance development, as that's what was requested in the OP. All located in the US.
- BlakePetersen 12y ago
  Can you provide information as to where you are located? These rates seem pretty low IMO, and you speak to location being an important variable, it would be helpful to know what region you're referencing.
  - IpV8 12y ago
    I am in New England (USA). These rates are a reflection of what I've seen companies are willing to pay, not necessarily what I'll accept. For example, I have not found an effective way to get more than about $40/hr for Wordpress maintenance, so I have shifted to more backend and webapp work. Also, these rates are more of an average. Depending on the length, stability, and enjoyability of the project, I may be willing to work for more or less money.
    - Jhsto 12y ago
      Where do you find work?
      - 12y ago
pauletienney 12y ago
I work in Paris, France. I charge 500 € / day for web dev. I charge 600 € / day for consulting.
- ritonlajoie 12y ago
  Hi ! I am also in Paris. Would you mind dropping me an email ? my info are in my contact page. Thanks !
- slamus 12y ago
  Same Here, just finished my studies and I work usually for around 60€ / Hour for quick jobs (less than a Week). But I prefer to charge for full projects than by hour, since my work is more finally more of an web agency than a standard developer.
- ovi256 12y ago
  Another Parisian here. Email's in profile info, don't be afraid to write or add me on LinkedIn. Cheers.
revmoo 12y ago
-Website templates 500-2000 -E-commerce websites 10000 to start -Wordpress/Joomla themes 2000 to start -Some SEO from time to time ?? SEO is bullshit -Adding responsiveness to websites Too vague to estimate -Website designs 500 to start -Dynamic websites 2000 to start
nfriedly 12y ago
I haven't freelanced since starting my current position, but I was charging a flat $125/hr for the previous couple of years. I mostly do JavaScript/Node.js stuff and turn down the majority of the work that comes my way.
BlakePetersen 12y ago
I used to charge different rates for different things, but then I realized my time is what's valuable, not so much the task I'm doing. So I switched to $200/hr and stopped wasting time and energy figuring out whether I should be clocked in for this rate, or "that task really falls under that category", or classifying tasks/justifying rates. It's all so much more simple and the client really doesn't care either way I've come to find. Also, I am based in the SF Bay Area and most of my freelance clients are in California for reference.
- TamDenholm 12y ago
  This is the right attitude, i dont know why people's time differs in value depending on the task they are performing, you're still paying that person for their time. I understand that some tasks have a lower general market rate, but if the client specifically wants YOU, then you charge YOUR rate. Whether the client wants you to create a complicated application doing statistical analysis, make a wordpress site, or sweep the floors, if they want YOU to do it, then they pay YOUR rate.
cpursley 12y ago
I tell clients that I charge $150 per hour as an anchor. But most of the time price out projects as sprint based deliverables, not hours.
dingodoo 12y ago
It depends on what your portfolio looks like, honestly. If you've got a bang-up portfolio, by all means do the $150-$200/hour people are recommending. If your portfolio needs a little more polish, charge lower to get the experience. When I started freelancing, I would purposefully undercharge and over-deliver, and let the client know that. If you need to turn work down while you wait for those kinds of higher-paying gigs to come along, you can always sharpen and hone your skills by creating ecommerce templates for theme stores, and make money off of those sales. It may not be the _most_ profitable, but it will keep you in practice in-between clients. The most important thing is that you remain prolific in your work and create a large body of content. Not for them, but for your own skill set.
AdrianRossouw 12y ago
I worked backwards from my target salary, divided by the amount of workdays in a year, with an added 15% contracting rate modifier. So if I wanted to make 90k/y, my day rate would be : > (90000 / 230) * 1.15 = $450 per 8-hour day. PS: I don't like selling time in less than 4 hour batches either.
- gk1 12y ago
  I wouldn't recommend doing this. What does your target salary have to do with the value of your work?
  - midnightmonster 12y ago
    It's also a really naive calculation in that it assumes you will be able to fill nearly every working day out of the year with a full day's worth of paying work. When are you going to pursue leads, develop your sales funnel, learn new tech, and file your taxes?
  - charlesnw 12y ago
    Um. You work for money. Generally one should have a target amount of money in mind (based on a budget). I rather like the calculation. I'll use it next time I do consulting.
    - gk1 12y ago
      Of course you should have a budget, but what does that have to do with the value you're providing as a consultant? If you're asked why your hourly rate is $X, are you going to reply "because I have expensive hobbies?"
    - jnbiche 12y ago
      Do you think this is how companies price their goods? I mean, sure you should calculate a bare minimum rate. But you should charge as much as the market will bare.
egeozcan 12y ago
Near Stuttgart, prices are around 1000€/day (+/-500€, depending on the experience), billed by quarter-day increments.
mlmonkey 12y ago
Not to hijack the thread, but: what are typical rates for Machine Learning freelancing gigs?
mngutterman 12y ago
Kiraken mentioned not knowing how to get new clients. That's something I tend to have issues with as well. Any suggestions?
cweagans 12y ago
I don't do any visual design work, but I'll convert designs to HTML/CSS, though. I specialize in backend development and prefer taking that work when I can. For that, I charge $175/hr.

49 points by kiraken 12y ago

icpmacdo 12y ago

To add to this I would be interested in know what the standard rate is for remote backend development, I know PHP and Node. Also is there much work online for hybrid app development? That's what I have the most experience with.

IpV8 12y ago

I charge whatever I can get! Rates also have to do with where you are, who you know, reputation, and what other offers you have on the table. That being said, here is what I would estimate each at: -Website templates I buy all of mine from themeforest for like $30. I don't see why anyone would do otherwise unless they needed something really custom. I don't like designing website templates, so I would charge $200/hr (a.k.a. I'll never do this) -E-commerce websites $75/hr -Wordpress/Joomla themes Again buy themes from themeforest cheap. Wordpress site maintenance and installation seems to go for $20-$50/hr around here. -Some SEO from time to time Experts will charge as much as $100/hr, basic stuff like putting meta tags in or running a google ads campaign could go as low as $20/hr -Adding responsiveness to websites Nowadays this often means starting from scratch. I try to quote for the whole project on something like this, but to give you an idea I would say around $40 an hour (give or take 20) -Website designs Same as above. ~$40 -Dynamic websites I'm assuming this means webapp? I charge around $85/hr for webapps. Usually using angular. I also have started putting the webapps through cordova/phonegap, which is an easy upsell. And to icpmacdo's point: -remote backend development Same as webapps, around $85/hr seems to be the magic number. This is VERY dependant on who you know and where they are located. Note: All of my rates may seem high for people who find projects online, not in person. They may seem low for experts in their given field. Also, I find the larger the company, the higher the rate. For backend work you could probably get double that if you are an expert in large corporation java work.

mathgeek 12y ago
" so I would charge $200/hr (a.k.a. I'll never do this) " Just to emphasize how much rates can vary for many reasons, $200/hr was my base rate when I freelanced circa 2012.
- pan69 12y ago
  Doing "what" located "where"? An hourly rate is totally subjective to what you do and where you do it.
  - mathgeek 12y ago
    Standard freelance development, as that's what was requested in the OP. All located in the US.
BlakePetersen 12y ago
Can you provide information as to where you are located? These rates seem pretty low IMO, and you speak to location being an important variable, it would be helpful to know what region you're referencing.
- IpV8 12y ago
  I am in New England (USA). These rates are a reflection of what I've seen companies are willing to pay, not necessarily what I'll accept. For example, I have not found an effective way to get more than about $40/hr for Wordpress maintenance, so I have shifted to more backend and webapp work. Also, these rates are more of an average. Depending on the length, stability, and enjoyability of the project, I may be willing to work for more or less money.
  - Jhsto 12y ago
    Where do you find work?
    - 12y ago

pauletienney 12y ago

I work in Paris, France. I charge 500 € / day for web dev. I charge 600 € / day for consulting.

ritonlajoie 12y ago
Hi ! I am also in Paris. Would you mind dropping me an email ? my info are in my contact page. Thanks !
slamus 12y ago
Same Here, just finished my studies and I work usually for around 60€ / Hour for quick jobs (less than a Week). But I prefer to charge for full projects than by hour, since my work is more finally more of an web agency than a standard developer.
ovi256 12y ago
Another Parisian here. Email's in profile info, don't be afraid to write or add me on LinkedIn. Cheers.

revmoo 12y ago

-Website templates 500-2000 -E-commerce websites 10000 to start -Wordpress/Joomla themes 2000 to start -Some SEO from time to time ?? SEO is bullshit -Adding responsiveness to websites Too vague to estimate -Website designs 500 to start -Dynamic websites 2000 to start

nfriedly 12y ago

I haven't freelanced since starting my current position, but I was charging a flat $125/hr for the previous couple of years. I mostly do JavaScript/Node.js stuff and turn down the majority of the work that comes my way.

BlakePetersen 12y ago

I used to charge different rates for different things, but then I realized my time is what's valuable, not so much the task I'm doing. So I switched to $200/hr and stopped wasting time and energy figuring out whether I should be clocked in for this rate, or "that task really falls under that category", or classifying tasks/justifying rates. It's all so much more simple and the client really doesn't care either way I've come to find. Also, I am based in the SF Bay Area and most of my freelance clients are in California for reference.

TamDenholm 12y ago
This is the right attitude, i dont know why people's time differs in value depending on the task they are performing, you're still paying that person for their time. I understand that some tasks have a lower general market rate, but if the client specifically wants YOU, then you charge YOUR rate. Whether the client wants you to create a complicated application doing statistical analysis, make a wordpress site, or sweep the floors, if they want YOU to do it, then they pay YOUR rate.

cpursley 12y ago

I tell clients that I charge $150 per hour as an anchor. But most of the time price out projects as sprint based deliverables, not hours.

dingodoo 12y ago

It depends on what your portfolio looks like, honestly. If you've got a bang-up portfolio, by all means do the $150-$200/hour people are recommending. If your portfolio needs a little more polish, charge lower to get the experience. When I started freelancing, I would purposefully undercharge and over-deliver, and let the client know that. If you need to turn work down while you wait for those kinds of higher-paying gigs to come along, you can always sharpen and hone your skills by creating ecommerce templates for theme stores, and make money off of those sales. It may not be the _most_ profitable, but it will keep you in practice in-between clients. The most important thing is that you remain prolific in your work and create a large body of content. Not for them, but for your own skill set.

AdrianRossouw 12y ago

I worked backwards from my target salary, divided by the amount of workdays in a year, with an added 15% contracting rate modifier. So if I wanted to make 90k/y, my day rate would be : > (90000 / 230) * 1.15 = $450 per 8-hour day. PS: I don't like selling time in less than 4 hour batches either.

gk1 12y ago
I wouldn't recommend doing this. What does your target salary have to do with the value of your work?
- midnightmonster 12y ago
  It's also a really naive calculation in that it assumes you will be able to fill nearly every working day out of the year with a full day's worth of paying work. When are you going to pursue leads, develop your sales funnel, learn new tech, and file your taxes?
- charlesnw 12y ago
  Um. You work for money. Generally one should have a target amount of money in mind (based on a budget). I rather like the calculation. I'll use it next time I do consulting.
  - gk1 12y ago
    Of course you should have a budget, but what does that have to do with the value you're providing as a consultant? If you're asked why your hourly rate is $X, are you going to reply "because I have expensive hobbies?"
  - jnbiche 12y ago
    Do you think this is how companies price their goods? I mean, sure you should calculate a bare minimum rate. But you should charge as much as the market will bare.

egeozcan 12y ago

Near Stuttgart, prices are around 1000€/day (+/-500€, depending on the experience), billed by quarter-day increments.

mlmonkey 12y ago

Not to hijack the thread, but: what are typical rates for Machine Learning freelancing gigs?

mngutterman 12y ago

Kiraken mentioned not knowing how to get new clients. That's something I tend to have issues with as well. Any suggestions?

cweagans 12y ago

I don't do any visual design work, but I'll convert designs to HTML/CSS, though. I specialize in backend development and prefer taking that work when I can. For that, I charge $175/hr.