A client has a messy maintenance job: update old pages, fix whatever breaks, and investigate a few issues that may or may not be related. I can't reasonably estimate the total hours before opening everything up. A fixed quote protects the client but could punish me for surprises; hourly billing feels vague unless there's a cap. Has anyone used a paid diagnosis phase followed by a firm estimate for the actual repairs? That seems fairer to both sides than guessing.
Deciding whether to charge hourly for a messy maintenance job
- freelancing
- charge
- hourly
- messy
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1 reply
Paid diagnosis first is fairer than pretending you can quote the unknown. I’ve used that approach on repair-style jobs: one fee to inspect,...
Paid diagnosis first is fairer than pretending you can quote the unknown. I’ve used that approach on repair-style jobs: one fee to inspect, then a fixed price for the rest once the scope is clearer.
That works if you’re very clear about what the diagnosis covers and what it doesn’t. Otherwise the client thinks the first phase included half the job.
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I like hourly with a cap better for messy work. It keeps the client from feeling boxed in, and you’re not guessing blind.
I like hourly with a cap better for messy work. It keeps the client from feeling boxed in, and you’re not guessing blind.
I’d do the cap either way. People relax a lot when they know the bill can’t run away from them.
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If you go diagnosis then estimate, write down the handoff point. On a mixed-up maintenance job, that line gets fuzzy fast.
If you go diagnosis then estimate, write down the handoff point. On a mixed-up maintenance job, that line gets fuzzy fast.