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When you first start out freelancing it’s really hard to know what freelance graphic design rates to charge and of course no-one wants to reveal what they earn either. Obviously there are many factors to take into account including where you are based, how much design experience you have and of course what the market will stand, but at least now there is a guide to help you. I was alerted to a Freelance Rates survey by James Young from Welcome Brand who commented on one of my old posts What can you charge for freelance graphic design. The Freelance Rates Survey 2011 was compiled by Cole Henley after he was made redundant, started freelancing and wanted to know what to charge. He surveyed freelance people in the UK and compiled the results by Age, Experience and area of work and location.
For more info check out http://cole007.net/blog/86/freelance-rates-survey-2011 and find out if you are charging what you should be.
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28 Comments
This is pretty interesting. One of my friends is just starting to freelance, I will direct her to your blog so she can get the link to see this post! Thanks sharing
I think it’s a great idea, it lets you check that you are charging in the right ball park too whatever your experience
Part time free lancers are available in forums which they use to charge very low for the designs its really hurt the professional freelancers
It would be good to see freelance product designer rates…
This has always been my downfall! I always end up under charging because I am concerned about winning the job. I would just like to add that another thing to consider is to NOT DO WORK FOR FRIENDS, because they always expect mates rates and they are always the pickiest clients to work for. Thanks for the article.
Hi Lu, Do not work for relations either
saying that I have actually had a normal client as for “mates rates” too
I think this is very helpful for inexperience but has great potential to become an expert on the field of web designing to know what rate should they charge for their work when they’re planning to go free lancing to gain experience.
Freelancers, what do you do when you design something for someone and they don’t like it? Do you charge for it or not?
That’s a difficult one and you really have to look at why they didn’t like it.
That is quite a useful piece of information. It would be even more useful if such a survey could be conducted on a larger scale, covering different countries for example. Is it possible?
With your respect Buddy I want to share my idea, I would not come up with something that my customer not like it because first thing to do is to know what the customer wants.
Tara: As always, great stuff you a sharing. I was aware of the fact that my rates are below avarage – which is also intended (i have no office costs, im young etc), but i had no idea that i was that much below the average for my own age group.
Do i dare asking how much you are usually charging? Can’t find any rates here on the site
Buddy:
Thats why you should always make sure what the customer really wants before starting. I only experienced one time, that i customer didn’t like my work, so we sorted out a fair middle price, to compensate for some of my hours, and of course i kept the rights for the work that i’d done (which i used 6 month later for another client)
Hi Marc Thanks. I actually looked at the rates and thought I should be charging more too, but at the moment how things are, it’s not that easy to up your rates.
Great post! My wife is a graphic designer and she is always stressing about what to charge her freelance clients. She doesn’t want to sell herself short but, at the same time, she doesn’t want to risk pricing herself out of a potential project. I’ll be sure to pass on these helpful tips!
I work as a freelance web developer. It’s all about advertising yourself. Go on as many communities (forums) as you can and just see if anyone will want your services. It is up to you if you want to charge them since you’re just starting out as a freelancer although you already have a portfolio of your work. But just offer your services to EVERYONE. Eventually,
Just what I needed, abit of comparison and clarity between whats acceptable or not..
Thanks for the heads up on this. A neat little device that will prove hand i’m sure!
Thanks for the link, I’ve been slowly upping quotes as I go to try and bring them into line with other designers.
This is one of my main issues as a new freelance graphic designer. I am beginning getting a decent trickle of work now but knowing what to charge is impossible! I have been tending to price myself too low for fear of losing the job, these early clients are precious as they give me the chance to earn experience, recommendations, and build my client base. But on the other hand there have been clients who just want to squeeze everything they can from you at minimal cost.
Hi Sarah, Its always a difficult one knowing what to charge, I think even experienced freelancers struggle with this. You don’t want to charge yourself out of the market but want to charge what your experience is worth. A freelancer friend and I often run costs by each other as a double check.
One of my friends is just starting to freelance, I will direct her to your blog !
I am working as freelancer since 5 years..My rate is always normal but some time i need it survey of this rate…Without survey its difficult to know the actual rate ..Great work done here.
Thanks for sharing this nice stuff.
Great idea! I think most people starting out struggle with this and it is very important to get it right.
A really useful tool for freelancers. And design studios. Many thanks
I’m based in Leeds and have been working as a freelance graphic designer for three years – was quite surprised to see some of the figures quoted in that report. I’m not sure if it’s my location (possibly not as I work nationally and beyond), length of experience, the state of the economy or just plain unlucky (I don’t feel unlucky!), but I think I’d struggle to charge £300 per day with the majority of my clients. In my recent experience, most agencies / companies / clients seem to be looking more around the £150 – £200 per day mark. Maybe I’m underselling myself?
Hi Thomas – I know round here some inhouse freelance design work does not pay very well, along the amounts that you suggest.
Interesting survey. Most graphic design websites don’t list prices for services. This is usually down to the fact that every job is different and should be tailored towards the client. I work in graphic design belfast and find that most design agencies throughout the city, like the rest of the country tend to withhold prices until a client has contacted them asking about a particular job or project. The price for the job does depend on its nature and how long it will take to complete etc. There is however according to this survey an average price graphic designers charge per job nationwide with small variations per locality. It is an interesting piece of information.
Thanks for the great post. I have done a few freelance projects myself, mostly small graphic design projects.
Like a lot of people on here, I have found myself undercharging by a lot. However, I have charged my last few jobs by the hour. Is the survey that was posted based on an 8 hour working day?
How many hours constitute as a working day in freelancing?
Thanks.