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//// Business · Freelance Pricing

Freelance Pricing Strategy Calculator

Fixed, hourly, retainer, value-based, or milestone? Enter your project details and get a risk-adjusted quote for every model — plus a recommendation for which strategy fits this specific project.

Where this fits

📦 Business & Seller OpsGoing 1099FreelancersFounders

This tool lives inside Going 1099 and is most useful for freelancers and founders.

Corp Tax Rate21%
SE Threshold$400
FICA Cap 2024$168,600

Project Details

Risk Level

Recommended: Hourly

Medium complexity with potential scope changes — hourly protects your time and is transparent for the client

Fixed Price
$6,550
1.15× risk adj.
Hourly Estimate
$5,000
40 hrs × $125/hr
Retainer / Mo
$2,500
20 hrs/mo
Revision Buffer
$800
2 rounds × 8%

Model Comparison

Fixed Price
$6,550
Pros: Client knows their total cost upfront — easier to close
Watch: Scope creep directly erodes your margin

Best for: Well-defined, bounded projects with a trusted client and clear deliverables

HourlyRecommended
$5,000
Pros: Client pays for actual time — protects you from scope changes
Watch: Client may scrutinize hours and push back

Best for: Consulting, support, research, or any project with unclear or evolving scope

Retainer
$2,500/mo
Pros: Predictable recurring revenue — best for cash flow planning
Watch: Requires consistent monthly delivery commitment

Best for: Ongoing work: content, dev support, marketing, fractional roles, advisory

Value-Based
Budget needed
Milestone
$6,550 (3 milestones)
Pros: Client pays progressively — reduces their commitment anxiety
Watch: More admin: milestone definitions, sign-offs, staged invoicing

Best for: Projects 40+ hours where client wants visibility into progress (split into 3 milestones)

1

Base price (hours × rate)

base = estimatedHours × targetHourlyRate

40 hrs × $125.00/hr

= $5,000

2

Fixed price with risk multiplier

fixed = base × riskMultiplier + revisionBuffer

$5,000 × 1.15 + $800

= $6,550

Risk multiplier: medium (1.15×). Revision buffer: 8% × 2 rounds.

3

Retainer (monthly minimum)

retainer = minHours × rate / month

20 hrs × $125.00/hr

= $2,500/mo

Key insight

Most freelancers undercharge on fixed-price projects because they forget two things: the risk multiplier for scope uncertainty, and the revision buffer. Every revision round eats 8–15% of your margin. Price it in upfront or put hard limits in the contract — 'two rounds of revisions included' protects you legally and financially.

Use this result in →

Rate Negotiation →Project Profitability →Overhead Rate →

#ShowYourWork

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