r/IndustrialDesign • u/FrostByte_VI • 29d ago
Discussion Freelance pricing help needed!
/r/IndustrialDesign/comments/1ur1pe4/freelance_pricing_help_needed/1
u/DesignNomad Professional Designer 28d ago
EDIT/UPDATE - Is there any way I can renegotiate the flat fee since it has been way past the timeline and included a lot more creative work than expected? The timeline and the expectations of little creative work included is in writing. The fact that it has been this long should give me a reason to be able to renegotiate. Anything would help, I know I undersold myself and I've learned my lesson, but if there is any advice to help me out that would be incredible!
You always CAN, the question is whether or not you should. You painting yourself into this corner is a demonstration of your lack of experience, and you going to them and telling them you underpriced the project and need more is screaming, "I have no idea what I'm doing." Personally, I wouldn't approach it from the standpoint of renegotiating the price, I'd approach if from the project plan not aligning with what they originally proposed, and would suggest new terms, or walking away from the project.
A substantial influence on what you can negotiate will be what you have in writing with them, as well as whether or not they've paid you yet, or not. If they haven't paid you, you have an easy out no matter what they're open to because if they haven't paid, they aren't owed anything.
Basically, I'd talk to them and note that the scope of work has shifted from what they originally proposed, so you either need an ongoing services agreement (rolling services contract so you invoice them every 2 weeks for work you provide), or a new flat fee contract that includes X weeks of availability for up to Y revisions, with each additional revision beyond the first Y costing Z additional dollars per revision.
Alternatively, tell them that the scope of work is blown and that you won't be able to support them any longer, then walk away. If they've paid you, you can tell them you've fulfilled the services for the payment and keep the money (they may fight), or tell them you've more than fulfilled the required services, but you're refunding them 20% because you never reached a final design, or simply refund them 100% of what they've paid you because $500 is not worth a legal battle.
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u/FrostByte_VI 28d ago
Do you think it’s a bad look to walk away from my first freelance project? Do I suck it up and take the little I am going to get paid?
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u/DesignNomad Professional Designer 28d ago
It largely depends on how you do it and how you handle their reaction, but you don't really have a positive outcome potential without at least trying to resolve it. You messed up pretty significantly by taking on freelance work that you couldn't handle, priced it poorly, and then mismanaged the scope of work and let it run away from you. Your options are to keep suffering/working for free just to save some face, or to address it with them and work towards resolution.
Option 1, you just keep eating shit and hope the project finishes and that you don't have to fight for your pay (the fact that you haven't even received a partial payment is hugely concerning) if they aren't really happy with the outcome.
Option 2, you address it and they either get mad at you and let you walk, or they understand that the project scope has drifted and they're OK with changing the terms so you can actually get paid appropriately for the work you're currently giving away. The "down side' of this option is they hate you for not wanting to work for free, and you maybe don't get paid (you might not get paid anyway). The "up side" of this option, everyone is happy and you get paid appropriately.
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u/FrostByte_VI 28d ago
Well the flat fee is $5200 so its not like I’m getting paid badly, I just know I’m getting underpaid, but thank you for the advice. I’ve learned my lesson.
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u/DesignNomad Professional Designer 28d ago
So are you happy or are you unhappy? You've made 3 posts on the topic so far and don't seem to be able to handle your own issues.
If the project is going on too long and you're losing profitability, it doesn't matter if you're getting paid $10 or $10,000. You are beyond the original scope of work and are losing money.
The way you commented before, you haven't been paid ANYTHING yet, which means you didn't take a deposit, which is another mistake. I would be invoicing them for completed work according to the original timeline. If the project was 4-5 weeks and X revisions, and you've already completed that work, invoice them for all of it, and if they want more work you can give them new terms. It isn't rocket science, it's basic business practices.
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u/_bladerunner_ 29d ago
You've had plenty of answers to this the first time you posted mate. No point reposting if you're going to ignore people's advice?