What should you charge.

The number updates as you go. Save it when it feels honest, then turn it into an agreement.

Skills · pick up to four, first is primary

Engineering

Design

Creative

Writing

Marketing

Strategy

Go-to-market

Niche / specializationYears in the work · 8Seniority bandWhere you bill fromClient typeEngagement

Hours you can sell / week · 30Utilization · 60%Target take-home / year (USD)Scope risk · 3/5Estimated project hours

Scope of work (feeds the agreement)

Hourly rate

75th percentile

$240/hr

Floor $185/hr · Stretch $305/hr

$75Market band$295

Hourly

$240/hr

Daily

$1,550/day

Project

$23,000

Retainer

$4,400/mo

About $13,478/mo take-home at 936 billable hours/year.

How the number was built

Hourly, tight scope
$240/hr
Best for undefined work. Cap the week so it cannot sprawl.
Fixed project
$23,000
80h estimate × rate × 120% risk. Change orders extra.
Monthly retainer
$4,400/mo
20h reserved. Unused hours do not roll unless you say so.

Included on every quote.

Billable capacity is 936 hours/year at 60% utilization.
That supports about $13,478/mo take-home after a 28% self-employment & overhead haircut.
If they flinch at the recommended number, offer a smaller scope — not a cheaper hour.
Hourly without a weekly cap is how 40-hour weeks become 60. Put the cap in the agreement.