Deciding a Rate For Your Services

How do you handle setting the rate(s) for the work you do? Is it always "whatever I can get?" or are there some clear guidelines related to market and experience level? I've always been willing to work within any budget but sometimes I have to juggle financial needs with my desire (or necessity) to take every job that comes my way.

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Permalink Reply by John DeNosky on October 25, 2007 at 1:01am

Unfortunately, I'm kinda in the "take whatever I can get" category. lol
Keeps me from working at Mickey D's, but it sure makes vacations long overdue, as well...

J

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Permalink Reply by Bret Teegarden on October 25, 2007 at 7:15am

John,

I've seen some engineers charge say XX for engineering and then tack on an extra XX per hour for their ProTools rig. Also, I have a good friends who says XX per hour is better than 00 per hour. Especially if you have the time open. I know it's a supply and demand sort of thing.

One thing that I can't understand is someone who advertises on Craig's List that they have a HD3 Accel system and a room to track a full rhythm section for $25/HR. This does nothing but hurt everybody.

I'm sure it's the same for musicians and singers.

Sometimes I wish we were more like gas stations where you never see more than a few cents difference in price. Never gonna happen! I really don't think we all should be charging the same rate, BUT it does work pretty well for the musicians, who have a union to control this sort of thing. Then we get into the whole union, non-union debate.

What seems to work for me is to try to keep up with what my peers charge and try VERY hard NOT to undercut them. I will often tell a client that I like to get XX per hour but I certainly am willing to be flexible when there are budget concerns. Or sometimes I will just try and go the extra mile or throw in some perks. I think your years of experience and the quality of your work should also support your rate.

I don't know, you'd think that after 27 years engineering this wouldn't be a dilemma. Ha!

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Permalink Reply by John DeNosky on October 25, 2007 at 5:18pm

I definitely will get a lot of use out of this discussion! ;-) This is what us younglings need.

I will say this...I never advertise a low fee, because I don't want to be one of the many at fault for causing the loss of high quality work in this industry...but I often find myself having to work with "budgets" that are MUCH lower than even EXTREMELY conservative budgets. How do you combat this when you don't have the clientele to afford to turn down projects? btw...I'm referring to mostly garage-band/beginner songwriter stuff at this point.

Anyone else experience this?

J

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Permalink Reply by Hale White on May 29, 2008 at 12:31am

Craigslist only affects people who rely on Craigslist for work. Most serious people don't shop studios through Craigslist. It all depends on the level of one's clientele.

I always ask what the budget is before deciding, but these days you have to be willing to be somewhat flexible if you want to work. Just don't totally devalue yourself and let desperation affect you too much.

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Permalink Reply by Salvo on October 25, 2007 at 12:13pm

Bro, I just try to stay somewhere around what my plummer gets per hour...

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Permalink Reply by Aaron Swihart on October 25, 2007 at 5:07pm

I must second this, however I am not sure the market will bear this any longer!!

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Permalink Reply by Bret Teegarden on October 25, 2007 at 5:12pm

Dang, I've been trying to keep up with my Lawyer...

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Permalink Reply by Salvo on October 25, 2007 at 5:58pm

Lawyer????
@#$#^
$150/hr.?

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Permalink Reply by Joe Hogue 'JOJOHO' on October 28, 2007 at 9:20pm

I wish we could come anywhere near to attorney's rates! LOL $400 an hour would work for me! LOL When you wish upon a star your dreams come true...

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Permalink Reply by Jed Hackett on November 26, 2007 at 11:25am

dude, plumber's make a lot! Sometimes I think I got into the wrong profession.

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Permalink Reply by Leonard Wolf on March 30, 2008 at 1:58pm

my dad advised me to be a plumber .... and there are times, I wonder.... you certainly can't download free plumbing

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Permalink Reply by Jim Dineen on March 30, 2008 at 6:26pm

No, but I've met several sharp ex-plumbers working for Lowe's & Home Depot who found themselves short of work when so many started doing it themselves. Helps me avoid feeling singled out!