A budget and how much to charge for a project is one of a designer’s biggest concerns. If you charge a high amount, there is a risk that the customer will not return. A low value can convey the idea of amateur work. As a designer, it is important to know the real value and the value of your work.
When it comes time to set the price of a project. Consider things such as. If the amount charged is based on hour/machine (per hour), your budget will vary according to the size of the project. What is the decisive factors that determine the payment of a design project?
Below follows the aspects and criteria based on which a designer must decide his project and the budget involved:
1. Knowledge and Skills:
The main aspect that customers observe in a professional designer. The degree of knowledge he has. To provide service in an amateur way means a lack of experience and exposure to real design projects. That is why you should take your experience into account. When setting values with customers, regardless of the size of the job.
2. Scale of the project:
An extra resource that determines the value of the project is its extension and scale. The category, extent, and size of the project you have in determining how much you should charge. Since time is precious to a designer. You must measure the time it would take to complete a project and define the values. The more time you dedicate to a project, the more you should charge your client.
3. Based on the audience:
In some cases, the place where your company / your customers make a big difference. Changing what you can charge the customer. You need to check what the designers in your region offer and set a similar price. If your cost is higher than that of competitors, likely, your demand will also be lower or non-existent. Besides, in some places, companies are not willing to pay a high price for certain projects. While in more select and corporate areas, you can set a different price.
If you have a portfolio of customers in more comprehensive regions. Make analysis by public profile and develop the budget based on the purchasing power of each one.
4. Per hour, per project, or fixed amount:
The value of your project also depends on how you are going to charge, that is, whether you are freelance or fixed. For freelancers, the most usual is to charge per hour, as it uses a more flexible rate. Establish the value per project. The total time allocated to it can be greater than planned. Jeopardizing your initial budget. For designers with fixed jobs, the monthly payment, like other employees, is adequate.
5. Extra costs:
Except for the normal expenses associated with a design project. There are some expenses not foreseen above, such as, for example, printing expenses. Meetings and transportation and food expenses must be considered.