Yes, I know I should've figured out a rate before getting the job, but the guy originally offered one rate but is now saying I can basically pick my own. Now I don't really know what an appropriate fee would be. The original offer was $25 an hour but I want to stay in that range. I also don't want to charge too much since the site is only a tables design, and it's not like I'm a "professional" (I'm a 15 yr old high school student, but I can certainly do the job well). Also, should I charge a weekly fee or something, because I don't want the number of hours I work, exactly, to come into question. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

$25 / hr. is pretty good money for a high school kid so I'd say if your client is agreeable to that then go for it. Heck, I still do some jobs for that when work is slow and I'm 40 :)

I like to come up with a flat fee for normal work to keep a steady income stream. Some months it'll take a little less time than others but make the amount a good average. If it were me I'd decide exactly what I was going to do each week, figure out how long it will take and write up a proposal so there's no argument down the road. For example:

Web Maintenance Proposal.

We propose to update the weekly announcements page and delete all old announcements using information provided to us by the client. All spell-checking must be done ahead of time and any later changes due to erronious information will be billed extra.

We propose to check the server log statistics each week for failed requests and repair any old file references with .htaccess entries to redirect to valid files.

We propose to (monthly) use our customized link testing program to search the entire site for broken links and repair any that are necessary.

All this for the sum of $XX.XX per month.

Any additional text replacement or layout work will be billed at the rate of $25/hr. Graphics design and modification billed at $35/hr.

Treat your customer fairly, do good work - giving them a little more than they pay for and you'll soon have more clients. Find a few friends to work for $15/hr (after all, you did the hard work of getting the account) that do good work and farm the stuff you don't like out to them and pretty soon you have a business.


BTW - That'll be $25 for the consulting....

Thank you for being so helpful!! I just called him, and we decided on $25hr at first for the initial update (a big one), and then depending on how much work is done later, well take it from there. It'll probly be something like $15-$20 an hour, or maybe a weekly fee, since the weekly updates will be minimal. Ahh having a job feels good =)

Dude, good luck! :D

Web Design isn't currently very steady, so don't expect consistant income! Not that you actually need it for taxes and everything, being a high school student and all... But I know that it feels good to have excess money and being able to spend it where and when you want... The only problem is getting it.... Oh, well, back into my hole...

- James