Hourly vs fixed-price projects
Both models can work. The wrong one quietly deletes your margin.
Choose hourly when scope is foggy
Discovery, retainers, and evolving product work belong on hourly (or weekly) billing. You get paid for exploration. Cap weekly hours so the client still feels control.
Choose fixed when deliverables are crisp
Landing pages, brand kits, migrations with a known checklist — fixed fees win when you can estimate. Add contingency for revisions. The project quote calculator is built for that buffer.
Hybrid that clients accept
- Discovery on hourly, build on fixed
- Fixed package + paid change requests
- Monthly retainer with a defined hour bank
Know your floor with the rate calculator before you negotiate either model.