Took on a $500 project with a 2 week deadline and ended up losing money

I said yes to a rush job last month from a repeat client in Austin. They needed a full website redesign in 14 days and I quoted $500 without really thinking it through. Ended up working 60+ hours that week plus overtime and realized I made like $8 an hour after taxes. Anyone else ever lowball themselves on a tight deadline and regret it?

2 comments

2 Comments

wesley_thompson18d ago

You ever stop and add up what you actually made per hour on a project and feel sick? I used to think taking any work was better than nothing, especially from regular clients. But after a similar situation where I worked my ass off for basically minimum wage, it completely changed how I price things. Now I figure out my minimum hourly rate before I even quote a job. That $500 probably felt good in the moment but the math doesn't lie. It sucks learning this lesson the hard way but at least now you know what to look out for.

jordan33018d agoMost Upvoted

Man, tell me about it. I took a flat rate job for a regular client once thinking it was a good deal, and when I broke it down after all the revisions and extra meetings it came out to like $8 an hour. Made me sick to my stomach for a week. Now I literally calculate my minimum per hour before I even look at the scope of work. It's honestly the only way to keep from getting burned again. Feels bad looking back at all the times I let people walk all over me with those fixed prices.