Contractor Rates

[icyrus]

Some might consider this subject taboo but are there any independent contractors here who are willing to disclose their hourly rates for development work?

 

[DevSign]

Show our hourly rates on the forum for all to see? or pm you a list of our rates?

 

[frikkie6000]

It all depends on the language

I develop in the following languages

Php
Asp.net
C#
Java

Php would be my lowest starting from R250 per hour moving on the most you can expect about R650 per hour for some of the other languages

I mostly base my per hour rate on the following

- Complexity of task required
- Timeline (Of course if the client wants it NOW then the rate is higher) Otherwise it is assigned in my development time table
- Large Companies fee is adjusted as I need to do consulting and also some require me to work on site

Then I have different rates for the following as well

Windows Server Management
Linux Server Management
Graphics Design
SEO

Etc

 

[icyrus]

Show our hourly rates on the forum for all to see? or pm you a list of our rates?

The idea was to share our rates here but I guessed some would not be comfortable doing that.

It all depends on the language

Thank you, that was exactly the sort of info I was hoping for.

For my part I am currently doing Python work at R400/hour.

 

[DevSign]

Yeah I charge the same hourly rate for php. It also varies on the kind of project it is, as Byron mentioned.

 

[GarethC]

create an anonymous poll, ask for average rates. People can comment with further information.

 

[mcryan]

create an anonymous poll, ask for average rates. People can comment with further information.

A poll is a good idea, not everyone wants to disclose their rates publicly.

 

[MagicDude4Eva]

from working at previous companies, some "consultants" charge ridiculous rates (considering their lack of experience). Java skills are going from R200 to R700 p.h. (in most cases, especially at the low end, you will find a Jnr developer will get R200 but will be contracted out at R400-R500 by an agency). Average for Java would be around R500 though.

Oracle will go from R700 upwards. SAP will be R1000 or more. "Consultancy" rates (read Accenture, SAP, Microsoft etc) will be billed out to the client at R1500-R2000.

I think in most cases, contracting (having done it for 16 years) is a pointless exercise (considering that you need to offset 2 months for unpaid leave / public holidays) and seldom (aside from the temporary financial gain) will allow you any decent career perspective.

 

[Mars]

This is a bad idea.

A really good developer may do twice as much in an hour as a crappy one, besides turning out quality work so what might look like double the price is actually cheaper in the end.

Working solely on an hourly rate is looking for trouble. Have people quote hours on a project and then have a look at the hourly rate.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

This is a bad idea.

A really good developer may do twice as much in an hour as a crappy one, besides turning out quality work so what might look like double the price is actually cheaper in the end.

Working solely on an hourly rate is looking for trouble. Have people quote hours on a project and then have a look at the hourly rate.

+1

I do somethings far quicker than others and charging the same rate per hour is not going to work.

 

[frikkie6000]

+1

I do somethings far quicker than others and charging the same rate per hour is not going to work.

Definitely so

Most clients prefer a fixed rate though on a per project basis my hourly rate is normal applicable only for add ons

 

[DevSign]

I agree to that Byron, clients do prefer project pricing over hourly pricing.