Ask HN: Freelancers, are you lowering your rates? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Freelancers, are you lowering your rates?

#11

Post by janbernhart » Thu, Mar 26, 2020, 7:31 AM UTC

If your client/prospect asks you to lower your rate, have a conversation with them on why they request that. Do they need N% cost saving? Perhaps you can you work N% less than. Or negotiate longer contracts (or longer notice periods to stop the project) in return.

It could be that more professionals in your market (either freelance or employees) are becoming available, changing the demand-supply, which would normally lower the rater. Part of your rate is likely based on the scarcity of your craft. If that changes, don't be too proud to change your rate. But also don't just accept a lower rate without questions.

Re: Ask HN: Freelancers, are you lowering your rates?

#12

Post by BeyondLimits99 » Thu, Mar 26, 2020, 8:00 AM UTC

janbernhart wrote: post #11

If your client/prospect asks you to lower your rate, have a conversation with them on why they request that. Do they need N% cost saving? Perhaps you can you work N% less than. Or negotiate longer contracts (or longer notice periods to stop the project) in return. It could be that more professionals in your market (either freelance or employees) are becoming available, changing the demand-supply, which would normally…

Or negotiate features of lowering your rate.

Re: Ask HN: Freelancers, are you lowering your rates?

#13

Post by muzani » Thu, Mar 26, 2020, 8:14 AM UTC

No, I get more than enough requests as it is.

Re: Ask HN: Freelancers, are you lowering your rates?

#14

Post by conductr » Thu, Mar 26, 2020, 1:44 PM UTC

I'm not a freelancer, but what I'm seeing on corp finance side, I'd recommend that you do not take on significant AR. If you can, push for increased payment frequencies if you have the opportunity. Myself and my peers are turning off payment to vendors/contractors until further notice, even if they have not been notified yet. Lawyers are telling us most contracts can basically be thrown in the trash under the economic circumstances.

Re: Ask HN: Freelancers, are you lowering your rates?

#15

Post by zer00eyz » Fri, Mar 27, 2020, 1:55 AM UTC

I have had a few clients ask to defer work. Normally the only way out is to draft a new SOW (and pay some penalty) or cancel and pay a penalty. I have made an exception and issued 90 day holds on our agreements at the end of witch they can either resume or pay termination costs.

I have a few clients who are now paying MORE (new contract) due to the change in the nature and scope of work. I have been doing a bit of "soft consuming" with folks adapting to working from home. Some non technical teams just don't have the know how or experience to work remote. The nature of remote work has shifted as well. Basics have become problematic as many are in transition.