Nowadays, the United States has so many skilled freelancers. These self-employed workers love what they do that more than half prefer to stay as freelancers than to take regular jobs. Aside from your portfolios and advertising campaigns, you also need to have an official estimate to inform clients how much you’re charging them. Here, we have Freelancer Estimate Templates that are easily editable and fully printable. Whether you’re a freelance writer or a graphic designer, our ready-made products are great for calculating the client’s total expenses. Start issuing official estimates, subscribe to our templates today!
What Is a Freelancer Estimate?
A freelancer estimate is a document that roughly computes the total costs of a project done by a freelancer. This document includes not only the costs for the materials used but also the professional fees by the freelance worker.
How to Prepare a Freelancer Estimate
According to Forbes, the US has around 57 million freelancers in 2019. If you’re one of them, then you better make a good impression if someone hires you for a job. One way is by providing clients with an estimate for their costs, and we have tips below to help you in preparing one.
1. Identify and Review the Job
Many times, a customer has no idea what’s involved in the job when they get a freelancer to do something. For their sake and yours, it’s better to identify the job and review it with your client. Go over what needs to be done, and you’ll be able to come up with what you need for it.
2. Elaborate on the Necessary Materials
As mentioned earlier, you’ll know what you need if you thoroughly understand the job. So now, elaborate on the materials you need for the job and write them down on a list. Additionally, check to see how much each material costs so you can start computing the costs.
3. Add the Costs for Labor and Materials
Now that you have a clearer picture of what you need and how much the materials cost, start adding them up to get the total expenses for the materials. Afterward, include a quotation to inform the client how much you’re charging them per hour. Here, you might need to negotiate with the client so that the total fits their budget.
4. Describe Comprehensively the Payment Terms
If you think the payment terms don’t matter, then you’re wrong. In most cases, the client will need to pay half the total costs before any work is performed. But in other cases, it’s work first then pay later. Aside from that, inform the client if they should pay through cash, cheque, or any other method.
5. Provide Your Name and Contact Details
As long as the job is done properly, there won’t be any problem afterward. However, it’s better to be safe by providing your name and contact details on your project estimate. This way, not only can it be used by the client for follow-up work, but you’re also encouraging them to contact you if they have another job that requires a freelancer.
