Re: Billable vs. non-billable hours

Billable hours are a great thing for piece work, but my clients want an 
estimate on the entire website.  When this runs over (notice I did not say 
if), we lose money.  Estimating is difficult, but smaller (in the $10,000 
to $30,000 range) clients need that security to buy into doing a 
website.  And if responding to a government or non-profit RFP it is vital 
to lay out every cent ahead of time.  My problem is how to get the billable 
money without losing clients for lack of estimate.  My problem might also 
be that my estimates are not high enough to cover "incidentals."

When a client calls and says fix this... I do and I bill them.  I set an 
hour minimum.  This works great.

It's during the big project phase that I lose money and billables.  How do 
I fix this?  Any advice is welcome.

Oh..  One more thing.  I don't believe in billing a client for my learning 
process.  If it's a new technology it is my investment.


Jeanne
President, Locust Creek Graphics, Ltd Co.
RR1 Box 54 - Randolph Center, VT 05061
Ph:  802.728.3818  - Fax:  802.728.3731
Do Some Site Seeing!
http://www.locustcreek.com
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