Quoting a freelance project accurately is one of the hardest skills to develop. Underquote and you resent the work. Overquote and you lose the client. Here is a framework that gets you to a defensible, profitable number every time.
Step 1: Scope before you price
Never estimate time without a written scope. A client's "simple website" can mean a 5-page static site or a 60-page e-commerce build. Before any number leaves your mouth, write down deliverables, rounds of revision, and what is explicitly out of scope.
Step 2: Estimate hours, then multiply by 1.3–1.5
Track your hours on past projects for 30 days. You will find you systematically underestimate by 30–50%. Build that buffer into every quote.
Step 3: Apply your rate
Your rate should cover: your desired take-home income, taxes (25–35%), benefits, unpaid admin time (20–30% of working hours), and vacancy risk.
Minimum freelance rate = (annual income target + taxes + costs) / billable hours
Step 4: Add a project management fee
Add 10–15% for project management on top of production time. Meetings, emails, revisions, and client calls are real work even if they feel like overhead.
Use the freelance project estimate calculator to build your quote from components.