Guys i need help pricing myself???

Trevor9988

I do 3D renderings of Optometry centers nationwide,,,, i import the cad floor plan from CAD and bring up the walls and build everything inside the buildings and may bring in small things like computers but i have elevations of cabinets showcases dispensing tables reception desks lights and even bring in the actual paint to be used and lvps and vcts and all then make a walk through???i have pictures and stuff but i dont know how to post them on here im brand new to this website?

I am about to leave this job to do freelance and some other 3d stuff but i am trying to find out my skill level and how much im worth

solo

@unknownuser said:

I am about to leave this job to do freelance and some other 3d stuff but i am trying to find out my skill level and how much im worth

Be very careful mate, why not do freelance on the side until it pays enough for you to quit your day job?
Do you render or only model?
Where are you located? as that also determines your pricing based on cost of living.

I have been freelancing for the last 9 years and there is not a year that has gone by that I at some point considered getting a real job, as it's not easy and certainly no guarantees, no stability, no leave pay, no healthcare, etc.

pbacot

Yeah. What Peter says. I have best (or worst, depending on the day) of both worlds. I have some of my own jobs and I have long time employer/clients. I charge them less mostly because they just bring the work and pay my hourly rate --boom! See if you can find a way to "hire" yourself. Pretend YOU are an employer making an offer to YOU, that you can't refuse, then back it up. Then you MUST quit the day job. That "employer" has the job to find those projects and clients though.

Pricing always hard. You will usually charge too little. Also look at your needs. What is too small a paycheck to be worthwhile? Big jobs can be higher fees. Small jobs and clients are hard to charge enough. Sorry, it all has to do with your specialty and milieu. You will also build some value as you build clientele and reputation (oddly, not necessarily skill).

andybot

@pbacot said:

You will also build some value as you build clientele and reputation (oddly, not necessarily skill).

Quite right. Skill only helps to be more efficient, so you can charge more for less of your time. Skill does not necessarily bring in the jobs, but does help retain clients.

Too many people out there on the internet have beautiful work shown in their portfolio [not always theirs ] so it's VERY hard to compete for new work online. You must work your connections if you are to make a go of it - probably 90 - 95% of my work has been repeat client and through networking.

Andy