How we charge
We think the fairest way to price work is simply based on the time it takes.
That’s why we use hourly rates and track our work to the minute so that you only pay for the studio time your project actually uses. When it comes to on-going support we don’t lock clients into retainers or have minimum billables, except for out-of-hours or priority turnaround work.
We understand the importance of providing value for money and so our rates always track well below the market average for an agency with our skills and experience. Our pricing is reviewed each year based on what we need to sustain and develop the business. Any changes are published in advance here and in an email update to clients.
- Industry average rate: £105ph +VAT
- Our standard 2024-25 rate: £89ph +VAT
- Our charity 2024-25 rate: £84.55ph +VAT
Green discount
Since the start of 2022 all our services have operated as carbon neutral and we want to encourage our clients to reduce their environmental impact too. So if your organisation as a whole or the project you are engaging us on can be demonstrated to be carbon-positive in its impact then we apply the same 5% discount on our studio rate that we previously offered only to charities and social enterprises.
Payment terms
Our standard payment terms are 14 days for studio time and 30 days for services such as hosting or domain name registration. Unless otherwise arranged all payments are taken by BACS. We follow the government’s guidance on late payment compensation, including charging statutory interest on any amounts owning and a fixed debt recovery fee. However, we would encourage anyone who thinks they may have problems paying on time to get in touch before payment becomes due as we may be able to arrange extended payment terms depending on the circumstances.
Quotes
When we quote for a job we do so on a time and materials basis as we believe this is the fairest way to price our work.
Over the past 12 years we have built up a pretty accurate understanding of how much time is involved in projects of all shapes and sizes and we use this to inform the recommended budget and estimated turnaround on a project. Typically we will present these as a range, illustrating the anticipated upper and lower costs of a piece of work.
If the scope of a project changes in a way that is likely to push costs outside the estimated range we aim to communicate that as early as possible so that you remain in control of your spend. We also understand that sometimes there will be a hard upper-limit to what can be spent and we can help shape a project to remain within that.
Every year this approach saves our clients thousands of pounds, while also ensuring that we are paid fairly for the time we commit to their work.
Quotes are valid for 30 days from the date of issue.
Material costs
In addition to our time, the other thing we may charge for as part of a project, or in the course of day-to-day design and development support, are material costs. These are normally things that we are purchasing on your behalf for use specifically on your project. For example licensing WordPress plug-ins, stock photography, custom fonts etc. In cases where material costs may be involved we will approve these with you ahead of purchase.
Project deposits
For any piece of work where the anticipated spend is greater than £1,000 ex VAT a deposit (typically 50% of the estimated cost) may be taken to secure a place in our schedule. This deposit demonstrates that you are serious about your project and gives us the financial assurance we need to get started.
Last updated: 27 March 2024
