Track time. Get paid.
How to quote an hourly rate
Turn your freelance hourly rate into a clear client agreement. Use a worked quote, a budget checkpoint and a copyable message for extra work.
For freelancers who have chosen a rate and need to agree a specific job.
Updated
Send the hourly rate with the work it covers and an estimated number of hours. State the tax basis, a spending limit and when you will check in.
Agree the quote before starting. If the brief changes, propose the added time and cost before doing that work. A rate alone does not define the whole job.
Put the rate into a clear agreement
Say you are quoting a small illustration job. The amounts below are chosen USD examples, before any applicable tax.
Describe the work
One illustration and two review rounds. List the files you will supply. Say whether meetings and revisions use the estimated hours.
Give the rate and limit
USD $90 per hour, estimated six to eight hours. Propose an eight-hour cap of USD $720. State the tax treatment and agree what happens at the cap.
Set an early checkpoint
Check in at six hours, or USD $540. Show progress and the hours remaining. Pause at the cap unless the client agrees to more work.
Agree billing and acceptance
Record the due date and how the client accepts. Confirm the payment schedule and billing contact. Keep the accepted scope and terms with your project records.
A quote you can adapt
“My rate is USD $90 per hour for one illustration and two review rounds. I estimate six to eight hours, capped at USD $720 before applicable tax. I will check in at six hours and pause at the cap unless you approve more time. Please confirm the scope, billing terms and tax treatment before I start.”
| Point | Hours × rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Progress check | 6 × $90 | $540 |
| Agreed cap | 8 × $90 | $720 |
| Room after checkpoint | 2 × $90 | $180 |
A checkpoint is a conversation trigger, not permission to exceed the cap. Use TimeLodge to record hours against the agreed budget, then check progress before the remaining time runs out.
When one small change adds more hours
Say the client adds another illustration. You estimate two extra hours. At USD $90 per hour, propose USD $180 more and a new ten-hour cap of USD $900, before applicable tax.
- Describe the added deliverable separately from corrections already included in the original scope.
- Send a clear proposal: “The extra illustration adds up to two hours at USD $90 per hour. I propose a new total cap of USD $900 and delivery on Friday instead of Thursday. Please confirm before I begin the addition.”
- Keep the original agreement and the accepted change. If the client declines, confirm the original deliverable and cap still apply.
- Record the agreed extra work in TimeLodge. Review the hours and agreed charges before preparing the invoice.
Check the current guidance
- business.gov.au: prepare a contractFee structure, tax basis, payment terms and agreed changes.
- business.gov.au: prepare quotesDefine the work and charges clearly before acceptance.
- business.gov.au: types of contractsKeep written evidence of the terms each party agrees to.