Pricing guide
Hourly vs Project vs Retainer Pricing
The best model is the one that matches the work.
Compare common service pricing models without pretending one model is always more mature.
Run the calculatorThe comparison
Hourly fits uncertainty. Project fits clear deliverables. Retainer fits recurring access or capacity with boundaries.
The better move
Choose the model after checking scope clarity, revision risk, support, and effective hourly floor.
A practical way to use this guide
Start with one real offer, client, or pricing decision instead of a generic average. Write down the current price, the work included, the unpaid time around delivery, and the payment timing. Then run the linked calculator using conservative inputs. The goal is not to get a perfect number; it is to see which assumption has the most power over profit.
The result can mislead you if the scope is vague, the client pays late, support work is not counted, or the price is being compared without taxes and owner pay. When the calculator exposes a weak price, the next step is usually to change scope, terms, or delivery rules before changing the headline price.