Hourly rate for Independents

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Author Message Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 530 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 03:22 pm:    I don't remember if this question has been asked or if anyone will answer it, but I am curious what Independent Spec Writers are billing for their services these days - primarily in regards to additional services - I'll share - we bill out at $200/hr - don't ask how I got that number, but no one seems to object to it...anyone else care to share? Interestingly enough I spoke to another Independent recently, also based in Florida who recently became independent and his hourly rate seemed way to low, esp. since he is older than Ralph...yes there are still active specwriters in this country that are older than Ralph, anyway when I questioned him on this he countered that he did not think his part of the state would tolerate higher rates...bs to that...he has since increased his rate. Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI Senior Member Username: rliebing Post Number: 819 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 03:39 pm:    See, "old dogs CAN learn new tracks". When I'm really, really. really old, I hope to make it to Florida [by an conveyance available], so I can call you and bother you on the phone!!! [but then you might charge me $200/hr, too] And since I am not sure you know just HOW OLD I am, I bet he really is NOT older!!! Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 536 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 03:55 pm:    75? Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 537 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 04:00 pm:    Ralph for you and only you I would consider a senior discount.... Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI Senior Member Username: rliebing Post Number: 820 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 04:12 pm:    NO Melissa J. Aguiar, CSI, CCS, SCIP Senior Member Username: melissaaguiar Post Number: 87 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 04:19 pm:    Jerome, sounds like I need to move to your part of the neighborhood! 200 per hour, jeeze. I would love to bill that! I am lucky to get 75 an hour here at times. If it gets higher than that they seem to complain about how expensive I am. Although, I just had an architect give me 300.00 for one section I did for him as an "emergency" situation. I had to stop everything and do a re-roofing section for him on a project he forgot to do until last minute. I was not going to charge him but he sent me a check for it anyway. I thought that was nice. Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 538 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 04:31 pm:    Melissa I used to charge under 100, than I found out about another spec writer who was not a licensed architect nor CCS and was charging 150, and getting it...that changed my mind...I don't bill out Additional Services often, maybe the higher rate keeps clients from abusing me, but in the case where work must be performed at an hourly rate, this number is acceptable right now...I also do a lot of freebies for clients, rather than the expense of billing out for a half hour here and there, clients seem to appreciate that and I stay busy year round without marketing services....but it is also true I work way too many hours. Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 539 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 04:34 pm:    Melissa Florida is a strange market, many of the products specified in other parts of the country don't work here and getting the work is not easy, I have been fortunate to have been in this business for a long time as an architect before becoming a dedicated specwriter and I have a great reputation, so getting the work is not a problem...getting paid, now that's a problem. Melissa J. Aguiar, CSI, CCS, SCIP Senior Member Username: melissaaguiar Post Number: 88 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 05:05 pm:    Understand completely. I love it here anyway. I worked for my mentor, Ms. Hays for 11 years or more before going out on my own here. We work together to keep up with demand and we stay really busy as well. I understand about getting paid! My accounts receivable ledger looks great on paper but not in my wallet that is for sure! Have a great day. Mel