why we do not work hourly

We often are asked to provide an hourly rate for our services.  To most of our clients this seems a fair way to engage design services with us.  The follow are the reasons we do not work hourly.

1.      We want to hear from our clients.  We want the opportunity to get to know our clients and this is difficult if the meter is running.  When our clients see new things or new ideas are presented, we want to be engaged in that process. 

2.      What happens when we misunderstand the request of assignment? Client do not feel it fair to pay hourly to have us revise the drawings to meet their expectations. It is on us to make corrections and perfect the design per our clients liking.

3.      Pressure. Designing on the clock can add unwanted pressure to produce within the confines of the hourly rate quoted.  It becomes very limiting and ridged.

4.      What did you do for the hours you billed us?  If work is performed hourly, then it should be observed.  We would not hire anyone to just work without the ability to observe their performance. 

5.      True hour for hour worked.  The hour is always interrupted, to be fair the time should be broken down to 15-minute segments. One thought or interruption can be a rabbit hole unrelated to the design.

6.       Design Process, time to marinate. Design work is done over a period of time.  We need to come in and out from the project.  It needs to rest and be revisited. Some ideas happen during the act of making and others happen as we experience and are influenced throughout the day and week.  We do not sit down and work on the project for a set number of hours and then it is complete. 

Working for a fee helps keep us honest, nimble, and we share in the burden of the design experience. Helps us feel a part of your project instead of a hired gun.  Working for a fee helps everyone know what they can expect to pay for our services, allows us freedom to work as long and hard as we wish.  Most designers are very much into the design and will give you way more than what you will pay for if they are given the freedom to work without constraint.