Poll: Average Project Time
Over the past few months, I’ve been finding all types of new and exciting clients, with new and exciting projects. One of the things that I’ve noticed is the variety of projects that are out there. From quick projects – “The easiest $50 you’ll ever make” – to longer term projects, with multiple sections spanning a few months. FYI – the $50 project was completed very quickly, the payment – still waiting!
For some reason, I’ve always felt the need to compare my results with those around me. It’s not to be competitive, but more to ensure that I am not leaving anything on the table. I want to ensure that I am providing as much value to my clients as possible.
So my question to you, dear freelancers, is what is your average project time to completion? Not including the initial negotiations of what will be done and what will be paid, but the actual time you spend working on a project, from the moment you start until the final file is sent to the client.
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The average project usually lasts 1 month to finish and another one to receive assets and complete. That’s always a problem, getting the last set of assets for the site.
I feel like people in my position that both design and develop websites, are slightly cursed in the fact that the projects usually take 40+ hours. I enjoy the fact that I can easily build strong relationships with my clients, but some times I wish for a slightly faster pace.
Does anyone else feel like this?
I work on fairly short-term projects, one article at a time. I can usually complete them in well under an hour; sometimes, if I know the topic well, under half an hour.
I do write have a couple of long term writing assignments for different clients. One requires ten blog posts a week. That one usually takes me about five hours to polish off, because my client invariably wants me to research topics I’ve never heard of before. It’s kind of fun, but also slow going.
Another long term project is some basic editing for another freelancer working on a book. Since the writer is talented and pretty careful, I can usually finish that in under two hours.
I’m looking forward to expanding my business and getting some projects of different lengths. Hopefully by this time next year, I’ll have a very different answer to your question!
odd.. I was just thinking about this today. I was looking at some estimates from other graphic designers and I had to ask myself… do they just work that fast or are they working for minimum wage? It’s good to see that it seems like I’m on par for the most part… which means, people need to start charging more.
c’mon people. You’re making me look bad.
Not sure, for all I know I think I’ve been working on the same project since 2006
As I do $5 Logo designs, my time can not exceed 1 hour. Though I do have the occasional client wanting to make sure he gets his $5 worth.
c’mon people. You’re making me look bad.