iamlost - 5:44 am on Nov 13, 2004 (gmt 0)

What does that client do for his/her clients for "free"?

The more you do for "nothing" the more you will be asked to do for "nothing". So I do nothing for nothing.

Anything and everything that falls within my "business" scope is billable. I will do work for registered charities in return for a donation tax receipt in lieu of normal payment but that is not doing it for "free".

I work by contract following an accepted proposal. Any additional request, however minor, generates a change order accepted and signed before work is commenced and an additional charge billed. A business like approach and a good contract eliminates scope creep and minimises attempted abuse.

The time to work out a proposal is "free" in the sense that I do not charge it separately (and do not get all proposals accepted) but the time is factored into the proposal cost structure and reflected in the quoted price.

Travel costs are costs and must be billed - call a lawyer to come across town to your office for a meeting and then view the itemised billing you get: the travel time will be there. Are you less of a professional? I'm not.

Yes you have to do visits to acquire the information needed - and it should/must be included in your pricing. I do not recommend "itemising" as it leads to conflict. An overall contract price for a specified project is the best, but if necessary an hourly rate must allow for all costs (including travel).

Some people charge for wages only, no allowance for any expenses while others bill at 2-5 times that amount - allowing for wages plus all business overhead/operating expenses. The first (wages only) person may have lots of clients but the second (wages plus expenses) will still be in business long after the first is forgotten.

You must take the time to determine all operating costs, for the business generally and the project specifically. You must take the time to write detailed proposals followed by detailed contracts. You must decide if you are a contractor or an employee.