The art of negotiating a fixed fee for sub contracted work

[minestrone]

So you have an item of work to do and you contact someone who advertises as a freelancer, you want the job to be fixed fee but the role has an element of visual design work so really pricing could be totally subjective.

You lay out the basics of what the job contains and the first question they ask is "so what is your budget for this"

I do have a budget but i'm buggered if I am telling him and obviously I would like to get him to lay down a price first.

I am unused to dealing with this side of the table and in jobs that are not time and fee.

[Spacecadet]

He's the seller, just tell him to give you a quote
Asking what your budget is the most obvious trick in the book

The problem with fixed price work though is that scope creep will usually mean having to renegotiate prices further down the line so remember to get a day quote as well so any extra work can be budgeted in.

[Moscow Mule]

You lay out the basics of what the job contains and the first question they ask is "so what is your budget for this"

Answer = half of your actual budget.

[doodab]

You lay out the basics of what the job contains and the first question they ask is "so what is your budget for this"

I do have a budget but i'm buggered if I am telling him and obviously I would like to get him to lay down a price first.

If he's been a freelance creative for a while he will have a rate already. Otherwise you get to set it.

Halve your budget, knock off the last digit and tell him it's a rush job.

[minestrone]

Answer = half of your actual budget.

I would have to butcher the pig myself then.

[minestrone]

If he's been a freelance creative for a while he will have a rate already. Otherwise you get to set it.

I'm thinking of telling him that we want to pay upfront for a concept then decide where to take it from there.

[Halo Jones]

Write a scope detailing exactly what you want, include a set number of design meetings / revisions, get a quote.

Agree a day rate but make sure that it is only claimed for on true variations.

Once you have his quote go back to him & say "thanks I’m just comparing your tender to another, once the comparison is done I’ll call you" if he feels he has over cooked the price he may offer a discount there & then. But get a 2nd quote anyhow.

[Halo Jones]

I'm thinking of telling him that we want to pay upfront for a concept then decide where to take it from there.

Make sure that in your contract / order to him you claim the rights to the concept so that it can be worked upon by A.N. Other

[Churchill]

Write a scope detailing exactly what you want, include a set number of design meetings / revisions, get a quote.

Agree a day rate but make sure that it is only claimed for on true variations.

Once you have his quote go back to him & say "thanks I’m just comparing your tender to another, once the comparison is done I’ll call you" if he feels he has over cooked the price he may offer a discount there & then. But get a 2nd quote anyhow.

Put the kettle on love, I'd could murder a cup of tea!

[Board Game Geek]

Put the kettle on love, I'd could murder a cup of tea!

Huh ?