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Lady not charging enough for Christmas window

5 replies

Christmaswindows123 · 11/12/2025 17:31

Someone advertised window painting for decorative Christmas windows. We had a bit of chat back and forth and agreed for her to come. She charges £65. She’s been here for five hours and is coming back tomorrow and the level of detail is WAY better than I expected and the amount of effort is way more. I can give a bit more happily and I’ve told her she’s not charging enough, we are talking central London stop in the street and say OMG how amazing level.

what do I do without offending her?

when I said she wasn’t charging enough she said she was getting back into it and happy to try but I feel like I’m ripping her off.

should I try and give her more money?

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MyThreeWords · 11/12/2025 18:10

If you check out the freelance rates for creative roles, using various checkers online, you'll probably find that typical rates for comparable work are something like £50 per hour or more.
So I guess that, once you move away from the crazily low rate she is charging, you would have to offer substantially more, rather than just a token uplift. Are you ready/able to do that? If not, perhaps better to stick with her rate, rather than offering something tokenistic in addition.

Bear in mind that the minimum wage isn't a credible starting point - freelancers get none of the benefits (pension and NI contributions, sick pay, etc) or continuity of work that employees have, so their hourly rate has to reflect this

Disturbia81 · 11/12/2025 17:45

Sortalike · 11/12/2025 17:33

I'd offer more, but I'd also sing her praises on social media so she builds up a client base

Yes big tip and social media feedback

PuzzlingRecluse · 11/12/2025 17:33

This is so lovely I agree with pp give as a ‘tip’

ps can you share a pic when it’s done?

Sortalike · 11/12/2025 17:33

I'd offer more, but I'd also sing her praises on social media so she builds up a client base

DurinsBane · 11/12/2025 17:33

Maybe give her more as a ‘tip’, because you were so pleased with her work?