If you are self-employed/ freelance, what do you do and what is your rate?

[LoveMyJackRussells]

I’m interested because I know it’s a way many parents, and especially mothers choose to work for the flexibility. And the tradesman day rate thread was interesting too. Given the cost of living and labour shortages, I wonder if rates are generally on the rise?

I’m happy to start. I’m a clinical psychologist (paediatric specialism) and my fee is £130 an hour. I don’t charge for every hour I work. About a quarter of my time is admin/ CPD. I am also employed in a long-term university research project for 1.5 days a week, which is fun but pays much less.

Other self employed I know about (because we pay them) are:

Cleaner (16/hour)
Gardener (25/hour)
Golf coach (50/ hour)
Counsellor (45/hour)
OT (90/hour)
Gundog trainer (90/hour)

Charity administrator - I charge £17 per hour.

I analyse and deliver complex engineering systems. I charge between £75 and £90 an hour. Sometimes they are short jobs. Sometimes they go on for years.

Hi @yogaretreat
do you mind me asking how you built a network to get into consultancy like this? (Particularly without your current employer knowing about it).

I am currently in a position very similar to @Greenfairydust and fed up of having to do everything, regardless of whether it is in my skillset and without the wage to match all the work!

Thank you

@Evamaisie
I didn't do it like that, I was employed in house as a head of marketing. I had some requests from former bosses to help them with projects, I fancied a different pace of life other than long working days in the office so I just quit my job and started my business the next day. That was 6 years ago. I posted on LinkedIn I was free for contract work and I've always had work since then. Having a strong niche has helped me as I have a reputation now.

I have two different freelance businesses

1. tutoring £38 p/h
2. publishing which I charge £30–40 p/h depending on the work

In any given day I probably manage 4 hours paid at these rates and then am doing unpaid admin/CPD/prep. I am gradually starting to add an admin charge for projects as some require a hell of a lot of back and forth emailing etc.

Interesting, thank you

I've always been quite a risk taker, I had a very fast progression at work so I was young to start a business. Maybe youth made me more fearless.

Best of luck to you

Self-employed friends charge:
• counsellor £40ph
• children's music teacher (piano, etc) £45ph one on one, but she will teach for shorter lengths of time too if asked
• beautician from £30-60ph depending on what it is - nails, skin treatments, massage... used to do home visits but it was costing a fortune in petrol, so now rents a room in a beauty salon