Freelance proofreading - what should I charge?

[MsFrazzles]

I work in the editing/publications field as my full-time job, and have recently been approached and offered some freelance proofreading work 'on the side'. This is great, as ultimately I'd like to strike out on my own and go freelance full-time.

However they have asked me my hourly rate, and I'm not sure what to say as I've only ever worked in-house before. What would be a reasonable rate for someone who is experienced but has not built up a name for themself as a freelancer? Also, I have no idea how long they expect the work to take. Is there a general guide to words per hour for a decent proofreader?

I have paid between £12-£20 per hour for proofreading. No idea how they work out the cost.

The society of editors and proofreaders has a rate card on their website. It's always worth asking for a sample pre-Quote so you know how much work needs to be done.

Depends on the job, how many words per hour you can proofread, what kind of text it is...

The SfEP has recommended minimum rates on its website - but not everyone gets those rates! It also suggests that you can proofread at about 2500 words per hour. However, always ask for a sample for each job so you can give an accurate quote. If you're already experienced, though, you could charge more than a newbie.