Project Pricing Calculator
Compares three pricing methods side by side: hourly-based, value-based, and package pricing. Outputs a recommended project price with profit margin for each method so you can select the approach that fits the engagement.
Freelance - Project Pricing Calculator.xlsx
Excel (.xlsx) — No macros — Works in Excel, Google Sheets, LibreOffice
What This Spreadsheet Solves
- Inconsistent project quotes that leave money on the table
- No framework to compare hourly vs. value-based vs. package pricing
- Scope creep eroding profitability on fixed-bid projects
- Difficulty communicating pricing rationale to clients
- Underestimating time and materials required for a project
Who This Is For
- Freelancers quoting fixed-price projects
- Creative professionals packaging services into tiers
- Web developers building proposals with multiple pricing options
- Marketing consultants structuring retainer-to-project transitions
Inputs
- #Estimated hours to complete
- $Hourly rate
- $Materials and tool costs
- $Estimated client value of deliverable
- %Risk/complexity buffer
Outputs
- Hourly-method project price
- Value-based project price
- Package-method project price
- Profit margin per method
- Recommended price (weighted average)
- Effective hourly rate per method
How Calculations Work
The hourly method multiplies estimated hours by your rate and adds materials plus a complexity buffer. The value-based method takes a percentage of the estimated client value. The package method bundles deliverables into tiers with fixed prices. The calculator shows the profit margin and effective hourly rate for each approach so you can choose or blend methods.
Example Use Case
Scenario: A web developer estimates 60 hours at $100/hr, $500 in hosting/tools, a 15% complexity buffer, and the client expects $50,000 in revenue from the new site.
Result: Hourly method: $7,425. Value-based (15% of client value): $7,500. Package tier: $8,000. Recommended blended price: $7,642. Effective hourly rate ranges from $124 to $133.
What You Get — 5 Sheets
Technical Details
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use value-based pricing?
When the client's expected ROI is significantly higher than your cost to deliver. Common in consulting, marketing, and revenue-generating projects.
What is a reasonable complexity buffer?
10-20% for well-defined projects, 25-40% for ambiguous scope or new technology.
How do I estimate client value?
Ask the client what revenue, savings, or efficiency they expect. If they cannot quantify it, default to hourly or package pricing.
Can I mix methods in one proposal?
Yes. Many freelancers present all three as options (Good/Better/Best) and let the client choose.
Should I show the client my hourly rate?
Only if using hourly-method pricing. For value-based and package pricing, present the total price without hourly breakdown.
Download Project Pricing Calculator
Ready to use immediately. Enter your data in the INPUT sheet, see results in OUTPUT.