How to Charge a Freelance Rush Fee

As a freelancer, a client may sometimes request that you complete a project unusually early. In these cases, you may decide to charge a “rush fee” – an additional payment for completing work with a tighter than normal deadline. 

Of course, it’s up to you whether to charge a rush fee – or even accept the job. Read on to learn more about rush fees and what you need to know as a freelancer.

When to Charge a Rush Fee

Every freelancer will have different criteria for what constitutes a rush job. For some, it’s any job with a deadline of less than 24 hours. For others, it’s a job that requires more time than normal to complete. Generally, if you have to shift your existing work to meet a tight deadline (and your own high standards), a project is considered a rush job.

Once you’ve determined that a project qualifies as a rush job, how much of an extra fee to charge is up you. Many freelancers charge a percentage of their usual project fee – the tighter the deadline, the higher the percentage. Some like to charge a higher flat fee to discourage clients from requesting faster turnaround times, while others evaluate rush projects on a case-by-case basis. 

Ultimately, it’s important to consider your own workload and capacity when calculating the rush fee and deciding which projects to take on.

How to Charge Clients a Rush Fee

Many freelancers worry about how to address rush fees because they don’t want to discourage clients from working with them. However, as a freelancer, it’s important to remember that your services and time are valuable – and many businesses charge a higher rate for faster delivery. 

You should never apologize to a client for charging rush fees. As long as you’re reasonable and polite in all your interactions, your client will likely understand and be grateful that you’re accepting the work. After all, they’re asking you to go above and beyond your normal services, so they should expect to pay more for fast, high-quality results.

Are you still unsure about charging a rush fee, especially for first-time clients? You might consider telling them that while you typically charge a higher rate for faster delivery, you’re willing to waive it for first-time clients as a courtesy. This way, you’re building a positive relationship with them as a new client, but they know your expectations for tight deadlines in the future.

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