74 replies to this topic

[vasso]

Hi Hans,

 

Thanks for replying.

 

What I mean is what would be a reasonable price for producing the map when commissioned to do so by another company, as a freelance cartographer.

My responsibilities will also be to design new icons based on photographs and to "antique" the map.

 

I'm just a bit confused as to how to cost it. Do you have any idea what a reasonable range would be?

[Hans van der Maarel]

I take it you mean icons of touristy buildings based on photos? More pictures than icons? That sounds like there's a pretty big design effort involved, which would be reflected in the price.

 

A short version of the process is:

- Try and determine how many hours you'd spend on it.

- Try and determine your hourly rate

- Add in a little margin for uncertainties

 

It isn't always that easy though. Especially that first step, trying to determine how long it's going to take you, requires a great deal of prior experience.

[vasso]

Thanks great help!

 

Yes it will be more pictures than icons, but I think I'd better cost this differently than the actual map and give the client a price with and without the icons' design.

 

My biggest problem is to determine an hourly rate.

 

Is there an hourly rate that you would suggest or a range of hourly rates that cartographers usually charge?

I understand that this is a difficult question, but any indication would help greatly at this stage.

Bear in mind that until now I have worked as an employee in Greece which is why I don't have clear opinion about it.

I am now based in London.

If I had an indication it would help me to do my adjustments.

 

Thanks again Hans!

[ErinGreb]

I've seen anything from $25 to $70 US depending on the complexity of the work, and the skill level of the cartographer.

[François Goulet]

I take it you mean icons of touristy buildings based on photos? More pictures than icons? That sounds like there's a pretty big design effort involved, which would be reflected in the price.

 

A short version of the process is:

- Try and determine how many hours you'd spend on it.

- Try and determine your hourly rate

- Add in a little margin for uncertainties

 

It isn't always that easy though. Especially that first step, trying to determine how long it's going to take you, requires a great deal of prior experience.

 

My uncertainty margin is 1.5 the time I think it will take. It's usually ok to compensate my tendency to underestimate the time it will take me and a couple of corrections asked by the client.

 

As for an hourly rate, you could start by what you think would be a good hourly rate if you where working for someone else (on payroll).

I read an article (I need to find it back), saying that you can take that rate and multiply it by no less that 1.8. And as you gain experience, that ratio is going to be higher.

 

So let say you had 20$/h , you need to charge at least 36$/h. with the extra 16$, you'll pay insurance, cover your sick days (that are going to be unpaid...), office furnitures, ... It also take into account that you won't always be working 40 hours a week... 

 

At least, it make sense when I read it...

 

It's not exactly that one, but it could help: http://www.zerogravity.com.au/blog/2009/05/freelance-3d-how-to-determine-an-hourly-rate/

[vasso]

Thanks a lot to all of you, for the immediate and valuable support.

I really appreciate.

I look forward to being an active member of this forum.

 

Have a great weekend Hans, Erin and Francois!

[David Medeiros]

I forget the issue but Cartographic Perspectives from NACIS had an article on determining your rate a few issues back. You could search through here:

 

http://www.nacis.org/index.cfm?x=5

[Hans van der Maarel]

I didn't know it was available online already. Here's the article: http://nacis.org/doc...anderMaarel.pdf

[vasso]

I am afraid I don't have access to the nacis files. I am not a member to the organization at the moment...

[Hans van der Maarel]

I am afraid I don't have access to the nacis files. I am not a member to the organization at the moment...

 

They're actually open to everybody.

[Michael Schmeling]

I am getting a 'page cannot be found' error. Is the link correct?

[Hans van der Maarel]

Yes, but it can be a bit... cranky... If you copy and paste the link in a new browser window or tab it should work.

[Michael Schmeling]

Ok, got it. Thanks!

[vasso]

Yes, but it can be a bit... cranky... If you copy and paste the link in a new browser window or tab it should work.

 

Got it too. thanks!

[vasso]

I forget the issue but Cartographic Perspectives from NACIS had an article on determining your rate a few issues back. You could search through here:

 

http://www.nacis.org/index.cfm?x=5

Thanks David!