Keeping Track of Billiable Time | |
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Keep a clock nearby, set up a log sheet near your working area. Keep track of minutes or hours of work on each project. Always have a calendar near the working area to keep track of due dates. Wilma Hardenburgh, Missoula Montana __________________ I have never been able to bill anyone by the hour, even when designing web sites or things that are purely graphic design. Clients nearly always want a flat rate on jobs. I have numerous things that I keep records of, but time is not one unless it is a very large and complicated project. Then I am keeping record of expenses as well. Most important to me is a "To Do" list, which I update daily when busy, or weekly when it is slow. When I have large projects I sometimes break the projects down into stages and it helps me get started. Second in line is a calendar, in book form (week at a glance), laying by the phone where I write down who I talk to, when and what about as well as who calls and leaves messages, appointments, etc. Jill Bell __________________ If you are doing your projects for fun, then charging the same, for each task is OK (Like the album I have just finished for my friend's daughter. A labour of love, which I have spent much time over and really enjoyed as a treat/task for myself. Which will be my present to the bride, no charge) A good workman deserves his pay and if a practitioner charged the same for every job, then it is not fair on those who are trying to make a living from their work. I was taught to keep a timesheet, way back in my college days, and have ever since. It is a good practise to get into, doesn't take much effort, and builds up an idea of how much time you take to complete a certain sort of task. Catherine/Tiggy, Scotland __________________ I've found a nifty little mini-app for my computer (which sits near all my calligraphy stuff) that I use to calcuate time. Additionally, there's a new shareware program ($25) out that the programmer describes as such: "TimeSheet Calculator 3.2 contains 3 great time utilities. Time Calculator - A calculator for adding/subtracting time. TimeSheet Calculator - Input your punches in/out to calculate the hours worked and money earned in 1 or more days. PunchClock - Punch in and out as you work. Print an invoice and bill your client when you're done." For anyone who's interested this is the link to The Timesheet Calculator: "(Freeware) Version 2.0 now calculates Hours/Minutes or Hours/Minutes/Seconds" http://www.novatime.com/download_utilities.htm (not available for MACs) Kate Barefield __________________ I'm on the end of the spectrum that looks at the job, sets a price and doesn't look at the clock very often. I can judge what people have in mind and I show them my range. I am always saying, "This costs the most because it takes the longest to do. This costs less because I can do it faster." People totally understand. As the jobs come in I pencil in (on a calendar) the days I plan on doing the actual work as well as the due date. That way, I am booking my time and I can see how full the calendar is. If I have a $300 envelope job, I pencil in 3 days at $100 each. Jean/Ellen Wilson __________________ Time sheets: I have kept time sheets only sometimes. They have helped me a great deal in learning how to bid a job. There are times now when I don't keep them anymore, because they take time in themselves, but keeping track of my time has been very instructive and I still do it occasionally. Cari Ferraro | |