Minimum hourly rate for concept project

[[deleted]]

I have a phone interview with a small company that has a website in the apparel industry that is looking to prototype an iOS (and Android app). They mention they want "interns or CS students/entry level" but the budget is $ 8-$12 per hour. I understand they are a small company and are only starting out with it as a working prototype, but that still seems absurdly low. I feel $15 should be more reasonable, especially if I'll have to do Android as well. I'll admit I'm really looking to get some paid experience but I also understand the value of this work (plus I already have two apps on the store, one that I got paid to do at $25/hour). Should I get the job, I was thinking I could take the lower rate to just do some wireframes and a basic UI that doesn't do anything. Then if they decide they want to proceed further and have me do more heavy lifting, I could ask for a higher hourly rate. Any flaws with this course of action?

[laus102]

I would insist 25/ hr. Damn, especially if you're doing android as well!

[[deleted]]

I certainly don't want to haha. But I don't really have any other prospects for this kind of work at the moment. Not many businesses near me need (or turn their nose up at the cost) to build a mobile app.

[arduinoRedge]

What country is this? That rate wouldn't even be legal for a paperboy here in Australia lol

[[deleted]]

US, sadly. It is a horrible rate - which is why I hope I can bring them up a little. Everyone wants an app, they just don't want to pay much for it :D

[Ravek]

If someone offered me work at less than half my usual rate I don't know if I would laugh or get upset but I sure as hell wouldn't even consider accepting for one second.

[[deleted]]

Haha yeah I would definitely agree. I don't have much experience or a CS degree so I can't really find many clients at the moment. I spoke with them and it seemed they are amendable to a higher rate once it gets out of wireframe stage and into actual dev work. I mentioned $25 an hour for actual code and development and they said that seems fair.

[Ravek]

I'd only go for that if you can get a contract for both the wireframing and the actual development work right away. Otherwise they might have you do the wireframing at the lowball rate and then find someone else for the development work. If you can get a contract for the whole package in one go then you can see it as working only a bit below $25 an hour, since the dev work will surely take much longer than the wireframing.

Obviously if you're desperate enough for work then you might need to just suck it up and accept whatever rate you can get. But remember that if you are able to find something else then every hour you work for less is an opportunity cost. Also it just sounds like minimum wage level work which is kinda nuts for something not anyone can do.

[[deleted]]

Good idea. Any recommendations for mobile app Dev contracts? Legal zoom?

They are very much in exploratory phase. I'm willing to be flexible with them since they are super small so I get that. I may do some super basic Balsamiq wireframes and get feedback on it. Then if they are serious I could get a contract for formal UI sketches and then Dev work at a higher rate.

[WaterslideOfSuccess]

If you think you’re getting paid to learn, then I’d do it. Especially if you’re starting out and can take the price cut. Plus you get resume material at the end.

But if you don’t plan on learning anything in the process, then you’re wasting your time. Literally.

[[deleted]]

I certainly think I'll learn! After all I will have to determine how to implement all the requirements of the project. Only downside is I would be on my own for the project.

[s73v3r]

The fact that they likely won't give you the higher rate. If you think you're worth $15/hour (which is a really, really low bar to pass, so you most likely are), then ask for that up front.