I have attached a document which I think GEM issued in 2004 with regard to setting freelance rates. I think this covers the basics of why a freelancer/consultant fee can appear quite high.as a freelancer in the museum sector I think I can say that we all try to keep our costs as low as possible but in reality our overheads can be quite expensive and this must be reflected in the charges we make.Nigel Sadler
Sands of Time Consultancy
http://www.sandsoftimeconsultancy.com
From: Alison Bodley <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Friday, 14 January, 2011 13:37:31
Subject: Freelance rates
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + GEM list: Contact the list owner for assistance at [log in to unmask] For information about joining, leaving and suspending mail (eg during a holiday) see the list website at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=GEM + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +Hi,
I’ve just been keeping my eyes on freelance rates and talking to a few freelancer friends. Some contracts are around £100 a day.
It might seem like a fair sum that is similar to what you would pay an employee or contract staff but I was just wondering if the rest of the sector is aware, that by the time a freelancer takes their costs out of this it’s not far off the minimum wage. And yet I am assuming that museums are wanting to employ fairly experienced people for these roles.
Most Freelancers need to allow for:
· Office costs
· Public indemnity Insurance
· Professional Indemnity Insurance
· Pension – no employers contribution
· Sick leave
· Holiday leave
· Training
· Time for preparing applications and attending interview
· Expenses in the brief that a normal employee would get such as travel
· Risk of not being employed all the time
I am sure other freelancers can add to this. We all know times are tough, but I just thought I would raise the issue.
Ali Bodley
Heritage Consultant
01904 637339
07884444675
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + GEM list: Contact the list owner for assistance at [log in to unmask] For information about joining, leaving and suspending mail (eg during a holiday) see the list website at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=GEM + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +