Rush Fees

RUSH FEES

Rush fees are typically charged when your client has an unreasonably tight deadline.

Consider charging a rush fee when...⁣

1. You will have to work outside of normal business hours. (e.g. 8 hour days, Monday - Friday)
2. You will have to move timelines of other projects.⁣
3. The client’s deadline will cause you “pain” (cancel existing plans, stay up all night etc.)⁣

A tight deadline is your client's problem. It is ok to charge them a premium to make it your problem.

Start your "rush fee" at 50% markup and go up from there.
"Time and a half" is a common wage for overtime hours.

The more "painful" the deadline is, the higher the "rush fee" you should charge.
Cancel your annual family vacation to hit the client's deadline.

Add your "rush fee" as a separate line item on your proposal.

A "rush fee," presented as a separate line item, often reveals that the client wasn't really in a rush.

Your expertise and time have value. Never feel bad about your rush fee or price.⁣