Client Rate Card Builder

What belongs on a rate card

A rate card is your standard prices, grouped the way you actually sell: a section for one-off design work, one for development, one for ongoing retainers, whatever matches your business. Each service gets a short name, an optional line of detail, and a price with a unit: per hour, per day, per project, per month, or a starting (“from”) price for anything that scales with scope. This tool never suggests what to charge; every number on the page is one you typed in yourself.

When to share it

The most common moment is first contact: someone asks what you charge, and a rate card answers that in one document instead of a paragraph typed out from memory each time. The other common moment is an annual price review: update the numbers once, print or export a new version, and send it to prospects going forward without touching what existing clients were already quoted.

Using “from” pricing

Fixed-scope services (a logo, a one-page site) usually take a flat price. Work that varies a lot job to job (custom development, a multi-page site) is often clearer as a “from” price: it sets an honest floor without pretending every project costs the same. Save the custom unit option for anything that doesn’t fit the built-in list, like “per session” or “per seat.”

Need a one-off quote for a specific job instead of standing rates? A pro forma invoice covers that: a preliminary price for approval, not a bill or a bookkeeping record.

What this is, and what it isn’t

This builds a rate card, not a bill for a specific job: it lists what you charge in general, before there’s a project to invoice. Nothing you type is uploaded anywhere; the document is built in this browser tab, on your own device, and saved only in this browser’s local storage so it’s still here next time you open the page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I show different rates to different clients?

This tool builds one rate card at a time. If you charge different rates to different clients, either build separate rate cards for each, or use this as your standard public rate card and discuss custom rates privately with clients who need different pricing.

Should I include setup fees or retainer rates?

Yes. Use the “Custom unit” field to add any pricing structure that does not fit the built-in units (per hour, per day, per project, per month, or “from”). Examples include “per retainer”, “per setup”, or “per session”.

Can I update the rates on an existing rate card?

Yes. Edit the numbers in the form and the preview updates live. Once you are happy with the new version, print or export it as a fresh PDF. Old versions are not tracked, so keep a dated file if you need history.

What does “from” pricing mean?

“From” pricing sets a floor without saying every project costs the same. Use it for work that scales with scope, like custom development or a website. It tells a prospect you have a base price but the final cost may be higher depending on what they need.

Should I print this or email it as a PDF?

Either works. Print to PDF so the formatting stays exact. Email the PDF or share a link if you want the client to have a copy. The file is self-contained and does not need a server.

Related tools

• Invoice generator: once a client accepts your rates and the work is done, this bills it, with line items, tax, and a total ready to send.
• Pro forma invoice generator: need a one-off quote for a specific job before it’s agreed? This turns a single piece of work into an approvable price without touching your standing rates.