Project quote calculator
Build a defensible project estimate in 60 seconds. Break the project into phases, apply complexity and a contingency buffer — exactly how senior freelancers price.
Settings
Project phases
Frequently asked questions
How do I quote a freelance project?＋
The senior-freelancer formula is: estimate hours per phase, multiply by your hourly rate, then apply a complexity multiplier (×1.0 simple → ×1.8 rush) and a contingency buffer (10-25%). The Swishr Quote Calculator does this math line-by-line so you can defend the number.
What's a complexity multiplier?＋
A complexity multiplier inflates your base estimate to account for unfamiliar work, new tech stacks, or tight deadlines. Use ×1.0 for familiar work, ×1.2 for some unknowns, ×1.5 for new stacks with scope-creep risk, ×1.8 for rush + complex projects.
What contingency should I add to a fixed-price quote?＋
10-25% contingency is standard for fixed-price freelance work. Lower contingency on familiar work; higher on first-time clients or projects with unclear briefs. The buffer covers scope creep, late client deliveries, and bad-debt write-offs.
Should I quote hourly or fixed-price?＋
Fixed-price quotes align incentives with the client and let you bill for value, not time. Hourly quotes shield you from scope creep but create distrust. Most senior freelancers quote fixed-price for clear-scope projects and hourly for ambiguous or open-ended work.
Can I turn the calculator output into a real proposal?＋
Yes — Swishr Desk's AI proposal generator takes your numbers and writes a fully branded proposal in ~47 seconds. Sign up free, plug in your phase breakdown, and the AI builds the rest.