At the Two Minute Commute noel is inviting his readers to answer the question: What is Your Best Freelance Project Quoting Secret?
I've decided to answer noel's question right here for you, the Work From Home Momma reader.
My freelance project quoting secret is not really so secret. In fact, to some it might even seem obvious.
Are you ready? 
Here it is: I try not to commit to any job until I have a fairly good understanding of the requirements.
If I understand the requirements, then I can more accurately prepare an estimate for the potential client (or for myself). If I understand the requirements, then I'm less likely to get stuck working for next-to-nothing. If I understand the job requirements, then I'm also in a better position to make suggestions to the client.
In my experience if the job requirements are vague, there may be a reason. The potential client may be trying to hide something.
How does this play out in real life? It means that I ask lots and lots of questions. It means that I actually pass up bidding on or applying for lots of jobs because there isn't enough information (and no one is willing to supply information) or because I suspect that I'd end up working for peanuts. It also means, strangely enough, that when I finally do apply for a job -- I often get it.
It's easy for a freelancer, who may be faced with a gap in income, to panic and apply for jobs that he or she otherwise might not consider. My advice to you: don't do it! Take your time and find out what you need to know about the project.
An important corollary to understanding the requirements is to get a written contract. My freelancing friend, Matt, does a really good job of explaining the value of contracts in this post: Why Written Contracts Make Perfect Sense. A handshake or an oral agreement is not enough.
I know that a lot of the readers of Work From Home Momma have grappled with this problem. What is your freelance project quoting secret?
Leave a comment and let us know.
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