Two simple ways to work together. Pay by the hour for one-off projects, or take me on retainer and get a senior designer who works only for you.
Flexible, project-by-project work. Good for one-off builds, isolated design tasks, or when you’re not sure how much you need yet. You get an honest estimate upfront, and I won’t clock unnecessary hours.
$80per hour
Book some hoursWhen you take me on retainer, I work only for you. One agency, no other clients and no split attention. Focused, consistent, senior-level design that’s entirely yours.
$80$70per hour
60 hrs a month minimum = $4,200/month. Book more and the rate drops: $65/hr at 100 hrs, $60/hr at 140 hrs.
Start a retainerPrices in US dollars. Hours are logged in a shared timesheet, so you always see where the time went.
What I want
Rate$70, down to $60 / hour
Minimum60 hrs / month
Monthly from$4,200
At 140 hrs / month$60 / hour
When you take me on retainer, I work exclusively for you. One agency. That’s it. No other clients, no split attention, no half-remembered briefs from three other projects running in parallel.
This is a proper working relationship. I’m an extension of your team in every meaningful sense: I’m in your Slack, I know your clients, and I understand your standards and your process. I get briefed on Monday and deliver on Wednesday. Over time you stop having to explain context, because I already have it.
When I’ve freelanced for several agencies at once, the work has been good. When I work with just one, it’s better. Ideas come easier, decisions land quicker, and the output has the considered quality that only comes from sustained focus on one body of work.
One Slack. One email. One PM. One designer who is entirely, exclusively yours.
That’s what the retainer is, and that’s why it’s worth it.
Retainer calculator
Retainers start at 60 hours and scale up to 140. The more hours you book, the lower the rate: $70 an hour at 60 hours, dropping to $60 an hour at 140.
You’re on my best rate
$70/hr60 hrs
$65/hr100 hrs
$60/hr140 hrs
Monthly total
$8,400/ month
140 hrs × $60 an hour, my best rate, invoiced at the start of each month.
$60/hr · you save $2,800 a month vs hourly
Your hours140 of 140
Same hours at $80/hr$11,200
On retainer at $60/hr$8,400
What’s included
Up to 140 hours a month is available if you need more.
60 hours a month
UI/UX design, WordPress builds or front-end development, used however you need it.
Exclusive availability
I take no other clients while we work together. Your projects get all of my attention.
Priority turnarounds
Fast replies and same-day turnarounds on most tasks.
Hours that overlap yours
Mon–Fri, 2pm–10pm Thailand time. That covers the UK working day and the US morning.
Part of your team
I learn your agency, your clients and your standards inside out, and work from your Slack.
Weekly standups
At whatever time suits you. I may be a little sleepy, but I’ll be there.
This works best for agencies who want a senior designer embedded long-term: someone who shows up every day like a team member, without the overhead of hiring one. If you want consistent quality, fast turnarounds and a designer who cares what goes out the door with your name on it, this is it.
Tools I use every day
Testimonials
We’ve worked with Paul on many projects and have never been let down. His professional approach and vast online understanding make for a smooth-running, within-budget job. I’d recommend Paul to any of our clients.
Paul is the perfect freelance web designer. He’s quick, reliable and works independently on solutions. Companies that work directly with him get the quality London agencies would charge double for.
A great front-end coder: fast, standards-compliant and flexible. He’s happy to accommodate unusual requirements, but also good at recommending better approaches without putting anyone’s back up.
Always good quality and done in good time. Paul has a ‘can do’ attitude. Would be happy to use again and refer.
Great attention to detail, and always delivers on time and on budget. He’s open to new ideas and pushing the boundaries of online design.
We’ve worked on many projects together. Paul can translate techie-lingo into plain English. I’d recommend him to anyone looking for a professional web designer.
FAQ
Yes. Plenty of agencies start with a small project at $80 an hour. If it works well, we switch to a retainer from the following month.
Retainers scale up to 140 hours a month, and the rate drops as you go: $65 an hour at 100 hours and $60 an hour at 140. Let me know before the month starts and I’ll block out the time.
Every hour is logged against your projects in a shared timesheet. Basic hours are invoiced when the work is done, and retainers at the start of each month.
Retainers run month to month with 30 days’ notice on either side. There’s no long lock-in.
You get an honest estimate before I start. If it looks like the work will run over, I tell you early, not on the invoice.
Prices are in US dollars. I can invoice in GBP or EUR at the current exchange rate if that’s easier for you.
