💸 Why I Charge $40/hr — And Why That Doesn’t Undervalue My Work

Let’s talk about money. Specifically: my rate.

Yes, I charge $40 per hour.

And no — that doesn’t mean I’m inexperienced, low-quality, or desperate.
In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

💼 I’ve Seen What Bad Billing Looks Like

Years ago, I worked at a large web agency — and one of my clients was a small startup run by the kindest team you could imagine.

They were smart, scrappy, and fully invested in their business…
…and I watched my agency nickel and dime them to death.

We charged for things we shouldn’t have — including fixing mistakes we made.
Every email, every update, every fix was another line on the invoice.
It wasn’t just unfair. It was unethical.

Eventually, I’d had enough. I quit the agency and went to work for that startup full-time.
We built smart solutions without all the nonsense — and I stayed for years until the company sadly closed during COVID.

That job meant a lot to me.
So did the lesson: people deserve better.

🤝 My Pricing Is Built on That Lesson

$40/hr is not a discount. It’s a decision.

It lets me:

  • Work with good people who care about what they’re building
  • Offer long-term help without nickel-and-diming every update
  • Build trust, not invoices
  • Say yes to small businesses with real goals and real budgets


I still work for an agency now — but it’s not the same.
And when I freelance, I get to set the rules.

⚖️ You’re Not Being Underserved — You’re Being Prioritized

I don’t cut corners. I don’t disappear after launch. I don’t do “good enough.”

Instead, I:

  • Check your site on mobile and desktop before I call anything done
  • Write clean code or streamline builder tools so your site stays fast
  • Track issues, suggest improvements, and give you real ownership
  • Offer training if you want it — because I want you to understand your site


This isn’t “budget” work. This is experienced work — at a fair rate.

💡 You Can Find Good Help Without Breaking the Bank

There’s a myth that good help costs $100+/hr.
But the truth is: good help costs what it takes to do good work.

I charge $40/hr because I’ve been doing this for 25+ years.
Because I’ve seen the waste and the markup.
Because I’d rather build honest partnerships than inflate my ego or my invoices.

So if you’re comparing me to a cut-rate overseas dev or a high-end agency, know this:
I’m neither. I’m me.

📌 P.S. I'm Transparent About Everything — Including This

If you’re ever unsure how long something will take or whether you’re getting your money’s worth, ask me.
I’m happy to explain my estimates, offer flat-rate options, or help you find the most efficient path forward.

This rate isn’t a secret.
It’s a reflection of what I value — and how I want to work.

Let's Chat 🤙