Pricing is a skill — learn it before your first invoice
Most student freelancers either charge too little and burn out, or charge too much without proof and lose the gig. Neither failure is about talent. It's about missing benchmarks for Montreal's student market and not tying price to scope.
NexTalent takes zero commission on what you negotiate, so every dollar you quote is yours. That makes getting pricing right even more important — there's no platform padding your rate.
Use this guide alongside how to get your first paid client and keep your portfolio blocks aligned with the rates you quote.
Fixed project vs. hourly — pick one per gig
For first projects, fixed price almost always works better:
| Model | Best for | Student-friendly? |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed project | Defined deliverables (landing page, 30s video, 5 Figma screens) | Yes — clear scope, clear pay |
| Hourly | Ongoing support, unclear scope | Risky until you track time well |
| Retainer | Monthly content or dev hours | Usually after 2–3 successful projects |
Businesses posting on NexTalent for businesses often list a budget range. Quote inside or slightly above that range only when your portfolio justifies it.
CAD benchmarks by project type (student tier)
These ranges reflect typical first and second projects on NexTalent in Montreal, not senior agency rates.
Web development
| Deliverable | Low | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-page landing (React/HTML) | CAD $125 | CAD $200–350 | Includes mobile responsive |
| Multi-section marketing site (3–5 pages) | CAD $300 | CAD $450–700 | Content provided by client |
| Bug fix or small feature | CAD $50 | CAD $75–150 | Scope must be capped in writing |
Design (UI/UX, brand)
| Deliverable | Low | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logo + basic brand sheet | CAD $75 | CAD $100–200 | 2 revision rounds |
| App UI (5 screens, Figma) | CAD $150 | CAD $250–450 | Component style included |
| Social template pack (6–10 assets) | CAD $100 | CAD $150–275 | Platform sizes specified |
Video and motion
| Deliverable | Low | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15–30s promo edit | CAD $100 | CAD $150–300 | Client provides footage |
| Short-form social batch (3 clips) | CAD $150 | CAD $200–400 | Music licensing clarified |
| Simple motion graphic intro | CAD $125 | CAD $175–325 | Length and format fixed |
Code and automation
| Deliverable | Low | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Python script (single workflow) | CAD $75 | CAD $125–250 | Documented + handoff |
| API integration (existing stack) | CAD $150 | CAD $200–400 | Depends on auth complexity |
| Small game prototype (Godot) | CAD $200 | CAD $350–600 | Milestones recommended |
How to build a quote in five minutes
- List deliverables — "Homepage, contact form, deploy to Vercel" not "a website"
- Estimate hours — be honest; add 20% buffer for revisions
- Pick a rate — many students use CAD $15–35/hour internally even when quoting fixed
- Convert to flat fee — round to a clean number (CAD $275 beats CAD $271.50)
- State what's excluded — copywriting, stock photos, extra revision rounds
Send the breakdown in NexTalent messaging so both sides agree before work starts.
When to charge less (strategically)
Lowering price isn't always wrong:
- First client in a new skill — trading a small discount for a testimonial and portfolio piece
- Non-profit or student club — if you choose pro bono, say so explicitly
- Repeat client — loyalty discount after successful delivery
Never race to the bottom against other students. Competing on price alone attracts difficult clients.
When to charge more
Raise quotes when you have:
- Live projects in the same stack as the brief
- Testimonials on your portfolio
- Tight deadline acceptance (rush fee: 15–25%)
- Scope that includes deployment, documentation, or training
Businesses expect CEGEP talent to be affordable — not free. See what businesses look for to match value to their filters.
Negotiation scripts that work
Client: "Our budget is CAD $200."
You: "I can deliver the homepage and mobile layout for CAD $200 with two revision rounds. Additional pages would be CAD $75 each — want me to itemize?"
Client: "Can you do it for exposure?"
You: "I'm building my portfolio through paid projects. I can reduce scope to fit CAD $X — which feature matters most?"
Stay polite. Founders respect clarity.
Escrow and payment timing
For projects over CAD $400, suggest NexTalent optional escrow — funds release when the client approves deliverables. Read the business-side escrow guide to understand what clients see.
For smaller first gigs, 50% upfront / 50% on delivery is common when both parties agree off-platform. Always document terms in-app.
Track and raise rates
After each project, log hours vs. quote. If you consistently finish under budget, you're underpricing. Bump the next quote 10–15%. Students who go from hobby to hired almost always raise rates by project three.
Your pricing homework
Open NexTalent for students, pick three active job posts, and draft quotes using the tables above. Compare your portfolio proof to each brief. The gap between them tells you whether to quote low, mid, or walk away.
Fair pricing protects your time, sets client expectations, and builds a sustainable freelance practice before graduation.