Discounts force you to work significantly more hours to earn the same income
This calculator shows the hidden cost of discounts by revealing how many extra hours you need to work at the discounted rate to match your original income goal.
How to use this calculator
Enter your normal hourly rate. Input the expected project hours at full rate. Set the discount percentage you're considering. The calculator shows your lost income and how many extra hours you need to work at the discounted rate to earn the same total.
How discount impact is calculated
The calculation finds how many hours at the discounted rate are needed to match your original income target, then shows the extra hours required beyond the planned project length.
Extra Hours = (Original Income / Discounted Rate) - Planned HoursFrequently asked questions
When should I offer a discount?
Only when it's a strategic investment: landing an anchor client worth long-term revenue, filling a gap in your schedule that would otherwise be empty, or exchanging discount for referrals/testimonials/case studies. Never discount just because someone asks.
What if a client says I'm too expensive?
Don't immediately offer a discount. Ask about their budget, explain your value, offer to reduce scope instead of rate, or walk away. Clients who only care about price are often difficult clients. Find clients who value quality over cheapest option.
Can I offer volume discounts for bigger projects?
Maybe. Large projects reduce your sales overhead and provide stability, so a 5-10% discount can make sense. But don't give away 20-30% — bigger projects often have more complexity, stakeholders, and revisions that offset the efficiency gains.
Should I discount for nonprofits or friends?
Your choice, but be intentional. If you want to support a cause, donate your time explicitly — don't pretend you're running a business at 50% off. For friends, either do it free as a gift or charge full rate. Discounted work for friends often leads to resentment.
How do I recover from offering too many discounts?
Stop discounting immediately for new clients. Gradually raise rates for existing discounted clients at contract renewals. Focus marketing on clients who can afford full rates. Fill your schedule with better clients until you can phase out the discounted work.