Free calculator
Rush fee calculator for freelancers
"Can you have it by Friday?" is a change to the deal, not a favour. Enter your rate, the hours, your normal turnaround and the deadline the client wants, and get a fair rush price plus a message that offers the client rush or standard. Runs in your browser, no signup.
Rush quote to send the client
Hi Client Co., Happy to help with "Landing page redesign". My normal turnaround for this is 10 working days. To deliver in 4 days I'd need to move other work, so here's the rush price: - Standard price: $900 (12 hours at $75/hr) - Rush premium (50% for a 60% shorter timeline): $450 - Evening/weekend hours (4 h at +50%): $150 - Total: $1,500 If you'd rather keep the standard price, I can deliver in 10 working days instead. Reply "rush" or "standard" and I'll confirm the start date. Work starts once you approve in writing.
Runs in your browser. Nothing is stored or sent.
How the rush premium is worked out
| Situation | Premium |
|---|---|
| Up to a third shorter than your normal turnaround | +25% (or your minimum) |
| A third to two thirds shorter | +50% |
| More than two thirds shorter (e.g. 10 days to 2) | +100% |
| Hours you must work evenings or weekends | Extra % on those hours only |
Put the rush rate in your contract or statement of work up front, and send the rushed work as a change order so the new deadline and price are approved in writing.
Turn the rush into an approved change order
ScopeLine keeps the original deal, logs each client request against it, and turns extras like a rush deadline into change orders the client approves or declines through a link, no login. Free for 3 active projects, no card.
Start free on ScopeLineFAQ
- How much should a freelancer charge for a rush job?
- A common range is 25% to 100% on top of the standard price, scaled by how much of your normal timeline the client is cutting. This calculator uses 25%, 50% or 100% tiers with a minimum you set, plus an optional surcharge for evening and weekend hours.
- Is a rush fee the same as a change order?
- A rush request is a change to the agreed timeline, so it should be handled like any change: price it, get written approval, then start. ScopeLine logs the request against the original deal and sends the client a change order they approve through a link.
- How do I tell a client about a rush fee without sounding greedy?
- Give them a choice. The message this tool writes shows the standard price and timeline next to the rush price, so the client picks speed or savings and you aren't arguing about the premium.
- Should I add a rush clause to my contract?
- Yes. A line such as 'deadlines shorter than the agreed timeline are billed at a rush rate of 25% to 100%' means the conversation is already settled when an urgent request arrives. Pair it with a revision clause and a change-order process.
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