Retainer Pricing Calculator

Retainer Pricing for Freelancers and Agencies

A retainer is an ongoing agreement where a client pays a fixed monthly fee for a set number of hours or deliverables. Retainers provide predictable revenue for you and priority access for the client. They are one of the most effective ways to stabilize freelance income.

Why Offer a Retainer Discount?

The discount compensates the client for their commitment. In return, you get guaranteed monthly revenue, reduced sales overhead, and better cash flow predictability. A 10-15% discount is typical and worthwhile if it secures months of steady work.

The Utilization Advantage

Most retainer clients do not use 100% of their allocated hours every month. If a client pays for 20 hours but averages 16, your effective hourly rate increases by 25%. This "utilization gap" is a key profit driver for retainer-based businesses.

Rollover Hours

Allowing unused hours to roll over is more client-friendly but reduces your utilization advantage. A compromise is to allow rollover for one month only, preventing hour accumulation while showing goodwill. Clearly define this in your agreement.

Setting the Right Commitment

A 3-month minimum commitment is standard. It gives the relationship time to establish workflows and demonstrate value. Longer commitments (6-12 months) can justify deeper discounts, while month-to-month retainers should carry little or no discount.

When Retainers Work Best

• Ongoing needs — Content creation, maintenance, marketing support.
• Predictable workloads — Clients who need consistent monthly hours.
• Long-term relationships — Retainers build loyalty and reduce churn.