--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I charge by the hour, or I am on a…" description: "\"I charge by the hour, or I am on a retainer. We try to work with the client.\" — Judy Smith" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/958/judy-smith-11764_am_i-charge-by-the-hour-or-i-am-on-a-retain_446666.jpg" --- # I charge by the hour, or I am on a retainer. We try to… ![“I charge by the hour, or I am on a retainer. We try to work with the client.” quote by Judy Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/958/judy-smith-11764_am_i-charge-by-the-hour-or-i-am-on-a-retain_446666.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/958/judy-smith-11764_am_i-charge-by-the-hour-or-i-am-on-a-retain_446666.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/958/judy-smith-11764_am_i-charge-by-the-hour-or-i-am-on-a-retain_446666.jpg) > “I charge by the hour, or I am on a retainer. We try to work with the client.” [Judy Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Describes a billing model based on hourly rates or retainers, emphasizing client collaboration. **In simple terms:** Charge by hour or retainer, work with client. Key Takeaway Choose billing that fits project needs. Themes business billing client relations Mood practical professional Type advisory explanatory When to use this quote - consulting contracts - freelance projects - agency work Key Concepts hourly rates retainers collaboration Questions to Reflect On - Is a retainer better for long‑term projects? - How does hourly billing affect client trust? A Different Perspective May not suit all industries or client preferences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/am/) [Charge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charge/) [Charge Hour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charge-hour-3905933/) [Client](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/client/) [Hour Retainer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hour-retainer-3905934/) [I am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-am/) [Retainer Try](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/retainer-try-3905935/) [Try](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Work Client](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-client-627092/) ## Related quotes > [“When I start a piece of work with a client, I want to know two things straight away: why are they doing this work,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-spencer/when-i-start-a-piece-of-work-with-a-client-i-want-to-know-two-things/) [Donna Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-spencer/) > [I've never had a problem with a dumb client. There is no such thing as a bad client. Part of our job is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-gill/i-ve-never-had-a-problem-with-a-dumb-client-there-is-no-such-thing-as/) [Bob Gill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-gill/) > [The emotional attachment you get with a client or the music fan allows you access to do a lot of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/the-emotional-attachment-you-get-with-a-client-or-the-music-fan/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [When we meet, I'm interested and I'm curious about what he's doing because he's burning a number from a client. And I'm like, 'Who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosario-dawson/when-we-meet-i-m-interested-and-i-m-curious-about-what-he-s-doing/) [Rosario Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosario-dawson/) > [Client is the one who doesn't know why he wants a baby.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/client-is-the-one-who-doesn-t-know-why-he-wants-a-baby/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [Do what the client wants, not what you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/do-what-the-client-wants-not-what-you-want/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > ['The Client List' represents everything we want to be - fresh, exciting, and original with attitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-dubuc/the-client-list-represents-everything-we-want-to-be-fresh-exciting/) [Nancy Dubuc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-dubuc/) > ['Loving Frank' is about a forbidden love affair between two people who lived a hundred years ago - Frank Lloyd Wright and his married…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-horan/loving-frank-is-about-a-forbidden-love-affair-between-two-people-who/) [Nancy Horan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-horan/) > [I think my first client other than my brother was this kid named Tallent. I was charging him eight dollars an hour to record…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syd/i-think-my-first-client-other-than-my-brother-was-this-kid-named/) [Syd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syd/) > [I spent more than ten years working on the Neues Museum. It was a wonderful experience, an example of real collaboration between architects, conservationists,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-chipperfield/i-spent-more-than-ten-years-working-on-the-neues-museum-it-was-a/) [David Chipperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-chipperfield/) > [“Make sure you’ve done absolutely all your homework on the client company, the client marketplace, and the client individual, and that it’s absolutely up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-h-maister/make-sure-you-ve-done-absolutely-all-your-homework-on-the-client/) [David H. Maister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-h-maister/) > [Don't hang up until the client either buys or dies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-belfort/don-t-hang-up-until-the-client-either-buys-or-dies/) [Jordan Belfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-belfort/) > [“With warm pleasantries, strangers become clients. With firm handshakes, contracts become signed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/utibe-samuel-mbom/with-warm-pleasantries-strangers-become-clients-with-firm-handshakes/) [Utibe Samuel Mbom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/utibe-samuel-mbom/) > [It is the client who knows what hurts, what directions to go, what problems are crucial, what experiences have been deeply buried.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-rogers/it-is-the-client-who-knows-what-hurts-what-directions-to-go-what/) [Carl Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-rogers/) > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) ## More by Judy Smith > [Smart people are no different than anyone else. Sometimes they exercise bad judgment, like we all do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-smith/smart-people-are-no-different-than-anyone-else-sometimes-they/) [Judy Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-smith/) > [My experience at the White House was invaluable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-smith/my-experience-at-the-white-house-was-invaluable/) [Judy Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-smith/) > [Allegations become facts, and facts become truth in the eyes of the public, whether they are true or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-smith/allegations-become-facts-and-facts-become-truth-in-the-eyes-of-the/) [Judy Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-smith/) > [A crisis, by its very nature, is a negative event.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-smith/a-crisis-by-its-very-nature-is-a-negative-event/) [Judy Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-smith/) > [If I can, for whatever reason, inspire and motivate people, that's a good thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-smith/if-i-can-for-whatever-reason-inspire-and-motivate-people-that-s-a/) [Judy Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-smith/) > [I will say this about the truth - that it's one of those crisis rules, whether you are a client or someone who's living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-smith/i-will-say-this-about-the-truth-that-it-s-one-of-those-crisis-rules/) [Judy Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-smith/) > [I've always been interested in image and reputation management. Because really, when you think about it, it is an old phrase, but all we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-smith/i-ve-always-been-interested-in-image-and-reputation-management/) [Judy Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-smith/) > [When times are good, a CEO should remain poised and composed. When times are difficult, a CEO should remain poised and composed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-smith/when-times-are-good-a-ceo-should-remain-poised-and-composed-when/) [Judy Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-smith/) > [It can be a real blow to our egos when we feel as if our hard-earned degrees don't matter as much as our ability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-smith/it-can-be-a-real-blow-to-our-egos-when-we-feel-as-if-our-hard-earned/) [Judy Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-smith/) > [“PEACEFULNESS: Do not allow life's challenges to disturb your tranquility. Life is far too precious to be wasted on nonessential issues.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-smith/peacefulness-do-not-allow-life-s-challenges-to-disturb-your/) [Judy Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-smith/) > [Establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers. You don't have to be friends, but you do have to be friendly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-smith/establish-and-maintain-good-working-relationships-with-co-workers-you/) [Judy Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-smith/) > [Unless you work in HR, it's not your responsibility to necessarily police and monitor workplace conversation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-smith/unless-you-work-in-hr-it-s-not-your-responsibility-to-necessarily/) [Judy Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-smith/) > [My theory on an existing crisis is that you have to be very strategic about each case's unique elements. If a crisis involves a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-smith/my-theory-on-an-existing-crisis-is-that-you-have-to-be-very-strategic/) [Judy Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-smith/) > [Make sure you are clear about the expectations your boss has for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-smith/make-sure-you-are-clear-about-the-expectations-your-boss-has-for-you/) [Judy Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-smith/) > [The ambition and focus that propel you to success can also be your downfall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-smith/the-ambition-and-focus-that-propel-you-to-success-can-also-be-your/) [Judy Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-smith/) [Explore all 58 Judy Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-smith/) ## More Am quotes > [I don't own designer clothes, or a sports car, or a huge house, but I am seeing the world, experiencing amazing things, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roz-savage/i-don-t-own-designer-clothes-or-a-sports-car-or-a-huge-house-but-i-am/) [Roz Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roz-savage/) > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [Any incarnation of 'Batman' I am delighted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-west/any-incarnation-of-batman-i-am-delighted-to-do/) [Adam West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-west/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [I am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I am on sabbatical as of right now, been too busy to think of about my OWN needs as of late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-diamond/i-am-on-sabbatical-as-of-right-now-been-too-busy-to-think-of-about-my/) [Jim Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-diamond/) > [I am strongly opposed to any form of amnesty, including, especially, executive amnesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-scalise/i-am-strongly-opposed-to-any-form-of-amnesty-including-especially/) [Steve Scalise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-scalise/) > [I am no different from a lot of people. I am concerned for the future of my children and concerned for the future of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/i-am-no-different-from-a-lot-of-people-i-am-concerned-for-the-future/) [John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/) > [I won't be managing the Mets. I am closing the door on managing the Mets and probably everybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-torre/i-won-t-be-managing-the-mets-i-am-closing-the-door-on-managing-the/) [Joe Torre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-torre/) > [I know who I am. I know what I represent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cora/i-know-who-i-am-i-know-what-i-represent/) [Alex Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cora/) > [I am fortunate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-am-fortunate/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/) [Darlene Senger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darlene-senger/) > [Acting is what I do with who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-walter/acting-is-what-i-do-with-who-i-am/) [Harriet Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-walter/) > [I am a big outliner. For my adult book, 'The Visibles,' I did not outline, and it took me two years to write because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-shepard/i-am-a-big-outliner-for-my-adult-book-the-visibles-i-did-not-outline/) [Sara Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-shepard/) [Browse all 9,589 Am quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/am/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I charge by the hour, or I am on a retainer. 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