Adjusting consultancy rates for Malaysia

[ylgp]

I was wondering if anybody has any experience with adjusting his or her freelance rates for work in Malaysia?

A project I was quoting for is now going through a Malaysian company and so I have a new demand for a rate card. I am afraid I have no experience there at all (not even arrived in the region yet) but with my limited knowledge of the economy, I am thinking that Singapore rates are going to be unrealistic?

Any advice appreciated, thanks

[beppi]

If you want the job, you should adjust your rates to below the maximum your client is willing to pay, independent of what others pay for other engagements.
It would be unprofessional to give any numbers here without knowing your client's industry, expertise and expectations.

Are you sure you can legally work in Malaysia as foreign freelancer? I think not!

[ylgp]

Hi Beppi

OK. For simplicity's sake, let's assume I do want the job (for I do), and also that I will be able to sort the billing side of things (as I am not a freelancer myself, and will not be working in Malaysia, it was just simpler than going into detail about consultancy arrangements).

I was more asking for anyone's experience for adjusting their rates for Malaysia, in general. I live in a country where rates are high, and some neighboring countries I would adjust them, others I would not. That does depend on the industry as well, but of course it will be no harm to hear some examples, I would like to understand how it works in other industries too, I am sure that would be interesting to learn about.

I didn't provide figures as I think that is a bit inappropriate for a public forum, but if someone had examples of their own experience, and could provide an idea of relative/proportional rate changes, i.e. not absolute figures, and other things they took into consideration, I would really appreciate that.

Thanks in advance.

George

[beppi]

Some people earn the same numbers in RM as in S$ (thus almost 60% less in Malaysia), others quote more than in Singapore (because their expenses are higher when travelling there) and get away with it, too.
This doesn't help you, but it's the truth.

[ylgp]

OK, thanks for the good advice. I will have a think about expenses arrangements, but I don't think I'll be travelling there so often so maybe it can be absorbed, or billed back to the firm and they can take care of it.

[Strong Eagle]

I am worth what I bill in Singapore, wherever I go, higher, if cost of living is more.

You provide a service, a value add. If it's worth X dollars in SG, why should it be worth less in MY?

Unless of course, you are a run of the mill grunt who faces strong competition from the local population.

As for those that say, "we can't afford to pay SG rates" I say, "Good luck".

[ylgp]

@Strong Eagle

You are right - it isn't worth less.

On the other hand, some regions have a repuation for high rates, and the first thing a potential client will say is "I can't pay Swizterland rates", for example (and this is when referring to other European countries).

Sometimes it's good to be a bit strategic. Plus, I will be new to the region so it feels churlish to turn down business without considering a comprimise.

Thanks all, for the comments.