When is an all-in price useful for a freelance assignment?

“All-in” means that agreed components are included in the quoted price. The parties must identify those components; the expression alone does not define them. 

An all-in hourly rate might include ordinary travel, the freelancer’s tools, software and insurance overheads. The total fee still increases with the number of billable hours. 

An all-in fixed project price covers specified services for an agreed total amount. If the freelancer must complete the unchanged scope without charging for additional time, taking longer can reduce the return on the assignment. 

Both models can simplify budgeting. Neither automatically includes unlimited revisions, additional locations, client-requested changes or every possible expense. Specify whether weekend work is covered and whether the quotation includes or excludes VAT. 

Under Deliveroo, remuneration method, remuneration level and commercial risk are relevant alongside the other circumstances of the working relationship. Uber confirmed that these circumstances have no fixed hierarchy. 

A useful example is Staan/PotatoNext, 5 March 2026. A financial controller worked through Staan at an all-in hourly rate. The Amsterdam District Court found no employment contract with Staan or PotatoNext. Its assessment included the project, the evidence about instructions, the remuneration and insurance arrangements. The all-in rate was one circumstance, not a legal exemption. 

As of 3 November 2026, the Zelfstandigenwet remains a proposal. It seeks to clarify when independent work is possible through a self-employment test and a work-relationship test. 

Its explanatory memorandum, section 5.3.4, examines economic benefits and financial risks. Payment based solely on worked hours does not satisfy its economic-benefit element. Merely bundling expenses into an hourly rate would therefore not establish compliance with the proposed tests. 

Yes. There is no general rule that freelancers must absorb every expense or issue a single-line invoice. 

Article 7:406(1) BW provides for reimbursement of expenses connected with performing an assignment insofar as they are not included in the remuneration. The agreement should make clear which costs are included and which may be charged separately. 

Ordinary overheads may sensibly be included in the price. Exceptional travel, client-specific licences or materials may be separately agreed. A negotiated weekend or urgent-work surcharge is also compatible with a commercial service agreement. 

Distinguish extra time needed to complete the original scope from additional services requested by the client. A fixed price does not necessarily require a freelancer to perform a larger, changed assignment for the same fee. 

Including insurance overheads does not mean that the client receives insurance cover. The relevant policy, insured parties and exclusions remain separate questions.

For a taxable service, the Tax Administration explains that VAT is calculated on the total remuneration, including incidental charges such as travel and telephone costs. Listing those charges separately does not itself remove them from the taxable amount. 

A genuine disbursement, or doorlopende post, is different. The Tax Administration describes this as expenditure paid in the customer’s name and for the customer’s account. Such amounts can fall outside the taxable consideration. 

A freelancer can provide their own service and also pay a qualifying disbursement. Merely calling a recharge a disbursement does not make it one.

Define the service. Describe the work, outputs, quality requirements, assumptions and relevant exclusions. A fixed fee does not automatically guarantee a professional outcome beyond the freelancer’s control. 

Define the price. Identify whether it is hourly, daily or a project total. Specify included travel, tools, licences, insurance overheads and weekend work, together with VAT and any permitted additional charges. 

Allocate changes and overruns. Explain what happens if the original work takes longer, the client changes the scope or necessary information arrives late. Agree how additional work is authorised and priced. 

Preserve the commercial process. Retain the client’s request, the freelancer’s proposal, relevant negotiations, acceptance, the service agreement and later amendments. A freelancer may keep a detailed internal cost calculation and share an appropriate breakdown with the client. 

Use records consistently. Invoices should follow the agreement. If using Zooly or another freelance management system, check which records and workflows the configured environment supports. Connect the accepted price to the relevant scope, exclusions and approved changes.