Build a visible delivery buffer into a freelance retainer instead of relying on hidden overtime. Enter expected monthly project hours, separate scope and schedule contingencies, and an internal hourly cost. The calculator compounds the two buffers so schedule protection applies to the scope-adjusted workload, then shows protected hours, contingency hours, and their internal cost.
Protected hours are planning capacity, not automatically billable time. They indicate what you should keep available to deliver with the entered risk allowances.
Because buffers are compounded, a 10% scope buffer plus an 8% schedule buffer creates an 18.8% effective buffer, not exactly 18%.
Sixty base hours with a 10% scope buffer become 66 hours. Applying an 8% schedule buffer produces 71.28 protected hours, or 11.28 contingency hours.
Schedule risk applies to the scope-adjusted workload, keeping the two risk assumptions distinct.
That depends on the engagement; they may be reflected in price or capacity without being described as guaranteed deliverables.
Yes. Use zero when that risk is already controlled or accounted for elsewhere.
No. It values reserved time internally; pricing depends on your retainer structure.
Review them when actual scope changes or delivery delays show a consistent difference from your assumptions.
| Input | Meaning | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Expected monthly project hours | User-entered planning assumption | hours |
| Scope-change buffer | User-entered planning assumption | % |
| Schedule-risk buffer | User-entered planning assumption | % |
| Internal hourly cost | User-entered planning assumption | USD |