Freelancing Vs. In-House: Which Do You Prefer?
August 18th, 2010 by Tweet
Freelancing or an In-House position? Which works best for you? In this post, I will discuss my opinion on each, but I want to hear your opinions as well! I have been in the Computer World for about 11 years, with experience in the areas of software development and most recently concentrating my time in the world of Web Design and Development. For about 6 years I have worked as either a freelancer or in house at a company, and I have realized both have their pros and cons. In my article, Do You Have What it Takes to be a Freelance Web Designer or Developer?, I painted a pretty honest picture of the responsibility and sacrifice it takes to be a freelancer, and the truth is that is it a hard job. However, it definitely has it perks, and the perks it does have are great. On the other hand, having a steady in-house position has its serious perks as well, but with every thing in life, it also has its downfalls.
Therefore, I have come up with some elements to consider when trying to decide whether to take a freelance job or an in-house job; so you, as the web developer or designer, can decide which one works for you. Feel free to add some additional tips, and please comment as to what you prefer and why!! I hope you find this advice useful and I look forward to hearing your opinions as well!
Freelance:
Pros:
1. The ability to make a higher income and to control your income.
2. The ability to work from home, which can save a lot of time, stress, and money. (no spending money on gas, miles on the car, get to be with family etc).
3. The ability to have control on all aspects of your work.
4. You have more autonomy in your time management, designs, style, and work.
5. More direct contact with your clients, so you can better understand what the customer wants…though some consider contact with clients to be a con too. 
6. You can use your time better, and can actually work on more than one project at a time.
7. You can team up with and can delegate some work to other freelancers.
Cons:
1. Having to know more than just design and development. (Must know business).
2. You have to be ready to work at anytime, including weekends and holidays.
3. You must be willing to take jobs in many different areas.
4. You need to know about your legal responsibility doing freelance.
5. Has the tendency to be boring and isolating.
6. Requires exceptional organizational skills.
7. You must keep a consistent clientele bringing in capital each month to keep the business going.
8. Can be difficult to separate work and play.
In-House:
Pros:
1. You can get health insurance, benefits, bonuses, and steady income.
2. More stability in your work schedule and income.
3. The ability to climb the corporate ladder or grow with the company.
4. You have a consistent, steady income each month, even if there is a drop in clientle.
5. The ability to have mentors which can help you grow in your field.
6. Some companies offer paid training, paid continuing education, and paid professional development.
7. The ability to work as a team and brainstorm ideas, because as they say, “Ten minds are better than one.”
8. You can leave you work at work, and not have to worry about it after 5pm, on weekends, nor holidays.
Cons:
1. Little to no flexibility with a traditional desk job, which is not suited for everyone.
2. Must abide by company policy regarding dress, manner, work, hours, etc.
3. Your project managers most of the time have the tendency to limit your creativity, and can control the work you put out.
4. Project managers often give you impossible deadlines, which are difficult to meet.
5. More likely to be forced to specialize in one area, and you may not be able to use skills in other areas. For example you must work as either developer or designer, not both.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, your own experience and/or specific situation will assist you in determining whether an in-house position suits you best or whether freelance is your cup of tea. I hope in the comment section you share your experiences and opinions on the topic!
Teylor Feliz is a well-known XHTML/CSS/JavaScript enthusiast from Dominican Republic. He has more than 10 years experience in the computer programming, graphic design, and web development world, including 2 years teaching computer science. Teylor has a degree in Applied Sciences from the University of Louisiana and is completing a Master’s degree in IT with a concentration in Web Design and Development, at the University of Denver.
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Nice article teylor, currently I`m struggling to work as a freelance designer, I think this way of working suits my today needs, it gives me time to attend to school and to learn a lot by myself. But I do not rule out the possibility of an in-house work, most of all due to benefits and income.
Yes, I agree. Freelancing surely gives you more time to do other things, like school! Which is why I am doing freelancing now as well!
Nice job on the article. Great topic since I am about to graduate soon. In my view, I think freelancing is great when you are still in school, getting a masters, or want to pursue other jobs. But, I prefer an in-house because you are on a schedule and always know that money is coming in!
Very true! Thanks for commenting!
I never comment on Teylor’s post, but I will on this one. As much as freelancing has a certain appeal, I much prefer going to work, getting dressed, and having an office away from home. It just works with my personality! But, I know Teylor prefers freelancing
Great article Teylor!
Thanks!
I’d have to add onto the Cons of Freelancing where its, “You have to be ready to work at anytime, including weekends and holidays,” should also include possibly working 12 hour days. This can exist in the corporate world, but it’s not as likely unless you plan on sleeping at work.
I’d have to agree with Jennifer, when I was getting my Bachelors degree freelancing was a great option and it helped me land an in-house web dev. job after graduation. And considering that I have a set work schedule and the freedom to leave work at work, I can still freelance on the side and earn a little extra.
Yes, with freelancing, you have are always “on-call,” which can be a seriously con!
Lately I’ve been doing both freelancing as well as in-house work. Although I prefer freelancing, I’ve been leaning more toward in-house work at this point for a guaranteed passive income. Freelancing requires lots of business management on top of the work alone, and done by a single person can be tedious and time-draining. Working with other freelancers on a project is ideal for me.
I agree with the working with other freelancer point! Great way to combind talent and help each other as well
Thank for your comment!
I completely understand how difficult is to decide which of these two choices is fine and the way you have mentioned the “pros and cons” of both aspects.
Lately, I also added a post listing the advantages and disadvantages of freelancing and working part time. I am sure you will like to read it:
“Which Graphic Designers are more successful – Full-time or Part-time?”
http://www.graphicdesignblog.org/graphic-designers-success-fulltime-partime/
Thanks for sharing your point of view and the resource article! Come back soon! Your input is appreciated!
Being a logo designer, I would prefer working as a freelancer. When things could be easily handled working from home why would anyone opt for in-house work.
Good point! Thanks for your input!
Great article, I’m doin both.
I work as well as do freelancing too… I hate it sometimes. This article is a truth.
Thanx
Thanks for commenting! I am glad you liked it!
I was a freelance for 10 years during which time I had 3 kids. Initially it was fine because I could work all the time, break when I needed and the income was good.
The bigger the kids got the less time I had available for anything – work, fun, hobbies etc. Eventually it got too much and I had to get a full time job.
Now I do both – full time at day and freelance stuff at night. It gives me secure income and an interesting range of things to work on. But it can wear you out
So I guess an appropriate mix of the two is my suggestion. If you get a constant part time job to take care of the bills and extra freelance for the diversity.
A mix is a great idea. Like I said, both have their perks! Thanks for the comment and come back soon
I do both in house and freelance. Freelancing ultimately benefits my employer because I pick up new ideas and techniques doing freelancing. I just finished putting my second (and last) kid through college so I’m thinking of doing just one or the other. I’m pretty torn at the moment. I have no real complaints about my pay at the employer or the working conditions. I do think I could make more money freelancing. I have no problem with motivation, I enjoy what I do and if I put the same energy into freelancing as I do at my employer I just don’t see how it could be a fail. Still, the idea of coming home from work and not plopping in front of a screen is appealing. That is the downside to freelancing, it’s always there and there is no escape.
I agree with you about the benefits of being able to leave work at work. Huge plus of in-house work! Thanks for the comment!
Great article Teylor, is my first time reading your blog. I think when you were writting this post it was thinking as an employee, but what do you think if you are running an interactive agency? Which do you prefer for your business structure?
I’m from Argentina and I would like to know your opinion.
Best from Buenos Aires.
L.
Ps: imagino que entendés español perfecto, sos de Santo Domingo? =)
Well, I would have to say freelance is ideal for a smaller company that is just starting out, because you usually would not have the capital to hire all in-house employees. Also, by having various freelance employees, you will have a hirely variety of talent to choose from. However, once you do get large enough as a company, I think in-house is great because you get to really know and mold your employees into what your company really needs. But, still it is useful to keep a handful of specialty freelancers on hand for when you need them, because there is not way your in-house employees can do everything. Thus, I would say a good mix would probably be ideal!
PS: Claro que hablo español. Soy nacido y criado en Santo Domingo
Estamos locos por ir a Argentina y comernos algunas carnes asadas pero todavia estamos esperando la invitacion de Franco Averta.
Espero verte pronto por aqui.
Bye!
Current I’m working full time, fortunately my office give me flexibility time. I do freelance, take project in separate time.
But, of course I prepare to be full in-house freelancer, on it I have to strengthen my finances before take big step. It’s not easy decision if you already have two kids.
So, my first step is run my blog, build relationship, build name, open an opportunity for the big step
Great Plan fandy! Thank you for the comment!
I think at first a designer should work in-house to get some experience as well as make his own freelancing profile strong by doing part time as a freelancer. A experienced designer’s should prefer freelance because of steady income of in-house. Thanks for sharing this nice post.
That is a great idea. I did the same thing where I worked in-house to get experience. Thanks for your comment.
Currently, I work part-time in-house and I freelance. In 2009, I worked full-time in-house and tried to work in some freelance jobs where I could but it was really slow. In December 2009 I negotiated my way into part-time hours. That’s right. I asked my boss for fewer hours.
This month my freelance career has really picked up to the point where I could quit my job (also as a graphic designer) if every month was like this. Unfortunately, I know that there’s a feast & famine cycle to this shindig.
For me, it’s not about the money. Of course that’s important but it’s just an ends for me to have the freedom to chose my own hours and work. And I love it! I can’t stand working full-time at a job but when I’m doing my own stuff I can work all day and all night.
Hopefully in 2011 or 2012 I won’t have a job.
Well, I hope your freelance work picks up! (As do all of us
) Thanks for your comment!
really nice article, thanks for sharing..
freelance suits me best… good article..
This is a great article! I guess i like to do both because i get more freedom with freelance, but i have stability with in-house.
Yes, great point! Thanks for commenting!