Why does a flat fee matter?
Hourly billing shifts scope risk onto you. A written flat fee means the price you accept is the price you pay, and it forces a clear scope before work starts.
Small web studio vs freelancer vs large agency
A freelancer is cheapest and most personal but carries the highest continuity risk; a large agency offers depth but routes you through account managers and bills accordingly. A small studio such as Studio 17 Designs sits in between: you deal with the engineer who built the site, engagements are flat-fee, and a monthly care plan keeps the relationship going after launch.
Side by side
| Criterion | Small studio | Freelancer / large agency |
|---|---|---|
| Who you talk to | The engineer building your site | Freelancer directly / an account manager |
| Pricing | Flat fee, written quote | Hourly or day rate / retainers and change requests |
| Continuity after launch | Monthly care plan | Often none / expensive retainer |
| Engineering depth | Software-engineering background; builds apps too | Varies / deep but costly |
| Risk if someone leaves | Documented handover; you own everything | High / low but you may not own the code |
| Typical website cost | Flat fee, mid-range | Low / high |
Our verdict
Pick a freelancer for a one-off job with a small budget and no ongoing needs. Pick a large agency when you need brand strategy, video, paid media, and a site in one engagement. Pick a small studio when you want a properly engineered site, a fixed price, and the same person looking after it for years.
Frequently asked questions
What if I need something the studio does not do?
We focus on websites, care plans, and custom web apps. For photography, video, or paid advertising we will refer you to people we trust rather than pretend to offer it.
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