Yea, it is troubling to have to list it per page, but you do need some way to put limits on the work and that is a pretty concrete way.
I bid on a per project basis. First there is a design process with comps where the client decides what the overall site will look like. That is a separate line item. Then the first page or two get built out. From there I caclulate it on a per page basis depending on how large the site is. Most of the work is in the design and build out of the first couple of pages.
I have also begun to quote this as an estimate that will be billed hourly. And if they start to excede the budget, I notify them ahead of time. Otherwise you can really get in trouble. Some clients require so much hand holding and often the cheapest ones are the most demanding.
But when I need a concrete bid, I hold them to a page count and a certain number of revisions. That way it is clear when they are going over, or at least I have something concrete I can point to.
Either way the key is organization and clear communication to allow you avoid spending to much time and to avoid upsetting the client with unexpected fees.
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