Sweav, a Dutch-founded freelance consulting platform, is expanding into the UK market with the stated aim of challenging the pricing models of traditional professional services firms. The platform operates on an 'open book' principle, ensuring transparency in its fee structure.
Under Sweav's model, professionals set their own rates and receive 100% of that amount. Sweav's fee is applied as a percentage on top of the professional's rate. This fee is tiered, starting at 20% for the first 500 hours of a project, decreasing to 15% for hours between 501 and 1,500, and further reducing to 12% for hours exceeding 1,500. For shorter engagements or executive roles, a flat 20% fee is charged.
The platform contrasts this with traditional agencies and brokers, which it claims often operate with undisclosed margins that can stack up to around 40%. Sweav states that its transparent approach means both the client and the professional see the same numbers, with the client paying the professional's rate plus Sweav's fee. Clients are expected to pay within 30 days, and professionals receive their payment within five working days of the client's payment being received.
