I am looking for information on typical rates charged for web design
work.

The work involves interfacing with databases both to produce dynamic
pages and to allow users to post information to the site. The
scripting is in PHP, and some of the HTML work is left to me as well.
The site is virtual-hosted, so server administration is not involved.

I would like to know how this kind of work is distributed between
hourly and flat-rate pay arrangements.

I would also like to know what a standard hourly rate for this work
would be, and hopefully get some references for descriptions of
flat-rate projects and the rate that was charged. Samples where I can
see the completed site would be excellent, because that will help me
compare it to what I am working on.

The answer to this question depends on whether you are employed or
freelancing
Employed web designers get payed based on their skill set and their
experience.  Across the U.S., a web designer typically earns
$38,813.37 and an average bonus of
7%(http://www.webdesignerjobs.com/ejobs_cfmfiles/salary/view_salary.cfm?RequestTimeout=300)
However, the production of a web-based application requires an entire
team of people, and depending what your job is within that team, your
salary can range from $25000 (Assistant) - $100000 (Project Manager).
The job that you specified, including HTML and database programming
would start at around $40000 and make go up to $120000 depending on
the database complexity and your ability to manage it.  Hourly, these
can range from $35 - 50/hr to start and can go up to 90 - 100/h.  Once
again, this is completely dependant on project requirements and your
skills.  No sane manager is going to be paying you $100/h for writing
a comment page.  But if you were say, integrating an online network of
WAP connected cellphones with an SQL database that required 99% uptime
and efficiency, well, that's another matter.
(http://www.emediastaffing.com/html/salary_guide.html)

If you are a freelancer, http://www.ecommercebase.com/article/483
provides a nice summary of how you should define your rates, based on
current industry rates listed above.  But in addition to the factors
listed above, your reputation is also a huge factor in determining
your salary.  The site designers of http://www.2advanced.com/ for
example, can charge much more then the average web designer because of
his many corporate clients and he has been featured at many design
conventions.

A site like http://www.phan.ca/ would at most, cost $500 to make. 
http://www.wired-web.com/design.htm provides an article on website
costs.

Generally, if you are employed by a company, you will be played a
yearly salary.  However, if you are a free-lancer, then you will most
likely be charging by per hour.  The only exception to this is if the
website is small, in which case a flat rate is charged.

Hope this helps.

-Tox-ga

Hi,
   If you want to how to price your work then check the following link
http://webdesign.about.com/cs/pricingsalaries/
It tells you in detail how to price webprojects and other useful tips
like how to estimate the work, how to price the projects etc.

http://www.kessels.com/Webdesign/howto.html
This links also tell about the normal cost charged by programmers.

In general to decide flat rates or hourly rates
If the specification is very clear go for fixed flat price.
If the specification is vague or need lot of revision go for hourly
rates.
For Analysis and post production support phase go for hourly rates.
For Design, Buid and unit testing phase go for fixed price

If you want to outsource your work then I suggest to post your work in
Http://www.rentacoder.com
Http://www.elance.com for bidding.

Hope it helps.

RAC