Which term describes a fixed charge for a service regardless of time spent?

• A. Fixed fee
• B. Retainer
• C. Hourly rate
• D. Billable hours

Answer: (A)

The main idea is pricing for professional services. A fixed fee is a single, set amount charged for a service, no matter how many hours it takes. This gives the client predictability and sets the total cost upfront, with the provider bearing any extra time beyond the agreed scope. In contrast, an hourly rate charges based on time spent, so the total depends on how long the work takes; billable hours are the actual hours recorded for work done. A retainer is an upfront payment to secure service and may be drawn against future work, but it isn’t necessarily the fixed price for a specific task. So the best term for a fixed charge regardless of time spent is fixed fee.