really? can anybody confirm this?
I can Rhythm. I had over 12 quotes on one of my projects and all agencies charged between $100 and $160 per hour.
For the design and some custom coded features I spent in excess of $17k which incidentally was charged at $110/hour ex. Add on top of that a mobile web app which came in at around $7k.
While I appreciate there are designers who work for less and that going to an agency probably added some fat to the bill, it was money happily spent.
I think it comes down a project by project basis. I got a quote once for $640 from another agency to put together a couple of banner ads - which I obviously didn't do. I outsource a lot of stuff to designers I've met through small job postings on guru(dot)com who gladly work for $10-$20 USD an hour, however, that only works when I know exactly what I want and how to communicate it.
I guess more on topic, there are hundreds of Australian agencies who love potential customers like me that are only 80% there on an idea and need them to connect the dots and show the way.
If you were going to setup a template site or offer "We build your 5 page website for $997" sort of thing then $22k would still be a wise investment - but for an established agency or aspiring one, they'll be laughing all the way to bank.
Cheers,
T