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php-db | 2002091

RE: [PHP-DB] Contract work questions From: Ryan Jameson (USA) (RJameson <email protected>)
Date: 09/13/02

It is off-topic but since I'm not sure where else you could get the info I'll tell you how I do it.

1. I sit down for a planning meeting and I take notes and discuss the project with the potential client (I do bill for this, my rate is anywhere from $45 - $100 /hr depending on if I really want to do it or not)

2. I go home and guess what it will take and double it. I give the client the quote, nothing else and ask them if they'd like to request a proposal. If so I build a full scope document (billed hours again) with my estimate and a place for them to sign.

3. Once they sign I begin the project. I track my hours down to the minute and bill monthly. I really try to avoid project pricing, I've only bid a project price once, and it was quite inflated.

Notes:
1. Don't forget income tax, your client will be sending you a 1099 for this work and the IRS will expect you to pay taxes on it.
2. When billing hourly you should just about always come in under budget as long as the scope does not creep. If it does, be sure to raise the budget at that point so you can still stay under. :-) Customers appreciate a project being done ahead of schedule and under budget. That's why after guessing you should double your estimate.

Anyway, hope that's helpful to someone. :-)

<>< Ryan

-----Original Message-----
From: Some Guy [mailto:mr_ask_a_lot_of_questions <email protected>]
Sent: Friday, September 13, 2002 12:33 PM
To: php-db <email protected>
Subject: [PHP-DB] Contract work questions

Please forgive me for this somewhat off-topic posting.
It just seemed like you folks would definitely have an
answer.

I am a web developer with solid skills but not much
real world experience. I was recently offered some
contract work, but I haven't a clue what to charge.
Also, I know before taking on a project I should get
what is expected of me in writing, but I don't have
any idea what this document should look like. I don't
want to get screwed by tipping my hand to the other
party and telling them I don't know what I'm doing (as
far a the non-tech stuff goes). And I'd prefer that my
co-workers or employer not find out what I'm doing, so
here are some details without giving too much away:

-The client wants a site where one group can enter
information(a couple of demographic questions & an
anecdote) into a form that will be put (via PHP) into
a database (MySQL). Another group will then be able to
view these anecdotes based on limiting criteria (e.g.
location, population, etc.). This is well within my
abilities.
-This project could be a nice experience or a total
pain depending on what the client is going to provide.
I need to document from the outset that they will
provide certain types of data, content, graphics.
-This is for a non-profit. There isn't that much money
to be had. If I had the time, I'd do this project for
next to nothing just for the experience. But I don't
have that luxury.
-I have an actual job already. This will be just a
short-term side project.
-I'm pretty sure that I don't have any competition.

I understand that no one can tell me to just charge x.
There are too many unknowns. Is there somewhere I can
look online for some sort of comparison? What can I
use as a guide? I mean, I don't even have a ballpark
idea. I don't feel compelled to charge as much as they
can stand to pay. I just want to make sure that I'm
not charging 1/10th of what they're expecting. Despite
my prodding they won't tell me what this is worth to
them.
Also, is there some place online that lays out what
needs to be in this sort of a contract? Again I'm not
dealing with some exceedingly professional large
organization - I'm not expecting them to draw this up
for me.
So what I need are:
-some sort of guide/yardstick for what to charge
-sample contracts or just plain advise.
Thanks for you time. And again I'm very sorry for this
somewhat off-topic posting.
--Mr.Questions (call me Tony)

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