Matt, I've been asking a similar question to no avail. I'm glad someone started this thread over here.
As it seems from your post that you have quite some experience doing this on your own. I just wanted to ask some advice of you. Do you suggest having a set hourly rate, set in stone? Like for example, $35/hour. I guess what I am wondering is if there should be different rates based on, project planning, as opposed to actual development? Next, should there be a different rate for database development, versus application development (PHP, ColdFusion, Java coding), versus graphic design, versus straight html. Also do you recommend "padding" hours, based on the above (padding slightly higher for database, or CF Code, as opposed to html). I'm trying to establish a loyal customer base, in baby steps. I'll sometimes do small projects for free, or for a very low flat-fee, to start. I'm hoping that once they are blown away by the results, I'll get referrals, and the clients will be more than happy to pay a higher rate based on proven results. Cheers --Ali >If the issue is whether or not you can quote a standardized rate to a >client, my answer is an emphatic "yes", and no, don't be greedy as in >set the price on a job-specific basis. > >Often my clients hear me say that there are only two types of jobs: >"Brain surgery" and "Legwork". Brain surgery equates to "I don't know >how I'll deliver that but having been a paid programmer for 23 years, >I'll be able to figure it out." Legwork is "yeah been there done >that... no problem." > >Either way this, to me, is just a function of time spent. I place a >value on my time that I am happy earning no matter the task presented >to me. So I make money. More importantly, the client comes back for >the next job (and the next and the next...) because you have given >them a baseline that they know they can count on. Your code spoke for >itself so between the two you get customer loyalty that becomes a >snowball rolling downhill. > >This strategy -- billing straight time at a single rate -- has worked >so well for me that I'm now consistently booked solid. Actually have >more work than I can handle, and all from long-term clients. First >tried stemming the tide with a judiciously applied 50% rate increase. >When that didn't work, I had to stop taking new clients. I'm still >backed up at least a month. > >-- >--mattRobertson-- >Janitor, MSB Web Systems >mysecretbase.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Logware (www.logware.us): a new and convenient web-based time tracking application. Start tracking and documenting hours spent on a project or with a client with Logware today. Try it for free with a 15 day trial account. http://www.houseoffusion.com/banners/view.cfm?bannerid=67 Message: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=i:4:227816 Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/threads.cfm/4 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=s:4 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.4 Donations & Support: http://www.houseoffusion.com/tiny.cfm/54
