RE: Verbal or Written Estimates

2004-03-25 Thread Mosh Teitelbaum 
Jeffry:

Always respond verbally.It's more direct, allows for some back-and-forth,
and more personal.It gives the client more of a sense of connection to
you.After the phone call, follow up with an email message.

In your follow-up email, recap what was discussed in the discussion and
reiterate that, at this very early stage, with minimal definition or
analysis of requirements, what you're providing is a very general estimate.
Make sure you say it over and over again that as the requirements change,
the estimate must also change.And make sure you estimate high.Depending
on the client, maybe very high.

HTH

--
Mosh Teitelbaum
evoch, LLC
Tel: (301) 942-5378
Fax: (301) 933-3651
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
WWW: http://www.evoch.com/

-Original Message-
From: Jeffry Houser [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 6:36 AM
To: CF-Jobs-Talk
Subject: Verbal or Written Estimates

A client was pushing me into a ballpark time-frame and estimate using a
half-written spec (they provided, not myself).They made the request via
email.

Is it better to respond via email or verbally over the phone?

Discuss amongst yourselves.

I understand the written word can be powerful; but I'm sure it will be
used against me 3 months down the line when they try to scope creep a cure
for cancer into their project.

They sent the request around 8 o'clock last night.Knowing I would be
off site today, I'm not sure if they were using sly negotiating tactics to
try to push me in a corner or if they are just busy and disorganized.( At
this point, I could go either way )
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RE: Verbal or Written Estimates

2004-03-25 Thread Cameron Childress 
It's also possible they are using this information to compare your services
to someone else's.

I would respond with a time frame and estimate with accuracy and
completeness equal to their current spec.IF they have a vague spec, then
you should respond with a vague answer, and I would typically do this in
email.

A response I'd typically make to a request like this would be something like
It will be difficult to pin down exact numbers until we pin down the scope
of the project a little better.Having said that, projects like this
typically take around 20 to 35 weeks at a cost of $100,000 to $150,000.

This is a ballpark timeframe and cost, which is all they asked for, and
gives you some wiggle room later on.

-Cameron

-
Cameron Childress
Sumo Consulting Inc
---
land:858.509.3098
cell:678.637.5072
aim:cameroncf
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]

-Original Message-
From: Jeffry Houser [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 3:36 AM
To: CF-Jobs-Talk
Subject: Verbal or Written Estimates

A client was pushing me into a ballpark time-frame and estimate using a
half-written spec (they provided, not myself).They made the request via
email.

Is it better to respond via email or verbally over the phone?

Discuss amongst yourselves.

I understand the written word can be powerful; but I'm sure it will be
used against me 3 months down the line when they try to scope creep a cure
for cancer into their project.

They sent the request around 8 o'clock last night.Knowing I would be
off site today, I'm not sure if they were using sly negotiating tactics to
try to push me in a corner or if they are just busy and disorganized.( At
this point, I could go either way )

--
Jeffry Houser, Web Developer, Writer, Songwriter, Recording Engineer
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--
AIM: Reboog711| Phone: 1-203-379-0773
--
My Books: http://www.instantcoldfusion.com
Recording Music: http://www.fcfstudios.com
Original Energetic Acoustic Rock: http://www.farcryfly.com
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