Susan Harkins
ssharkins at gmail.com
Thu Oct 4 09:12:06 CDT 2007
First, you have to define bug and an unspecified request for change. A bug is something they asked for, but isn't working as they expected. If you can determine that the problem is on their end -- they didn't supply the right parameters, etc. -- you might try to charge for fixing that, but the convincing might take more time than just fixing the dang thing. If you made the mistake, you fix it for free. Changing something they don't like is up in the air -- if it's a simple fix, do it for the sake of good will. If it's going to take some time, send them a quote. Or, you could put them on a monthly service fee and do whatever they like as they crop up. This seems to be a popular trend, but I can see the sell being difficult for smaller applications. Susan H. On 10/4/07, Lawrence Mrazek <lmrazek at lcm-res.com> wrote: > > Jim mentioned bug fixes ... Do we have opinions on whether you charge for > them or not? > > Larry Mrazek > LCM Research, Inc. > www.lcm-res.com > lmrazek at lcm-res.com > ph. 314-432-5886 > mobile: 314-496-1645 > > -----Original Message----- > From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com > [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Jim Dettman > Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 7:50 AM > To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving' > Subject: Re: [AccessD] consulting fees > > Charlotte, > > <<You don't set enough value on your time, Jim. >> > > Hum...don't know about that. Long ago, my rate was approx double what it > was now and it caused a multitude of problems. > > One of which was the never ending fight with some clients about what was > considered billable or not. Every invoice I sent was checked and god > forbid > I took ten minutes to get a coffee and forget to deduct it. Bug fixes was > another. Many times I got the "I'm not paying you $135/hr to make > mistakes" > comment. They expected everything to be fixed for free. Of course that > meant everything needed to be documented to the hilt, which actually > slowed > down the pace of many projects. > > There is also the issue of resentment that you need to deal with. A lot > of management and employees end up with the attitude that your "one of > those" (highly paid consultants) instead of "one of them" (a guy trying to > make a living). > > So quite some time ago, I cut my rate in half (has to be at least ten > years). As a result, I have a lot less headaches, still make $100K per > year, which is quite comfortable for where I live, have never been without > full time work, and I have a lot of happy clients that I can deal with > easily. > > There are of course some drawbacks, like never having enough free time to > learn new things, etc, but I'm happy enough with the way things are. > > Jim. > > -----Original Message----- > From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com > [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Charlotte Foust > Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 5:37 PM > To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving > Subject: Re: [AccessD] consulting fees > > You don't set enough value on your time, Jim. I only offer that kind of a > rate to non-profits or special buddies. My normal rate is (was, I haven't > done any consulting lately) between $150 and $200 depending on how much > they > irritate me! LOL > > Charlotte Foust > > -----Original Message----- > From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com > [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Jim Dettman > Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:25 PM > To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving' > Subject: Re: [AccessD] consulting fees > > > I must be cheap<g> as I'm charging $70/hr. Doesn't matter what I do; > development, training, doc's, travel time, etc. > > I charge for my time and not the skill set. > > Jim. > > -----Original Message----- > From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com > [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Susan Harkins > Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:59 PM > To: AccessD at databaseadvisors.com > Subject: [AccessD] consulting fees > > I have a unique consulting opportunity and I want to make sure I don't > under/over bid myself -- it's strictly for technical expertise -- not a > development or writing project. I'd be reviewing technical content for > technical accuracy, comprehension, and advice. This is much more than a > technical editor -- they already have that -- but rather, I'd be acting as > a > technical advisor/collaborator. > > My consulting fees are $135 an hour, but I'm in Kentucky and no one ever > even bats an eye. This company is in Texas. I don't do development work > anymore, period. > > I don't want to be too nosy and ask you guys what you charge. Advice? > Opinions? Insight? > > Susan H. > -- > AccessD mailing list > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > -- > AccessD mailing list > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > -- > AccessD mailing list > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > -- > AccessD mailing list > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > > -- > AccessD mailing list > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com >