Rocky Smolin
rockysmolin at bchacc.com
Sat Nov 6 15:31:45 CDT 2010
I think you have to be clear up front about your charges - hourly rate, travel, extras, etc. - which means also telling them whether you will charge them for the initial consultation and/or the evaluation of the code in preparing the estimate and how much it will be. If they accept your proposal would your eight hours of prep be 'on the clock'? If so, and you want to charge them then I'd be inclined to tell them there's a charge for the evaluation, and promise them a work product that will be worth the money - an evaluation of the current system, state of the code, etc., and recommendations for changes and enhancements. 8 hours is a lot to expect form a consultant without compensation. Of course, it's a bit of poker going on here. You want them to pay but not so much it drives them away. I've always found that you have to give away a bit to get the initial commitment. Only you can judge that one. Rocky -----Original Message----- From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Mark Simms Sent: Saturday, November 06, 2010 11:14 AM To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving' Subject: [AccessD] New engagement; trying to avoid the "tip of the iceberg" consulting trap I'm going in to see a new client (via agency) on Monday. The deal is supposedly this: I interview with them for an hour; assess the project scope and duration. If they like what they hear, then I'm hired. Anyone seasoned in consulting can immediately see the "trap" that's being set. I want to avoid it by only giving them a rough estimate AFTER spending 8 hours with the current code base. I've seen way too much fuggly VBA code to be duped into giving a blind estimate. I'm also afraid they'll only be showing me the "tip of the iceberg". Only question remains: if my estimate at the end of the day is rejected, what do I charge for the 8 hours that they will consider wasted ? Half rate ? Full rate ? In my mind, this is like an initial legal consult...and lawyers usually give you 1 hour for half rate. -- AccessD mailing list AccessD at databaseadvisors.com http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com