[AccessD] Rate for first time

Virginia

When I first started taking on contract jobs, I knew that there were all 
sorts of hidden costs, just like everyone has pointed out. At the same 
time, I realized that I was a bit of a novice and would be learning while I 
worked.

In order to ensure that the employer appreciated my worth, but still be 
fair, I charged $75.00 - and then discounted the jobs based upon my 
knowledge versus my learning. If everything that I did was what I already 
knew, I sometimes didn't even discount it at all. However, on one job, I 
saw that I would be doing many things that I had never done before, and 
that the knowledge I would learn would be of benefit to me for future jobs 
(that I would not be discounting), so I offered that contract with a 50% 
discount ... effectively working for $37.50 per hour.

I not only got the contract, but they liked my honesty (and work) so much 
that they hired me full time. I still do some contract jobs, and the skills 
that I learn or fine-tune every day at my new career permit me to charge 
full price on those side jobs. A win-win situation for me; all because I 
priced my work at full value less a discount.

As long as I'm on this topic, I'd like to thank EVERYONE on this list 
again, as this is where a great deal of my learning has come from, and put 
me in the position that I am today. The gurus are great - they have helped 
me with every single problem that I have presented ... and the lurkers and 
learners have helped me almost as much, because they ask the questions that 
I would have.

Regards,
Bob Gajewski


On Thursday, March 27, 2003 12:32 PM, Marcus, Scott (GEAE, RHI Consulting) 
[SMTP:scott.marcus at ae.ge.com] wrote:
> Virginia,
>
> $10.00 is roughly $20,000 / year. Unskilled labor earns appoximately this
> amount. That is an extremely low rate...I don't care what part of the US 
we are
> talking about. You are in the US, right? I'm not sure what your skill 
level is
> so it is hard to say what would be fair...
>
> Scott
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Hollis,Virginia [mailto:HollisVJ at pgdp.usec.com]
> Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2003 12:16 PM
> To: 'accessd at databaseadvisors.com'
> Subject: [AccessD] Rate for first time
>
>
> I know this has been asked a zillion times...
>
> What is a fair hourly rate for developers? I have been asked to do my 
first
> outside developing for a company. Since this is my first time, is 10.00 
hour too
> low?
>
> They are wanting it set up as a consultant, is that different than an
> independent contractor? I am not sure what the difference would be tax 
wise? Any
> suggestions?
>
> Virginia
>
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