[AccessD] RE: [dba-OT] Contract Work - Time Sensitive Question : x-posted d ba-OT

<kidding> Danger, Will Robinson!  Danger!! </kidding>

I don't know how universal it is, but for me, a good rule of thumb has
been this:  If the client thinks it should be easy, it will be very
complex; if the client thinks it will be really hard to do, it will be
very easy, and the client will be easily impressed.

I would give them an hourly rate for you to do an analysis of what they
need and what the environment is.  Take this information to give them an
estimate, based on time and materials, for you to complete the task.
Provide an additional estimate for your time with beta testing issues and
support, if need be.

This sounds like a lot, I know, for what seems like a simple task.
Sometimes, however, it is the simple tasks that mutate from scope creep,
and you find yourself in a never-ending quagmire where you don't get paid
for your work, and neither you nor the client is happy.

HTH,

Steve



----- Mark S. Mitsules' Original Message-----
 
If anyone has 5-10 minutes to spare, I'd appreciate your thoughts on the
following scenario.  A co-worker has just given my name/number to a small
medical office that is looking for some custom work. The 2 second
description was "create a report based on data from several databases".

Now many of you, I'm sure, have been approached by clients who have
received
several quotes of hourly rates and were put off at the high prices and no
estimation as to time of completion.  First question, how do you address
the
customer's concern knowing full well that without a fairly accurate scope
of
work, you would most likely have answered similarly to everyone else?

At face value, the project seems like a cake walk;)  However, the unknown
variables have me concerned.  I'm sure many of you, when you first began,
may have started out this way, without the structure of business licenses,
contracts, insurance, etc.  What I'm politely asking is, what is an
acceptable way for me to approach this?  At the moment, this is a one-off
situation that I would like to handle in the simplest manner possible.
Again, politely, what I'm not asking for is suggestions to hire an
attorney,
an accountant, set up an LLC, etc.  In the short term, many people have
worked this way in the past successfully...I'm just hoping to get some
idea
of best practices.

Thank you,


Mark