[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.
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