Current loctn: pricing > pricing index

Initial Consultation

Initial consultations and project evaluation are typically provided free of charge. The purpose of the initial project evaluation is to verify an appropriate match to our skills, to provide a reliable estimate of probable expense, and to provide information useful for discussion of alternative job strategies. The amount of free time provided varies with the type of project:

Software/database development and implementation projects

Up to 6 hours of work are provided free of charge for project evaluation. Additional hours spent on initial project evaluation are charged only if the project proposal is accepted by the client.

Software/database repair/modification

Typically, up to an hour is provided free of charge to evaluate the nature of the repair required and provide a rough estimate of resources and expenses that are likely to result.

Software/database needs analysis/design

Up to 3 hours of time are provided free of charge for project evaluation. Additional hours spent on initial project evaluation are charged only if the project proposal is accepted by the client.

Statistical consulting

Up to 3 hours are provided free of charge for project evaluation.

Website planning/design

Up to 3 hours are provided free of charge for project evaluation.

If we cannot provide expertise required for the project, we will suggest appropriate alternatives.

Charges

Charges are based on hours worked to complete the project, charged at an agreed hourly rate.

• The hourly rate of pay is negotiated on a per-project basis.
• The rate offered will depend on project details and size of the client organization.
• Time worked on a project is formally tracked. Detailed reports of time use are typically provided with invoices.
• Discounts
  • Projects that provide useful skill development offer an important peripheral benefit to us. These projects are generally offered a lower rate.
  • Projects that result in development of tools, etc that can be readily reused in other projects offer an important peripheral benefit to us. These projects are generally offered a lower rate.
  • Time spent on background research we consider to be general professional development of our workers is not charged.

In most cases, an outline of proposed work will be submitted for the client’s feedback and approval before the project is started in earnest. This document will include estimates of

• expected total charges for the project
• expected time required from client staff to provided needed details of the work needed

Overtime Charges

Overtime charges apply under these conditions:

• work is requested on a rush basis that cannot be scheduled into available time during standard office hours
• our employees are required to work more than 40 hours a week to meet the requested timelines

In these situations an additional $20/hr is charged

We typically have a backlog of several weeks work with only small amounts of time reserved for preliminary work on new projects or emergency responses. As a result, overtime rates may readily apply to work that cannot be scheduled in advance.

Standard Charges for Businesses: $95-$130/hr

Standard Charges Non-profits: $70-$100/hr

Client/Consultant Partnership

Deciding whether a consultant is a good match to a given project is something like choosing a therapist. Mutual trust and acceptance - a fundamental faith that everyone is doing the best that they can - is important. Software development projects include inherent difficulties that emphasize that importance. Issues as intangible as personality types can play an important role.

To confirm a good developer/project match, you might need:

• conversations about general work approach
• checks with provided references
• examination of past work products
• checks of calendars for availability of key personnel

This evalation is mutual. We often do some background research on potential clients.

The therapist parallel can provide additional insight... Realistically, you can't require that your therapist fix your marital problems in 5 visits, by June 1, etc. Why? Therapy is too complex for these kinds of predictions to be reliable. The situations to be addressed and the approaches needed cannot be accurately predicted at the start. Prediction difficulties in software development can be similar.

In our experience, the best results come from a client/developer partnership. Adversarial situations typically provide less desirable outcomes. If a potential client considers a consultant to be an adversary, our sincere professional recommendation is that a different consultant should be obtained. The adversary climate contaminates a project and prevents top-notch work... it is in everyone's interest to avoid this situation...

Last modified: 11:34:55 19-Mar-2015