Guidelines Needed Charging Clients

[Lykus]

Since I left school I have jumped into Microsoft Access database design on my own because I am finding it difficult to find work without 1 to 3 years of experience typically required by the current job market. This leaves me without any gut feeling for how to charge my customers. Charging by the hour is difficult to do fairly because I am not as efficient as more experienced programmers. Charging by the form, query, report, macro, or module, however, doesn't accurately capture the time variable associated with extensive scripting. Any guidelines offered in regards to charging and possibly ballpark rates would be hugely appreciated!!!

[pbmods]

Heya, Lykus.

As a contractor, you have to charge by the hour, and not just hours worked but hours spent on the phone, answering emails, pondering, anything related to the client's project.

It's the only way to stay profitable.

If you're concerned that you aren't as efficient as more experienced programmers, then you can simply charge less per hour.

But my recommendation would be to charge as much as your customers are willing to pay and don't worry about whether or not they're getting their money's worth as long as they think they are.

Starting out, you could easily charge $50 per hour or more. More if you also do design work (note that you should charge more regardless of who does the design work; if you contract it out, you'll need to pay the designer!).

[Lykus]

Heya, Lykus.

As a contractor, you have to charge by the hour, and not just hours worked but hours spent on the phone, answering emails, pondering, anything related to the client's project.

It's the only way to stay profitable.

If you're concerned that you aren't as efficient as more experienced programmers, then you can simply charge less per hour.

But my recommendation would be to charge as much as your customers are willing to pay and don't worry about whether or not they're getting their money's worth as long as they think they are.

Starting out, you could easily charge $50 per hour or more. More if you also do design work (note that you should charge more regardless of who does the design work; if you contract it out, you'll need to pay the designer!).

Thank you very much pbmods! By the way, how do you handle liability, I am told that one thing to do is to incorporate one's business to prevent personal assets from being claimed in a lawsuit. What are your thoughts on this and do you have any other suggestions?

[pbmods]

Heya, Lykus.

In the US, you can form a Limited Liability Corporation. It costs something on the scale of $100-200, depending on the state.

Here's a quickie article:
http://www.nolo.com/article.cfm/obje...1/182/245/ART/

[Lykus]

Heya, Lykus.

In the US, you can form a Limited Liability Corporation. It costs something on the scale of $100-200, depending on the state.

Here's a quickie article:
http://www.nolo.com/article.cfm/obje...1/182/245/ART/

Okay, I will look into that. Thank you very much!