Contract Negotiations?

[swestrup]

It looks like a small contract programming job may have just fallen into my lap, but I'm unsure of how to proceed. The last contract job I did was 15 years ago, and I wasn't great at the negotiations then.

The client seems to be a small time seller of HVAC monitoring software who wants a few modifications made to his C/C++ source. The work seems simple enough but the prelimnary sketch of the work I've seen if quite vague on details, and I know nothing about the internal shape of the software nor how extensive the changes will have to be to support the new functionality.

The client has essentially sent me a random collection of pieces of documentation and a vague to-do list and said "Read this over and we can talk." Well, I've done the first part, but I'm unsure as how to do the next. Suggestions, here, by email, or by phone, are welcome.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/hub_/]

Give them an hourly or daily rate, ask them more a real todo list to be able to evaluate the time to be spend. Or just ask the for the todo list and give them a flat fee and an estimate of when it'll be done.

At least, that's what I would do.

[swestrup]

What kind of hourly or daily rate are folks quoting these days? One friend has suggested US$100/hr but I don't know if thats reasonable or out of line.

I also already HAVE a todo list, but I don't have the software which I need to modify. If its well written the changes should take a couple of days. If its the mess I fear it will be, it could take a month. How on earth do I give an estimate in that case?

[http://users.livejournal.com/hub_/]

$100 / hr does not seems to be excessive IMHO. But I don't know what are the rates here in Canada.

[skjalm.livejournal.com]

Last time I did contract work (this fall for a company in USA) I got USD100/hour. The last time I did contract work in Denmark I got a slightly higher fee - due to a tax thing ;-)

So I'd suggest that you either tell them that you have a fixed $100/hour fee or that you give them a slightly higher estimate with the possiblity of negotiation. However, you should be aware that once you've let them know that negotiation is a possibility they will try to force you as low as possible.

[joenotcharles.livejournal.com]

Off the top of my head, I'd say that you should get the code from them (with NDA) and give them an exact time that you'll give them your full proposal after seeing the code.

[denizsarikaya.livejournal.com]

USD 100/hr is not too much to charge from what I hear, but I can ask around. I'm wondering if it's low.

Also, talk to my roommate about presenting proposals.

[swestrup]

Tried to call her yesterday, but she wasn't in. I'll try to call again today.