price quote for small web project

[secretsquirrel]

hi guys,

i wonder if anyone can help.

i've been asked to do a small web project.

the breakdown is...

- a page which submits the data from a form to...
- a MySQL database
- that's it!

i'm not sure how much to charge, because it's such a small project.

can anyone give me a rough idea? or is my description a bit vague?

thanks in advance,

ss...

 

[BabyJeffy]

Sit down and figure out how much actual time it will take you (from start to finish).

Break the time down into generic "clumps" (database time, coding time, documentation time, client massaging time).

Assign each "clump" a value per hour based on your expertise in that particular area. You might put a value of $10 an hour for client massaging (phone calls, emails etc) but a value of $40 an hour for the coding time.

Do the math... multiply the hours and the value per hour of your time... and you have a figure! The figure may need to be altered... but you have the real value to you of that job - regardless of how small it may appear to you (it's probably a big deal to the client remember).

I'm not going into details on how to figure out the actual value you assign to the "clumps" - that's something that will vary for each individual... but it ought to represent a true cost (and factor in tax, insurance etc as well as the other costs like rent, electricity, training etc).

Jeff

 

[secretsquirrel]

thanks jeff,

i was thinking of doing something like this, but it's a bit awkward, cos it's such a small project.

thanks again,

ss...

 

[RISTMO]

When it's something so small you have to remember that the client will expect it to be even smaller than it is. Don't cheat yourself, but depending on the client (if it's someone stingy or on a small budget), you may want to explain why the price you quote is fair and good for them.

Rick

http://www.ristmo.com/

http://www.arabchurch.com/

http://www.channelministries.com/

http://www.pillarzone.com/

 

[blueark]

Don't let the client bully you into an unfairly low price, and don't rip them off either. If you're fair with your price, and the client is being unreasonable, you'll only waste your time coming down to their level. Better not to take the job at all. The recommendations you may receive from that client will only be to other cheap clients, and that's a road to nowhere. Of course, don't confuse this with a little reasonable bargaining, which is quite normal.