Site development cost? Clueless. 1

[bmpsu]

Not sure if this is the right forum.

I had a friend approach me about doing a personal web site. I have no idea what to charge. Any work I have done was for an employer. This would be free-lance work.

I understand all the technical cost. I would research hosting and software cost. But as far as giving a cost for development, I have no idea. I mentioned that I would want to buy a template on line to use (I am no good with graphics and design). On the back end, I would need to set up the site to be hosted and add all content he wants on the site. Some content will include pictures, video clips, and a message board. I have never done a message board, but am assuming a database would be needed to store data. I would also do ongoing maintenance (changing content, adding pictures, etc.).

My questions is; should I charge and hourly rate or overall price (including hosting and software cost?)? And what about ongoing maintenance? Adding a picture or changing content could only take minutes in some cases. Would it be better to include the maintenance in the overall cost?

No idea?

Thanks. If there is a better forum, please let me know.

 

[franklin97355]

Charge an hourly rate and have all other costs pass through to the customer.

 

[bmpsu]

What would you think would be a good range to consider as a rate, given what I have explained above. I don't want to over charge and I don't want to undercharge. Being my first time, I could use this experience as a good base.

Any Thoughts?

 

[bmpsu]

I wanted to add that this could be a one time thing. But if he likes what I did and refers me to other friends, I just want to make sure I know what I am getting into.

 

[chiph]

I would make sure he knows the costs up front. You should prepare an estimate of the number of hours it would take to do the work, and then multiply it by whatever hourly rate you intend to charge, and see if they're still interested.

Chip H.


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[bmpsu]

Chip,

I planned on doing this. With you posting this, it makes me feel better about this approach. The hourly rate is where I am uncertain. I guess come up with what I think would be appropriate and offer flexibility if he doesn't like it.

 

[EBGreen]

One other thing that you might do if you have the time. You might consider just going ahead and doing the first few hours of work concentrating on anything that will be new for you (I think you mentioned forums being new) then you will have a more accurate time estimate because you can include the actual time it took for the piece that you would be guessing the most about. If your friend decides they don't want the site after all, it's true that you will be out that time, but now you know how to do a forum.

[red]"... isn't sanity really just a one trick pony anyway?! I mean, all you get is one trick, rational thinking, but when you are good and crazy, oooh, oooh, oooh, the sky is the limit!" - The Tick[/red]

 

[bmpsu]

I like your approach TomThumbKP. This message board will not be anything to the extent of Tek-Tips, just a place for people to post messages so that he can communicate with them. But not having ever done one, a practice round would be a good idea.

 

[mmorancbt]

If you are hosting with Windows, look at snitz forums as an easy to setup, free, forum software. There are other PHP versions if you host on unix or linux. I've setup snitz forums in about 1 hour.

For a friend I would be very careful about hourly charges without a cap and a strong understanding of total potential costs.

Matthew Moran
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[bmpsu]

Thanks Matthew,

I will definitely look at snitz forums. I will be real carefully to lay out all cost clearly. If this was a close friend, I would probably just do it for free. But this isn't a friend like that and both agreed that this would cost him.

 

[GlenJohnson]

I've always used a floating charge. A person on Social Security will be charged a lot less than a big corporation, both of whom I've done work for. Don't limit yourself to hourly rates that don't change with the job. Just a thought.....

Glen A. Johnson
If you like fun and sun, check out Tek-Tips Florida Forum
"Education is the best provision for old age."
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[bmpsu]

Thanks for the input. This all has been very useful.