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I have recently been asked to do a side job for a local firm(NY Metro Area). The client is looking for me to do the follwing:
1-Build and configure a windows 2000 server,transfer all data from workstations to server, set up security/users, backup system etc.
2-Conigure 9 workstations to connect to the server(build 3 new machines) consisting of Win98 and Win2000.
3-Set up DSL connection/proxy server.
The wiring has already been done.
My question is how much should(and could)I charge for this work. I am expecting it to take probably two nights during the week or posssibly one day on the weekend.
Thanks in advance for the advice

7 replies

by mcse rabbi

Three ways to bill this:

1) Hourly
2) Set price for the project
3) Set price + hourly if it goes beyond the expected pre-arranged time

I'd go with option 3 personally.

The trick is to find the set price. If you go too low, it's not going to be worth your time. You go too high, you run the risk of over-bidding and losing the job.

Try this:

Look at what the average mid-level IT person makes in the NY Metro area (say, $75-80k annual--I have no idea). That comes out to be about $40 per hour. Add 30 percent or so because you are a 1099 consultant and make it $50 per hour. Five hours x 2 days, plus 8 hours on a Saturday = 18 hours. Even it up at 20. 20 x $50 = $1,000

Work up a proposal for the client. Tell them your normal rate is $65 per hour, but you're willing to do it for a flat rate. Give them a 20 hour estimate at $50 per hour for a total cost of $1,000. Throw in an extra 5 hours "free". Anything above 25 hours will cost them $65 per hour. This givesthem some incentive not to "abuse" your time, and it gives you some room in case you run into any unforseen problems (which I will gurantee you will). The client get's a deal, you make some money, and you don't get roped into a 3 week project with those constant as-long-as-you-are-here-will-you-check-out .

Personally, I think 2 weeknight and a Saturday is cutting it close. You might want to bump it up to about 25 hours + 5 "free". Also, as additionaly incentive (I do this frequently) is I raise the price a bit and give them 3 months of "limited tech support" included. Set them up with anti-virus, a firewall, etc. Offer to come in and apply service packs, etc. Make sure this additional work is VERY specific. If they are a small business and don't have much cash, consider doing a monthly bill of 25% or so. Include your "service contract" in this.

by ann777

You need to come up with an hourly rate ($'s) that is justifiable for the work you do and the area (NY Metro) you are in. Then give an estimate of how much you will charge based on that expected hourly rate.

The amount of time it actually takes depends on how much data you have to migrate from workstations, whether you run into physical (hardware) problems with any of the old computers that you need to correct in order to be able to accomplish within the time frame, etc.

In orther words, you need to be able to give them an hourly rate (for expected time) and then a bill explaining why it took longer than predicted with the additional parts or hours used.

My experience is that oftentimes people will ask you to resolve other issues while you are there and you need to okay those beforehand (or not) with the person who hired you to do this. If something happens in install (hardware failure or whatever), then you and they must have some flexibility of expectations.

Ultimately, consulting depends on "being reasonable" and being "flexible" -- especially with customers.

by fenaikh

Hi

I a gree with first and second answer and i would add these points since i have faced them with some clients.
I would go to the site and make estmetion of how much realy work needed such as where the WS and server location is and is it in the same area wher no transporting needed and installing extra hardware such as a modem. Do I need extra cabling work and is the cabling standard and so. What type of data and does it need conversion say flat file to data base and how much of that data. Make a written proposal then a signed agreement in what have to be done and what charge for it is .Any extra licenceing or purchsing of extra software needed for completing the task any change should be charged to the customer. Have one person as apoint of contact and authorzation of change of a plan from the person has the power to do desigens or who is apointed by him (her).What about cabling problems and clear that to them that fixing problems with cabling or hardware will be charged extraand you are not liable for dealy for that work. Adminstartor work during support period such as installing a new software and hardware by you or other vendor and its effect to the setting such as adding users or a printer and viruses cleaning and hardware fialure and any other disaster.I would sperate estments of actual work from support where a $$$ for the task and 3 months of support cost extra $$$.

Good luck

Mohamed

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