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Freelance Programming Question

Started by Pseudo Aug 15, 2001 at 1:01 PM 3 replies 250+ views

Original Post

Aug 15, 2001 at 1:01 PM

I''m 19 y/p and my uncle hooked me up with a guy that wants me to make a simple windows program for him (to organize some data, and make a nice interface), but I''m not sure what to charge him. I''m meeting him tomorrow for lunch to talk about the project, and I assume he will want to know how much I want. I''m a solid programmer, and I''m sure the work won''t be too difficult, but I since I have never programmed for anyone but my self I''m unsure what to charge him. I really want some input from people about what they would charge, and whether they do it hourly, or as a lump sum. I don''t think it will take more than a week or two to write, so the lump sum wouldn''t be bad.

Buster

Aug 15, 2001 at 1:23 PM

The possible range is huge. One could charge anywhere from $40 to $200 an hour, based on experience, taget environment, etc.

For instance, here are some projects I''ve done lately:

MFC Windows App: $65/hour
Windows App: $50/hour
Windows App, with Intel JPG lib and 3rd party scanner library: $125/hour
AI for game: $140/hour
-M

JonStelly

Aug 15, 2001 at 1:44 PM

I work for a software company and don''t do any freelance programming, but if I did, I would charge a base of $50 an hour. If they want you to use different technologies / etc... I would probably bump that figure a little. So for a simple user interface that organizes data, maybe you use some ADO and store the information in an access database, another $5 an hour. If they want it in a SQL database, maybe add $10 an hour. It would really depend on the project I guess, but I would say anything from $50 to $75 an hour would be fair. Maybe stick more towards the $50 an hour since it''s your first project.

Just get it done and done well so you might be able to use the guy later as a reference for more jobs like this if it''s something you''re interested in doing.

Pseudo

Aug 15, 2001 at 2:46 PM

Another question I have relates to how the hours are kept track of. If I spend 5 hours reading about, and experimenting with SQL, should I charge the same about as I would for doing the programming? Also, would I just keep a log of all the work I do on an hourly basis, or would my employer just have to take my word that I put in the time I said I put in?

ColdFace

Aug 15, 2001 at 3:03 PM

Keep a log of all the work you do for the project. Everything that is project related you charge to the project. If you are working on your own computer at home than set aside a certain amount of time that day that you will work on the project. This work will include everything you do for the project whether it is coding or reading a book on how too write code for something in c++ or using SQL.If you are working at there offices take your books with you. Money wise so far what has been mentioned is on par with what I charge through my company. Hope this Helps.

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