🚀 go-pugleaf

Part-time, evening work doesn't usually get the same rates as day work.
And if you're doing it for a friend, then the rate should reflect the value
of your friendship.

My brother owns a two-man computer service shop, and came over
Saturday and we spend 6 hours working up a 'proof-of-concept' -
a program with all the screen layout, but none of the business logic
intact - so that he can take it to a customer with numbers for an
approval. I usually charge $60/hr for this sort of stuff, but hey - it's
my brother, and I still owe him $500 for the computer parts I got
from him . . .

In your shoes, since you don't have a 'going rate', I would suggest
the following scenario. (If you want to do more of this stuff...)

Sugest to your friend that you want to derive a benefit from him as
he derives a benefit from you. Ask if you can write up a formal
proposal, have him evaluate your bid as he would any other
bid, and offer critique. You will set your rate at $x/ hr and
estimate your time. Then draw up a contract that binds you to
deliver such-and-such functionality by a given time, and obligates
him to pay a determined amount under some terms. Weather or not
you actually sign it is moot - you are gaining experience with the
bidding process while quietly educating your friend on exactly what
he is getting into - and putting you through.

In my experience, most people ask friends to do far more,
and far cheaper, than they realize. When he insists on paying you
a 'fair' price, he may be thinking $6.00/hr while you're thinking $60.00.
(depending on what business he is in).

I started my frst after-hours educational project at $20/hr and it was
very educational. I figured that programming was worth about $60 and
that I would spend two hours learning for every hour I spent actually
producing - hence the price. Trouble was, I was stuck with the rate
long after I stopped doing the two-hours-of-learning thing...

US dollars, midwest (Minnesota) rates are $90-140 in the major metro
areas, $50 - $100 in smaller population areas, and $20-$75/hr for
evening work by novice programmers trying to break into the market.
(Actually, I pity the people who pay $75/hr for newbies, but hey - if
they can get it, more power to them. Makes me look better...)

For what it's worth...

Al


Peter Nolan wrote:

> Hi guys,
>
> I normally don't do programming for others, just our own stuff, but I
> have been asked by a friend with a small business to write a small
> utility program specifically for a process he does daily.
>
> He insists that I charge a fair and reasonable price but I have no
> idea what the going rate is. I guess he could get a quote from a local
> consultant/programmer but that would be a little unfair as there would
> be no chance of the guy getting the job.
>
> When we got the quote, I would equal the offer, and the bond of
> friendship would then sway the contract in my favor, so I don't want
> to waste a local guy's time.
>
> If you would rather keep it confidential then please email a reply,
> otherwise a reply to the group is fine as I lurk daily.
>
> Thanks in advance.
> --
>
> Regards,
>
> Peter Nolan
> CEO Nolan Innovation Inc.
> *********************************
> http://aluminator.tierranet.com
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