Estimating jobs

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Estimating jobs

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All Forums >> Web Development >> Search Engine Optimization and Web Business >> Estimating jobs

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_gail Posts: 2869 From: So FL Status: offline	Estimating jobs - 9/17/2002 9:12:55 Any hints about how to estimate the cost for a job for a website? Certainly experience will teach you a lot but there are always those first few jobs where you have little experience to guide you. Maybe I can figure out how long certain tasks will take and can calculate those costs based on an hourly fee. But, particularly for someone who is just beginning to get paying jobs, what factors should be taken into consideration when pricing other than the obvious? thanks, gail


barry Posts: 731 Joined: 6/26/2002 From: Baltimore, MD Status: offline	RE: Estimating jobs - 9/17/2002 12:59:44 Hi Gail, I am in a very similar position. I have gotten 8 jobs in the last 2 months. Many of those jobs was because I really underpriced the work in order to build my potfolio and experience, (these companies would not pay the going rate and was looking for a deal) Now I have found that getting my mind into higher pay ranges is the real challenge. If I think " cheap" I quote " cheaply" . After informing the client of my limitations and expertise ( I don' t build sites full time), I find that the willingness to work with a client has cost me money in the long run. They sometimes get me to do things over and above the original specs. Cutting to the chase - The proposal pack that Thomas has on the front has helped me greatly! I now clearly spell out what the job is, mile stones and payment info. After writing it up it also helps me understand their expectations and budget and know what I am getting myself into. If they are unwilling to get all of their information and expectaions to me then I decide if they are worth dealing with anyway. I have had two occasions when the client had a totally unrealistic budget. When they saw on paper the hours, scale and scope of what they were asking they realalized they had to pay me more for the work they wanted. Also the questionnaire in that package in invaluable! Some folks look at others web sites and thats what they want until they understand the work and maintenace that goes into getting it. Lastly, most of the sites I did " on the cheap" are a pain in the BUTT! They think everything should be included in the " chump change" I charged them months ago! Totally my fault! Hope this helps. Barry in Baltimore < Message edited by barry -- 9/16/2002 1:03:36 PM > (in reply to _gail)


erinatkins Posts: 3072 From: Mechanicsville VA USA Status: offline	RE: Estimating jobs - 9/18/2002 8:41:20 Gail, That is a tough one. We have an almost standard price for a 5 page static site. For start out companies we offer a discount. This gives us a little buffer to allow for changes. ( If pages are small - I have added some at same $) As mentioned in other posts in this forum - there is some going back & forth on design. Getting things in writing help. If when you meet with a client you think the work will take 10 hours - I would allow 13-15 to cover things. I on occasion have said I think it will take 15 hours but if I am able to create it under it - I give them a break and I look good. On the other hand you will also have some clients that say they want this & half way through the project they start making BIG changes. You need to let them know ASAP that this was not in the scope of project & let them know what it will cost to do this. They may change there mind or agree to pay more. If a site will have lots of graphics - you need to allow time to optimize them. We ran into 1 site when it was only going to have a few pictures & ended up having 50 pictures. They all needed to be adjusted. You might want to say that x # of pictures per page are included - additional cost if they are not optimized. Hope this helps some. Erin (in reply to _gail)


carrie Posts: 215 From: Port Orange, FL Volusia Status: offline	RE: Estimating jobs - 3/16/2008 0:26:29 Hi all, Where can I get this proposal pack mentioned in the above post? Carrie (in reply to erinatkins)


jaybee Posts: 13784 Joined: 10/7/2003 From: Berkshire, UK Status: offline	RE: Estimating jobs - 3/16/2008 20:40:41 You're lucky it's still there, this thread is over 5 years old. Up the top of the page is a thin blue bar that takes you to all sorts of tutorials. You can also get to them from the Outfront.net homepage. http://www.proposalkit.com/ _____________________________ If it ain't broke..... fix it until it is. GAWDS Now where did I put that Doctype? (in reply to carrie)