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As a contractor, I'm always asked for an estimate. The client is worried not about the time, but the thought I'll milk the clock, so an estimate ends up being a

As a contractor, I'm always asked for an estimate. The client is worried not about the time, but the thought I'll milk the clock, so an estimate ends up being a flat rate. The best way is to overshoot the time and offer the flat rate. If they bite, I can treble my usual rate, if they come back with a hard negation, I take that as an indicator that they will be difficult to work with. It's a a tough balance.

user5994461 9y ago
Don't forget the budget. All clients wants a number so they can evaluate whether they actually have the money to pay for it and whether the project is worthwhile. Noone wants to engage in a 6 months contract thinking it only takes 1. By the way, watch out when changing from daily rate to project. Legally, you have to deliver the project when you bill for a project, so you are forced to make a contract with well defined project scope to cover your ass. It's quite a lot of (billable) hassle.
- dizzystar 9y ago
  I'm sure to get everything in writing. Interesting you bring that up though. I had a client through a contracting company. After the project was done, they said they actually asked for something more, which was never even discussed. I ended up partly unpaid even though I was clearly correct. The law works when the money is worth chasing.
  - user5994461 9y ago
    Your story is a school case, unfortunately. The law is never in your favor as a single man or small shop. It's too expensive to go to court, then determining what should have been done or not done as per the contract is a lengthy and uncertain proceeding. Clients who wanna pay per project basically want to move the risk over to you. They should pay a premium. Write a solid contract and increase the fees/duration. Most should give up when you start increasing the quote just to establish the contract, it's easier to start a POC and see what could be achieved.

user5994461 9y ago

Don't forget the budget. All clients wants a number so they can evaluate whether they actually have the money to pay for it and whether the project is worthwhile. Noone wants to engage in a 6 months contract thinking it only takes 1. By the way, watch out when changing from daily rate to project. Legally, you have to deliver the project when you bill for a project, so you are forced to make a contract with well defined project scope to cover your ass. It's quite a lot of (billable) hassle.

dizzystar 9y ago
I'm sure to get everything in writing. Interesting you bring that up though. I had a client through a contracting company. After the project was done, they said they actually asked for something more, which was never even discussed. I ended up partly unpaid even though I was clearly correct. The law works when the money is worth chasing.
- user5994461 9y ago
  Your story is a school case, unfortunately. The law is never in your favor as a single man or small shop. It's too expensive to go to court, then determining what should have been done or not done as per the contract is a lengthy and uncertain proceeding. Clients who wanna pay per project basically want to move the risk over to you. They should pay a premium. Write a solid contract and increase the fees/duration. Most should give up when you start increasing the quote just to establish the contract, it's easier to start a POC and see what could be achieved.