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Re: Pricing a project without access to the software
Subject:Re: Pricing a project without access to the software From:Peter Neilson <neilson -at- windstream -dot- net> To:techwr-l <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Fri, 19 Sep 2008 08:03:10 -0400
I would propose that the work be in separate billable stages. The first
stage would be the (written) documentation plan, for which you would be
paid.
After they have approved the docplan, they would have the option of
going further, where you would make estimates for completing the various
parts of the documentation plan. You would be paid for each iteration of
this second stage.
Right now you are capable of estimating only the first and second
stages. You cannot estimate beyond that because you do not know what
they really want, nor do they. Without an approved docplan, you are
setting yourself up for slavery.
If they are putting the job out for bids from others besides you, your
professional approach may help them separate the wheat from the chaff.
With luck your bid will be wheat.
As you perform the job, stick to the written plan. If they request a
deviation from the plan, that's an ADDITIONAL ITEM and will cost more.
If they object to this whole approach, you can suggest that they go with
your regular hourly rate instead, for however long the project takes.
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