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I charge an hourly rate. I've been wooing a client for many months and am
finally close to getting what I hope to be my first of many assignments.
Although I've created many user manuals, I have never had to provide a
project estimate before.
They project their motherboard user manual will be approximately 50 pages,
with me being handed an InDesign file as its basic structure. No problem.
I may have hands on access to a physical unit while I create the manual
innards. I may have to make one trip by car to the client's site, which is
but a few hours away through the country (read: likely a pleasant road
trip).
The deadline for completion is Oct. 27.
Beyond complete specs and ready access to a SME, what other info should I
ask for before providing an overall project estimate? What would you guess
that estimate to be?