Your experience comparison.

[RussianBeer]

See, I got an annoying pissed of client on me arse,
complaining how I am taking too long, did I say my client is annoying?

Anyway, I am wondering how long should this project usualy take you guys. I am buidling a website to advretise and rent a couple of vacation condos. Anyway , there is about 10 pages big, + photo gallery (however long that can be [say another 3]). And about modifing each page about 3 times until the client is satesfied with it. Appart from whats on the serfice, there is a bit of PHP for a couple of forms involved (possibly a shopping cart), and there may even be a transfer of domains.

Keep in mind, I am doing this part-time, as I got school and another job, and the client knows this...

So how long should I be taking with this, or if you where a client how long would you expect it to take?

[fester8542]

1-2 weeks

[prstudio]

well without shopping cart - and just the framework for the photo gallery 2-3 weeks at max...with your schedule...

but clients don't usually care about your schedule ...unless you know them personally.

[RussianBeer]

Its not that I want them to care,
I want them to understand and have correct expectations, most if not all web developers and designers around here, or even the ones from the unis here charge at the cheapest, around 100$ a webpage, + extra for shopping cart and what-not. I agreed for half, because she seen my work, I did other work for her, and possible she might refer me to others.

The biggest thing, is she modify the page so much, about 3 times each page, and not because I don't do it right, its because she gets these ephianies from time to time, and forgets to include them in the intial update.

[RussianBeer]

need more opinions *bump di bump bump*

[reverendflash]

then mark down when she does changes which are beyond the scope of the project. If you haven't laid out the scope of the project, that is your first problem.

You should have at least a story board, I go a step further and make partially working comps, and have the client sign off on them (literally), then you have backup to your time issues. Otherwise, it is simply your word against theirs, and it already sounds like they don't believe you.

You prob should be charging by the hour, not by the page as well. That would cut down a lot on the "modifications."

Revhttp://aulman.com/rev.gif

[Digigamer]

well I'm not a professional but it would take me 4 weeks if I was lucky without any modifications. With modifications it could go on for quite some time. 2 months even.

I have first hand expirence with modifications, they really suck. I gotta start charging by the hour.

[Marz]

Not in all instances should you charge by the hour though... There are sometimes a set quote will get you more in the long run than an hourly rate... But for annoying customers and WANT WANT WANT... Make sure you set them straight with the hourly charge..

But timespan say... 1-3 weeks... I'd have to take a closer look at the coding to tell you.

[reverendflash]

true, but you always need a scope of project to begin with, either way. I have some clients who ask for an estimate, then only want to pay that price, regardless of my time. Those clients, however, don't give any change orders...

Revhttp://aulman.com/rev.gif

[grimdeath]

Thats what quotes are for Alex you make an estimate of how many hours it will take you to build the site and how much you will charge, then you add an a 15% to 25% inflation to the original price so you will cover any setbacks, so if you do a good quote and finish it on time you have a 25% profit extra for doing such a good job :beam:

and make sure you set the rules straight right from the start I usually give them 3 revisions for design after those three i begin to charge extra for each modification or revision, just make them sign a contract with all theses rules and guidelines and you will save yourself some trouble and have everything legal in terms of the law.

Just make a rules and guidelines sheet for all your projects and hand it to the client along with the quote if you need some help let me know i can send you my rules and guidelines sheet so you can have a basic idea ;)

[RussianBeer]

Send it!
I didnt give it that much tought, thats a good idea. Thanks Guys its already a pretty stupid situation going on.

[RussianBeer]

And thankfully I am moving to a stable web desing postition next week!

[grimdeath]

got a email i can send you the files to??

[RussianBeer]

there

[grimdeath]

huh??? it would help if you actually posted your email my Russian friend

[RussianBeer]

button "email" !!!!

Ruskies are slow.. you think..umm NOT!

[grimdeath]

dont you think it would be nice to actually attach the files so you can view them :sigh:

i guess Ruskies are slow... and lazy maybe ;)

[RussianBeer]

.com

[grimdeath]

make sure its empty files are 450kb each

[RussianBeer]

nm then:

[grimdeath]

see what i mean lazy Ruskie, if ya wouldve done that the first time i wouldnt be posting this message lmao :sigh:

[RelandR]

don't forget to axe those email links when through.....

crawlers and spyders and bots .. ohMy :!:

and the odd creepo that may wanna flood ya

[grimdeath]

i know he coulda just PM it lmao Slow Ruskie rotflmao

[RussianBeer]

takes to much time...

[grimdeath]

LAZY RUSKIE rotflmao

[RussianBeer]

shhh.. I convinced myself already!!!

[grimdeath]

i was convinced that you were lazy the moment i had to ask for your email lol :run:

[Cello]

No matter the size of your operation, a service supplier should never, ever go into an arrangement without detailing what is to be supplied.

I give all clients (be they through freelance or through salaried work) a Functional Specification. This describes in detail what each page will do, what emails are to be included, which database the data should be written to, etc, etc. This becomes a script that then becomes cultural.

It also prevents 'scope creep' and 'iterative development' - ie she changes it a lot ;).

My FS document declares what will happen in both instances. Should extra functionality be required, it is scoped as a separate project, documented and is scheduled as phase two - for which there will be an additional fee. To prevent iterations, the client has the right to make one round of changes for each page then signs it off. If any more are required, then a second tier of charging is applied until the work is done.

The foregoing relies on the overall site look and feel having been agreed and incorporated into the FS document. The FS also states what the invoicing points are to be and the period of credit allowed.

Then both supplier and client sign. It's an excellent tool 'cos it works :)