[Lula-biz] Re: [Lula] Asking Consultancy Rates

[Clay Claiborne]

I've known Alan as a top Pick database man and no slouch around any 
aspect of Linux. I believe he has taught Linux and database for some 
major institutions.  These companies that are 'pushing back HARD' may be 
able to find plenty of people willing to flip burgers or push brooms for 
$7-12, but no way they can even find consultants than can 'Pick' their 
noses for that money.  California minimum wage is $6.75!

Alan, if you go in asking $50-60 per hour maybe the problem is that you 
are already too low and the client knows it. I have run into greedy 
clients. Giving them a low price only whets their appetitte. They want 
more for less and it quickly turns into a game of 'how low will he go'. 
I find it best to stay away from clients like that. When I want to work 
for free I come to an installfest or do something like help the congress 
of vigils set up their web site.

On the other hand there can occasionally be greedy consultants. I once 
charged a well known defense contractor (you know how I love defense 
contractors) the price of a hammer ($600/ea) for a series of custom 
system restore disks we made. That worked out to about $1K per hour. 
Sometimes it's better to charge by the job.

BTW there is a parallel universe to this thread. It is taking place at 
lula-biz at lula.org. IMHO there should be only be one discussion and it 
should more properly be @ lula-biz.

Clay



Alan Gruskoff wrote:

> While Clay's point is valid on a finite item (perceived value), hourly 
> service rates are different.
>
> Business people are used to paying lawyers and doctors and plumbers a 
> high hours late and just bear it.
>
> I have found for my own experience that in the last 2 years that 
> people are pushing back HARD at me asking $50-60 per hour as they have 
> plenty of people willing to work for $7-12 / hour. Thats the problem.
>
> Keep your rates up to what you can live on, taking them down dilutes 
> it for all of us.
> -- 
> Alan Gruskoff
> Pasadena CA
> (626) 792-9060
> performantsystems.com
>
>
> <http://www.performansystems.com>
>
>>From: Jerry Lawson <jlawson7 at adelphia.net>
>>Subject: [Lula] OT: Consulting Rate
>>To: lula at lula.org
>>Message-ID: <5.2.0.9.0.20030721220506.00b3f128 at mail.dc3.adelphia.net>
>>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
>>
>>I know this is off topic but I wanted to get some opinions from people in 
>>the industry.  A firm wants me to do some consulting for their offices and 
>>a client of theirs.  The job will entail network administration and some 
>>Access database design and maintenance.  I'm wondering what kind of 
>>consulting rates are people out their charging? I was thinking $70/hour . 
>>I've never worked on a consulting basis so I wanted to get some opinions.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Jerry Lawson
>>
>
> <http://www.performansystems.com>
>
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-- 

Clay J. Claiborne, President

Cosmos Engineering Company			"We shall nobly save,
1550 South Dunsmuir Ave.			or meanly lose
Los Angeles, CA 90019				the last, best hope of man"

(323) 930-2540

http://www.CosmosEng.com

Email: cjc at cosmoseng.com 



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