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<FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Monaco, Courier New"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:10.0px'>I've found this post very interesting. I can’t tell you how much time I spend writing emails and doing phone calls. So it’s nice to know a contract name for that. <BR>
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I wish I could complain about my current client too, it’s better than not having any, but all my contracts have come to a close. I’ve been looking at drupals site and responding to posts and found two contracts that way, but haven’t had any luck recently. So does anyone know of any job opportunities or have work they need some help with?<BR>
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A little about me: I've been using drupal since January of 2007 (theming mostly, but I do set up the site and functionality for clients as well). I’m a graphic designer so I have no problem designing websites or print materials. My portfolio is at www.designbyholly.com. Although I’m not sure about pricing according to my skillset, the past year I have been charging $30 (so the low end of the north american freelancer). I meet my deadlines and am easy to work with as long as I’m well informed about the projects status. <BR>
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Thanks,<BR>
Holly Ferree<BR>
St. Petersburg, FL<BR>
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Looking for: Freelance, Contract, Full time, Part time<BR>
Telecommute only if outside the St. Pete Area<BR>
contact: hferree@gmail.com <BR>
Www.designbyholly.com<BR>
skills: drupal, themeing, ecommerce, php, mysql, xhtml, css, flash, photoshop, illustrator, indesign, etc.<BR>
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On 8/6/09 3:38 PM, "Christian Pearce" <christian@pearcec.com> wrote:<BR>
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</SPAN></FONT><BLOCKQUOTE><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'>The lawyer analogy is good as a practice, but let us not forget if you want to be a lawyer you have to pass the bar (at least in the US). So already there is a market differentiation. Just about anyone can advertise I can do Drupal work. Does it mean they are qualified no.<BR>
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Lawyers also have a lot of code of conduct when it comes to setting prices and people can file a grievance with the state if they are unsatisfied. <BR>
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I sort of like what I saw in this post recently, perhaps as a consulting group we should take the categories listed below and work up some descriptions of how we in the "Consulting Shop Rate" differentiate ourselves from one another. Let's turn this into something constructive. What to help? ( Edit: <a href="http://groups.drupal.org/node/25054">http://groups.drupal.org/node/25054</a> )<BR>
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<a href="http://drupal.org/node/536998">http://drupal.org/node/536998</a><BR>
</SPAN><FONT SIZE="7"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:36.0px'><B>What is the market price for drupal work?<BR>
</B></SPAN></FONT><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'>The answer to this question is that it depends:<BR>
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Off-shore rate: $15-$20/hr<BR>
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Freelancer Rate in North America: $30-$60<BR>
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Consulting Shop Rate: $70-$100<BR>
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High-end Consulting Shop Rate: $150-$250 <BR>
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P.S: I also know shops that charge $300/hr, and they are one of the most experienced Drupal shops around and have built some of the biggest Drupal sites.<BR>
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Each of these categories come with its own advantages and disadvantages.<BR>
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On Thu, Aug 6, 2009 at 3:04 PM, Dave Terry <dave.terry@mediacurrent.com> wrote:<BR>
</SPAN></FONT><BLOCKQUOTE><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><FONT SIZE="4"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:14.0px'>+ 1 on enjoying the discussion thus far. I think Domenic hit the nail on his head with his legal analogy. The legal industry, while mostly despised J, has really figured it out – if you go to visit a lawyer there is an expectation that the first 15 minutes to an hour is free while the details of the case are discussed, discovery, etc. but anything beyond that is billable time. In the tech sector, the buyer usually does not understand the value or benefits of the services that are being provided. However, if you walk into a law firm there is an understanding that there are varying levels of expertise (i.e. a senior partner bills more than a newly minted law school grad), and more importantly the client gets “it.”. Conversely, Drupal/tech customers can’t comprehend the subjective nature of our rates and why 3 developers may charge 3 different prices – its partially their fault, but we need to do a better job of how we position and market ourselves to avoid these constant fee fights. There is a reason why the Lullabots or Acquias of the Drupalsphere charge on the high side – not only have they earned the street cred, but really done a wonderful job at positioning themselves in the public market. In Acquia’s case it certainly helps that Dries is the co-founder. Understandably though, they are viewed as the “senior partners” in the firm. There will always be a sliding scale of economics at work, but don’t lose sight of the fact that marketing is a big part of your consultancy.<BR>
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</SPAN><FONT SIZE="4"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:14.0px'>Dave<BR>
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</SPAN><FONT SIZE="4"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:14.0px'>Mediacurrent<BR>
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</SPAN><SPAN STYLE='font-size:13.0px'><B>From:</B> consulting-bounces@drupal.org [<a href="mailto:consulting-bounces@drupal.org]">mailto:consulting-bounces@drupal.org]</a> <B>On Behalf Of </B>Domenic Santangelo<BR>
<B>Sent:</B> Thursday, August 06, 2009 12:48 PM<BR>
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<B>To:</B> A list for Drupal consultants and Drupal service/hosting providers<BR>
<B>Subject:</B> Re: [consulting] General consultant's vent<BR>
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On Thu, Aug 6, 2009 at 6:34 AM, Brian Vuyk <brian@brianvuyk.com> wrote:<BR>
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I agree with you in principal. If the client doesn't approach us with fully drawn up specification and design documents, they should expect to pay consulting time to get their project refined and firmed up. Historically, probably 10-15% or more of my hours were tied up in this aspect of business. However, as long as so many developers are willing to do this for free, it can't easily be stopped. Small shops, like mine, can't give up a competitive edge like that, and charging a client several days labour that another shop would give for free just doesn't work.<BR>
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I recently needed a legal document drawn up, so I called an attorney that came highly recommended from friends in this area. He drew up the (one page) document, sent it over, I looked through it and said, "great, let's do it" and he asked for a large retainer. I can't use this doc unless I pay it. That too got me to thinking about Drupal work -- okay, fine, let's estimate and wireframe for free, and build that cost into contracts we DO land. <BR>
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I don't really have an answer here, but I think examples from other more established industries might show good patterns that we can follow. I dunno.<BR>
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-Dom<BR>
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