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Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed

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On 11/28/2011 1:28 PM, Rhino wrote:
> Is it reasonable to tell him that I won't commit to the project or
> offer any estimates until I feel I understand the spec?

If you feel the spec is lacking, then certainly.  It might be best to
wait until you see what the customer is offering first.

> That would seem fair to me but I don't know if a customer would see
> it that way. I'm assuming I'd have to sign a non-disclosure agreement
> before he'd let me see the spec.

NDAs are normal, yes.

> At that point, I could imagine spending several days or maybe even a
> couple of weeks poring over the spec and making sure I'm clear on
> what he wants, then passing on the project altogether, passing on
> parts that I didn't think I could do, or accepting the whole
> project.

Don't forget to calculate what you'd make in those days or weeks at your
normal rate.  Decide if you wish to donate that much money to the customer.

>
> I could easily imagine this taking a few hours of the customer's time
> as I confirm assumptions that I make as I read the spec. I'm not
> sure how he would feel about a drain on his time like that. Would
> that be something he'd expect? Or would he expect me to be so
> self-sufficient that anything beyond a few cursory questions would be
> a problem for him?
>

That's their look-out.  You're donating time to start the project, they
should too.  If they complain, then work something out, or ask them to 
look elsewhere.


> Also, would you agree that he should be charged for the time I put
> into understanding the spec (aside from a token free initial hour or
> whatever), even if I end up passing on the project altogether?


That's up to you, although I'd certainly consider adding any upfront 
costs to a bid that I made.


> I'm getting the impression so far that they are basically a PHP shop
> and don't have much/any Java expertise so I'm not sure how they'd
> estimate things like coding time.


This is a large red flag for me.  If they have no idea what they're 
doing, then there's no recourse for you if things go sideways.  Be very 
careful.  Programming can be relatively easy.  Configuring a production 
environment is a different story.  And specing out server hardware is 
harder still.  Try to exclude installation of the software if you can.

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Thread

General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Novice <novice@example..com> - 2011-11-28 15:41 +0000
  Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Jeff Higgins <jeff@invalid.invalid> - 2011-11-28 11:37 -0500
    Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Novice <novice@example..com> - 2011-11-28 17:04 +0000
      Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed markspace <-@.> - 2011-11-28 11:09 -0800
        Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Novice <novice@example..com> - 2011-11-28 19:48 +0000
          Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed markspace <-@.> - 2011-11-28 12:14 -0800
            Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Rhino <no.offline.contact.please@example.com> - 2011-11-28 21:28 +0000
              Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed markspace <-@.> - 2011-11-28 14:14 -0800
                Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Novice <novice@example..com> - 2011-11-29 05:24 +0000
                Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Martin Gregorie <martin@address-in-sig.invalid> - 2011-11-29 20:44 +0000
  Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Novice <novice@example..com> - 2011-11-28 17:53 +0000
    Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Novice <novice@example..com> - 2011-11-28 19:52 +0000
    Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Arved Sandstrom <asandstrom3minus1@eastlink.ca> - 2011-11-29 07:20 -0400
      Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Novice <novice@example..com> - 2011-11-29 16:06 +0000
        Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Lew <lewbloch@gmail.com> - 2011-11-29 12:04 -0800
          Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Novice <novice@example..com> - 2011-11-30 00:12 +0000
            Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Lew <lewbloch@gmail.com> - 2011-11-29 22:02 -0800
              Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Novice <novice@example..com> - 2011-11-30 20:28 +0000
  Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Roedy Green <see_website@mindprod.com.invalid> - 2011-11-28 10:03 -0800
    Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Gene Wirchenko <genew@ocis.net> - 2011-11-28 10:44 -0800
      Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Novice <novice@example..com> - 2011-11-28 20:13 +0000
        Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Gene Wirchenko <genew@ocis.net> - 2011-11-28 12:59 -0800
      Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Roedy Green <see_website@mindprod.com.invalid> - 2011-11-29 14:04 -0800
        Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Gene Wirchenko <genew@ocis.net> - 2011-11-29 15:07 -0800
    Re: General Consulting Advice Urgently Needed Novice <novice@example..com> - 2011-11-28 19:56 +0000

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