Questions tagged [freelancing]
Questions for professional programmers who are often contracted out for various positions rather than being part of a company.
206 questions
7
votes
5
answers
557
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What do you do to make the client understand that requirements not mentioned in contract should be charged separately? [closed]
I've done a very small project for a specified amount of payment. The project was some client-side validation code. However, now client asks for code improvement (general code improvement including ...
- 18.2k
8
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Is it a good idea to do contract work for a former full time employer? [closed]
Assuming:
The employee and company are parting on good terms
The new company is OK with a little contract work as long as it doesn't distract from the new job
The former company wants the help and ...
- 3,897
6
votes
1
answer
496
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Who is responsible for doing a patent search?
If a client requests that a particular feature is added into their website software, who is responsible for searching and recognising that a patent royalty has to paid?
client
web developer
This ...
- 1,043
3
votes
4
answers
1k
views
What technologies are needed to be a freelance web developer / designer targeting small businesses?
First off, I'm not looking for this answer: "learn PHP/MySQL, JQuery, HTML/CSS...."
My background, I wear many hats, and do many things. Currently I manage investment accounts with a business partner ...
- 189
5
votes
4
answers
2k
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How do freelancers know how much their work is worth? [closed]
I want to start a bit of freelancing in web development using ASP.NET MVC3 and PHP and I already have some people who are interested in hiring me, but I still can't figure out how much to charge for ...
- 401
15
votes
8
answers
4k
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What recommendations can you give in managing a team of remote software engineers? [duplicate]
I am a Web application developer who also is responsible for project managing some projects, I sometimes have to manage remote developers, who work for me under a contract basis. I feel that sometimes ...
- 315
8
votes
4
answers
1k
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Where can you find your first customers as a freelancer? [closed]
I want to start doing freelance work, but no matter how I look at it, it seems like the best way to get customers and to have work most of the time, you have to already be in the freelancing game.
...
- 364
2
votes
7
answers
695
views
When to switch to mobile programming? [closed]
We're a team of developers working on some PC applications. But we have also witnessed a trend in the market towards writing more and more mobile sites and mobile applications.
Is it time for ...
- 163
0
votes
1
answer
179
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Who would be responsive for damage caused after cloning foreign application but NOT running it as freelancer?
This is just theoretical question, without context.
In case
somebody hire me (as freelancer (I'm A1))
client (A2) wants to develop CLONE of an existing application from B1 company
after some time I ...
- 205
9
votes
8
answers
806
views
Is it reasonable to NOT provide technical documentation and unit tests to client?
As an independent vendor being contracted to write a product for a company, is it reasonable to ship only the source code and user documentation while leaving out design documents, architecture ...
- 93
130
votes
17
answers
30k
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How should I charge for programming things which take two minutes to fix? [closed]
I am really confused with this. I believe that the more I am getting experience, the more I am becoming an expert at finding mistakes and fixing them quickly.
Now my boss got website from a ...
4
votes
2
answers
225
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Client Request Explanation of "Benefits" as part of consulting fee
I gave my rate to my client with a simple breakdown as requested.
I listed out the components of my rate:
Salary
Benefits
Overhead (tax, suppliers, etc etc)
The client is ok with 1) and 3)
But he ...
- 141
82
votes
6
answers
85k
views
How should I determine my rates for writing custom software? [closed]
For a custom software that will likely take a year or more to develop, how would I go about determining what to charge as a consultant? I'm having a hard time coming up with a number, and searches ...
- 2,480
17
votes
6
answers
1k
views
How can I remove my fear of doing freelancing work? [closed]
I usually work in a web design company, but my manager also has his own company. He is a designer basically and he catches the projects with clients and then I do his work during weekends or whenever ...
- 815
36
votes
13
answers
6k
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"Kill switch" in customer hosted environments, to protect payment?
I have a difficult client. Every bill is argued and debated over, and each email is parsed with a lawyers eye (because he's a lawyer), looking for a way to avoid paying for something. No amount of ...
- 363
4
votes
3
answers
3k
views
How to decide maintenance cost/terms for freelance work? [closed]
I am a JavaScript programmer and am planning to take Freelance projects related to JavaScript effects for the web. Recently a potential client approached me to create a JavaScript effect for his ...
- 3,233
4
votes
4
answers
767
views
How do software development methodologies fit in the field of consulting?
I work for a fairly small consulting company, roughly 100 employees, and I've been with them for about a year currently. This is my first job out of college. As a company we do not specialize in any ...
- 41
2
votes
6
answers
359
views
How feasible would it be to not work for anyone, my entire programming career? [closed]
Assume I have enough money to live off of for 3 months. Would it be impossible to just freelance my entire programming career, after sufficiently learning the language and helping open source projects?...
- 371
27
votes
3
answers
1k
views
What advice would you give to someone going freelance? [closed]
I'm trying to get out of the Corporate game and go indie. I've always prided myself on being a jack of all trades so I think it suits me.
If you're a freelancer or independent, what's the best advice ...
- 729
2
votes
1
answer
347
views
Getting paid through Ltd or Umbrella company?
I am working for a company as a web dev consultant at the moment, and they asked me whether I want to get payed through the Umbrella company or through my Ltd. Which is better for me and why?
The @...
- 352
37
votes
14
answers
2k
views
How to improve relationships between consultants and staff programmers
I have been a consultant for a small software consulting firm for quite some time now. Our normal business model is not staff augmentation, but such that we find clients who need assistance in ...
- 2,529
2
votes
1
answer
807
views
How does freelance job operate? [closed]
I want to find a freelance job, but I've never done any freelance work before. I want to know what the process involves. Can you please answer the following questions?
If the programmer finds a ...
- 1,483
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Protect freelance work
I have developed some PHP and HTML code for a freelance project, I want to make my contractor able to use my code commercially, since they will sell my project to their own client (an enterprise), but ...
- 137
1
vote
5
answers
4k
views
Statistics on time estimates for web application
I have been asked to help estimate the time it would take to develop a web application. I will not be involved in the actual programming, but I am participating as an "experienced" programmer. The ...
- 121
31
votes
12
answers
3k
views
Why do companies tell me they want me as an in-house employee, not as a contractor? [closed]
Context
I am looking for work as a contractor in my field of expertise and would prefer to earn less money and have less benefits working as a short-term contractor.
The problem:
Companies say I ...
- 410
8
votes
9
answers
826
views
Will I learn more freelancing or working for a company?
I got out of school about a year ago, and have been freelancing since then. Sometimes it seems like it would be a good idea to work for a company for a few years, to learn from people with more ...
- 239
4
votes
2
answers
645
views
Contract review for international contracting
I am intending to work as an independent contractor, writing software for a client based in another country. My work will be provided electronically so I won't need to relocate. However, there is a ...
- 1,283
5
votes
3
answers
123
views
How to gather critique on a highly specific or niche application?
I'm currently developing, on an independent basis, an application that is highly domain specific; a niche application if you will.
This is all well and good, of course; but there is one problem; I'm ...
- 496
6
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Boring but important niches that would be a best-practices-consulting gold mine
I am absolutely convinced that you one make a very good living as a consultant that helps customers with deep understanding of and practical knowledge in one of the following topics
Time zones, ...
- 197
3
votes
3
answers
339
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Made a windows gadget for the local tram company without request. What now?
I'm too lazy to look at a pdf/table when the next tram is, so I did a windows widget that always tells me when the next one is. You can add, edit and delete trams to be watched.
I don't work for this ...
- 573
5
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Client contracts as a sole proprietor - What should be in the contract?
If this has already been asked, feel free to redirect me and I'll close this.
I gave my current employer notice to quit my job a few months ago, and they haven't been able to find anyone to replace ...
- 201
3
votes
3
answers
2k
views
How do I subcontract with another programmer?
Another programmer wants to subcontract me to write, test, and document code. If anyone has nuggets of wisdom they could share regarding the business arrangement, I sure would appreciate the advice. ...
- 736
7
votes
1
answer
3k
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My first SLA(Service level agreement ) as a freelancer
I started to work freelance just a couple of months ago.
My first client asked me to create a web app, to improve his business. I made a little specification about what i was able to do and also an ...
- 327
6
votes
3
answers
470
views
How To Effectively Set Deadline Times As A Freelance or Home-based Developer
I recently got into home-based hours-based programming work and one of the problems I am having is that deadlines I say to my clients are not often met. Some factors come into play:
I run into a ...
- 485
3
votes
4
answers
553
views
How do I know that the freelancer (Developer) gave me my money's worth?
I am hiring a PHP developer to build me a website. Their rate is 70$ an hour. He seems to have a good portfolio and experience.
How do I know that I get a good website that is scalable and easy to ...
- 31
0
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Contracting outside of full time contracting job
I'm a full time consultant for a contracting company. Essentially, I'm just a full time employee and when my current contract is up, I roll to the 'bench' until they find me another contact.
One of ...
- 1
18
votes
6
answers
2k
views
How do I become a real expert? [closed]
Being a freelancer, I don't have a luxury of corporate training and a circle of professional employees. Even though I have been programming for the last few years and developed professional projects, ...
- 4,378
1
vote
2
answers
672
views
What is the best way to have security auditing done?
I have an authentication system(ASP.Net library) that I want to make sure is secure. What companies/resources can I use to make sure of this? Also, what should I make sure to do before sending it off ...
- 23k
10
votes
3
answers
556
views
What do programmers at security firms do?
I have heard of security firms who consult on the security of a clients systems. All of the people I know in this field are network engineers, but I know programmers get involved in security as well. ...
user3792
3
votes
1
answer
825
views
Contract for App Development and Service Maintainence
I am going to develop iPhone application for clients, for fixed project cost. After that I will help maintain the application by charging a service/support fee.
Questions:
What should I put into ...
- 131
11
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Employee vs Contractor mentality and career [closed]
I'm trying to work something out which isn't quite covered in any of the other "contractor vs employee" threads. In a nutshell: Is there a natural (possibly even hard-wired and inborn) tendency for ...
- 20.6k
0
votes
1
answer
337
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Freelancing dilemma.. to do or not to do? [closed]
My current organization has stated clearly that I should not work on any freelancing projects in the fields where the company offers their service. I agreed to that and joined the organization. At the ...
- 1,059
2
votes
1
answer
231
views
Selling scripts/CMS modules on the internet
While it's almost impossible to apply for a freelance job without a sufficient portfolio/work experience, I see selling my scripts as a solution. Problem is, so far I've seen only one forum, where ...
- 193
10
votes
3
answers
4k
views
How can I get started as a freelance programmer?
Assume that I know zero about freelancing, but I am a good .NET programmer.
I want to start freelancing.
How would I get started?
dhaval patel
18
votes
6
answers
12k
views
Recommended Payment Schedule for Freelance Development
I've been a freelance developer for many years and am setting up a system designed to attract clients through one of my developer websites.
If successful, these would be clients I do not know, and ...
- 599
1
vote
2
answers
221
views
can subcontractors claim contractors work?
If I am subcontracting from a company. Am I able to claim the work as if I were doing for the client themselves. In other words....
if Client A ask Company A to do some web development. and Company A ...
- 229
10
votes
2
answers
608
views
Experience w/ eLance (and similar sites) [closed]
I'm considering freelancing via eLance.com (or another similar site) to help pay the bills while developing games (that will eventually pay the bills). What's working through elance like? Any ...
- 532
3
votes
4
answers
353
views
How to hire a web-programmer : for non-programmer
I am a non-programmer that has used the services of : freelancer, odesk, etc
I've tried asking for what i need but, I can't find anyone who can show me any type of example similar to what I request ...
- 91
2
votes
2
answers
231
views
How to for non-programmer : formulate web-programming requirements
How to for non-programmer : formulate web-programming requirements
for designing a website by a third party
how to ask and what to ask
Example : I want to hire someone to design or implement any ...
- 91
3
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Ruby freelancing: realistic expectations?
I'm in a situation where I only need $100 to live at a place. How is this relevant to programming? Well, I would like to hear the opinions of those on this site if it is at all realistic to expect a ...
- 187