Going rates to make a custom access db app?

[Adam]

Hi All,

I've been asked to make an Access database application. Its basically
an inventory control and price system.

I've not done this before and am guessing that it would take about 10
hours?

What would be the going rate to charge for this application?

Sorry if i'm a bit vague.

Adam

 

[Pieter Wijnen]

Depends on what the customer is willing to pay <g>

Pieter

 

[Pieter Wijnen]

Depends on what the customer is willing to pay <g>

Pieter

Hi All,

I've been asked to make an Access database application. Its basically
an inventory control and price system.

I've not done this before and am guessing that it would take about 10
hours?

What would be the going rate to charge for this application?

Sorry if i'm a bit vague.

Adam

--

 

[Pieter Wijnen]

Also, It will more likely take at least a week...

Pieter

Hi All,

I've been asked to make an Access database application. Its basically
an inventory control and price system.

I've not done this before and am guessing that it would take about 10
hours?

What would be the going rate to charge for this application?

Sorry if i'm a bit vague.

Adam

--

 

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per (e-mail address removed):

I've been asked to make an Access database application. Its basically
an inventory control and price system.

I've not done this before and am guessing that it would take about 10
hours?

I'd think that you may have dropped a zero on the hours.....

What would be the going rate to charge for this application?

Depends on where you live and where the client is.


Sounds like one of those bread-and-butter apps that there are many off-the-shelf
solutions for....

 

[Arvin Meyer [MVP]]

You need to charge by the hour, not the job, if you want to do both the
client and yourself justice. If you have little experience, and are in the
US, $30 to $50 per hour might be appropriate. My own rate is significantly
higher.

I also can tell you that 10 hours will not be anywhere near sufficient time
to build a mature system.
--
Arvin Meyer, MCP, MVP
Microsoft Access
Free Access downloads
http://www.datastrat.com
http://www.mvps.org/access

 

[Adam]

As its an inventory system I was going to modify an off the shelf
application, so only guessed at 10 hours.

I would charge by the hour.

I'm really interested in seeing whether this is something good for me
to develop myself for as a possible career path? Do database developers
make a lot from completing applications like these?

I'm experienced in business objects so it would be interesting to see
if I should develop my time on that, or database development?

 

[Arvin Meyer [MVP]]

In almost 14 years, I've only modified 1 or 2 existing off the shelf
applications. That was to add functionality. Most of what I do is entire
apps, with some upgrading of existing custom apps.
--
Arvin Meyer, MCP, MVP
Microsoft Access
Free Access downloads
http://www.datastrat.com
http://www.mvps.org/access

 

[Adam]

And is there a good income to be made from database development?

 

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per Adam:

And is there a good income to be made from database development?

Long term, it depends on the boys and girls in Bangalore..... Smart,
English-speaking people that work hard for very little money....

 

[Adam]

lol - I am not sure that creating an application so remotely would be
any good?

 

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per Adam:

lol - I am not sure that creating an application so remotely would be
any good?

More and more companies are finding it better and better.

In the beginning, it was only truly-huge projects - but I'd expect that the size
has been and will continue to be coming down.

I've developed several projects 100% over the phone/email - never saw a soul in
the client org... and everybody's been happy.

I'm about to embark on a project for some guys in London (I'm near Philadelphia
PA). This will be the first one across time zones... but I don't expect any
problems.

 

[rivsys]

10 hours won't even get the requirements adequately researched and documented.

 

[Arvin Meyer [MVP]]

It really depends upon the application. Of the shelf generic applications
can be created anywhere. OTOH, specific business applications require
someone with a thorough understanding of the specific business and the
culture. Off-shore development fails more than it succeeds there.

I've made a good income for the past 12 years or so, and I expect to for at
least the near future.
--
Arvin Meyer, MCP, MVP
Microsoft Access
Free Access downloads
http://www.datastrat.com
http://www.mvps.org/access

 

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per Arvin Meyer [MVP]:

I've made a good income for the past 12 years or so, and I expect to for at
least the near future.

I'm glad to hear that - because I'm in the same boat....

 

[John Vinson]

lol - I am not sure that creating an application so remotely would be
any good?

I've done several. I met my current main client for the first time
last month (after five years' working with him).

Access lends itself very well to remote development, with the aid of
remote terminal systems such as Citrix if the client wants to provide
such.

John W. Vinson[MVP]

 

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per John Vinson:

Access lends itself very well to remote development, with the aid of
remote terminal systems such as Citrix if the client wants to provide
such.

For one client, I do about half my work over a VPN/Remote Desktop connection on
a fiber optic phone line.

I suspect I'm some sort of closet Type-A because slow response time *really*
bugs me.

So it's really saying something when I say that with this client, over this
particular phone line, it's almost like being there - certainly close enough so
that the diff doesn't matter.