Contracting advice

Wisdom pulled from a variety of sources

Technical

• Always have the technology installed and comprehended before making estimates
• Don’t reinvent the wheel.
• If the customer has given you full access to the site, straight up mirror it. Download everything and just change the configuration file that connects the database.
• When taking on a project, first write down all the steps necessary. Figure out what the Minimum Viable Product is with the customer and go from there.
• Never have the live site on your terminal unless you are entirely awake.
• If the customer says “it takes me 1 hour to do…”, they mean it actually takes 4 hours
• Get actual deadlines in writing. Verify them with the customer throughout the project.
• No matter how small the project, always put it in Git
• Only work on the things you’ve agreed on with the customer. If they want the extras, they’ll say so.
• If you patched anything, try to send that upstream. It shows familiarity with project to potential employers.

Business

• Always ask for double or more the rate you would get working full-time at a company
• Documentation, documentation, documentation
• If you think you offer $100/hr service, then CHARGE $100/hr service
• Automation, automation, automation - just keep your standard forms (quotes, bills) in Google Docs, have them do the number crunching for you.
• Don’t do support - it’s not worth the hassle, not worth the headache, not worth the money
• Just because they’re your friend, doesn’t mean you have to charge them less.
• Always have the hourly rate in your mind. Don’t compromise. If they can’t pay it, you don’t want it. Really.
• Set a reputation for quality, not cost.
• Have a precise system for clocking your hours. Only give freebies for screw-ups. Easy work is still work.
• Don’t have more than 2 gigs plus full-time - there is no room for balance after that. Mental well-being is more valuable than money.
• Don’t bite off more than you can chew - if an opportunity comes along but you’re too busy/tired, get the rest. There’s always more opportunities.
• You cannot do real work in front of a television. Work, or watch TV.
• Neil Gaiman’s rule: be easy to work with, make really good stuff, deliver on time (just 2 out of 3 is enough)
• A really good lawyer is essential to professional contracting. Interview several and find the right one.
• Make internal allies within the customer when you can.
• Try to resolve conflicts in person. Often a cup of coffee is enough to sort out issues.
• When firing a client, it is important that you do it in writing and mention which part of the contract has been violated.

Contract

• Set clear expectations and clear definitions. Put them in a contract.
• If the customer refuses to pay, don’t appeal to emotion. Get a lawyer, instead.
• If the project changes, either amend the existing contract or settle up the existing contract and create a new one.
• In the contract, state non-failure to pay means inclusion of attorney costs if they lose lawsuit.
• A contract is in place to protect both parties. Negotiation makes it fair.
• Don’t start work before you’ve signed a contract. You will lose critical leverage.
• Don’t blindly accept the client’s terms. Often they are just boilerplate, and sometimes just wrong.
• Don’t back down on the important stuff:
  • IP transfers on full payment (if they use your work before full payment, you can sue for that).
  • A kill fee for project termination (amount the client will have to pay for an unreasonable termination of project - ensures no wasted time) - be sure to have multiple phases written in the contract.
  • Liability (transferred after project acceptance by client)
• Have the project deemed ‘accepted’ after the deliverable has been given for 5-10 business days
• Be specific and confident about money. Sound like you know what you’re talking about, even when you don’t.
• Have penalties after non-payment (net-d)