A little information before you make a request

[trez]

*I would appreciate it, if some MOD can make this thread sticky, because of its importance*

Dear users,

so you decided to get a paid MOD? Well i receive about 5 PM's per days for payed MODs. I'am sure other users receive more.
Well, i'am writing this thread to make my answers easier for 80% of the MOD requests i receive daily.

I don't know how much of you know anything about PHP, HTML, Linux etc. But it seems, that most of the users have really no clue what coding is.
"I have an easy request" , "I assume it wouldn't take too much time", "I know it sounds easy" - are just 3 examples of "starting lines" in some of my unanswered PM's.

Well, first i answered them with a price, or with a request for more information in order to calculate the price. And i hear every time (well, most of the time) the same answer.
"Dude, thats not really cheap", "What, are you crazy" or "More that 50$ for a MOD, are you crazy??" - One of my favorites

Now you have to think that i'am charging too much? No, 15 - 20$ per hour (depending on the time i have), feel free to ask any other pogramer if he work's for less - it's a standard price (well, in Bulgaria they actually give you just 5$ per hour, but that's a different story).

What i'am trying to do with this thread is to ask you to keep these things in mind before you make any request to any user:

- custom modding is PAYED - nothing big comes for free
- "payed" means 30$ and above - "i can link back to your site" doesn't work!
- be sure that you have enough money before you make an request
- know exactly what you want or what you expect

Follow these simple rules and you have no problem. It is really very annoying for us every time to ask the same questions or answer to questions why the request isn't 30$ but 130$.
We're no "n00b's", we also have wifes (maybe children), we drink, we eat and we behave human. Don't think we're all machines that work for free or spend the night in installing 25 mod's on a Portuguese website for 10 bucks (!)

Thank you
George 

PS: Requests for HELP are always free. I have no problem in helping users. But custom modding is something else.
EDIT: Changed my price per hour

[mawenzi]

... in all statements I can agree 100% ...  it is now sticky ...

[CeJay]

Now you have to think that i'am charging too much? No, 10 - 12$ per hour, feel free to ask any other pogramer if he work's for less - it's a standard price (well, in Bulgaria they actually give you just 5$ per hour, but that's a different story).

I am no special programmer, but I do agree 110%!

The cost for basic web design, not php coding (to work with other programs) are averaged around $50 per hour. PHP is averaged around $75 per hour. Those are fee's from my area from local businesses / web programmers.
So what you offer to me is beyond cheap and almost free 

[trez]

75$ per hour? Wow, if that was my charge i would be a millioner right now

[Acidgod]

In our Offices we also take a charge around 65,-€ (85,-$)/h...

[trez]

In our Offices we also take a charge around 65,-€ (85,-$)/h...

nice, in Bulgaria 150-€ are a standard monthly salary  If you move here and have clients you can live like a king 

[Acidgod]

Don't forget that we must pay the office, taxes, the programmer, insurances and so on... (o:

Germany is very expensive... *g

[thunderstrike]

I like to add message in this.

People who create topic in request for paid, when ask for something for done, please respect task list of request. The mean, when PHP programmer say price to you, please no reply with extra-list by think is same price. PHP programmer is the right for extra-charge everything add to PM list compare to announce no list if customer want extra-task. Addition, please stay with same subject.

Ex in announce topic: I want to modify my search page ... (just examp). After, 2nd paragraph, youi post: I want my categories for modify (is NO same price and same thing for PM).

And please, if post in request for paid, no think is free charge ...

And if create new announce - please say budget.

[10-01-2007] -
If ask programmer / developer for code something, you must no install MOD affect this code. If so, programmer / developer no take responsibility for this.
Example: I want modify my lightbox. After, I install multi-lightboxes MOD for work with. If programmer / developer no adapt with MOD, no work and contract renew if need to work for it (contractor choice).

[10-06-2007] -
If ask programmer / developer for code something, you must set right lang on your admin or install the language MOD for gallery for keep good communication. If programmer no can set language, no way for contract to code right.

Addition - if programmer / developer ask for server require:

1 - No say to send ZIP files in email. This is contractor decision.
2 - If create account (FTP / cPanel or gallery) - test it first  If user name or password type and return error (and take long time response from customer)
3 - If no / bad folder location from FTP / cPanel for say where to code for gallery
- is overcharge.

If ask programmer / developer for intergrate something, is choice of programmer / developer for take or leave. If ask for intergrate something (like other authors MOD) - or code something new with intergrate with other MODs - is overcharge. If programmer / developer ask question to customer if install MOD or no and customer say no and is really yes and contract is open (and interfere with contract) - no refund

Thank to all request post user.

[trez]

good post thunderstrike. But some clients just don't want to understand this  Whatever, there are still some normal clients we can work with,god bless them

[thunderstrike]

But some clients just don't want to understand this

They will in time.

[armanbaig20]

good post thunder strike very nice.