Going Rates... Web Development

[phaxmohdem]

I've just been commissioned to write a secure login system for a local school using php/mysql/apache for their internal schtuff.

I've ben programming php for a while now just for fun and kicks, but never for hire so I have no clue what to charge.

What is the going rate for this kind of work these days and how is it billed? Hourly? Project based?

I've already got a good framework I've built in the past that would need just some tweaking and a few enhancements/customizations.

Sorry for the Noobishness, but I really have no clue. Thanks all.

 

[asm0deus]

i made $12 and hour as a web developer, and now i'm up to $17, but for contract work you can go anywhere between $30 to $60 an hour and up depending the on project and area. I usually try and come up with a support contract to go along with it so I do it by the year and be like $700 for the year includes any help and little features they need etc. You can lose projects if they are beyond their budget so try and stay competitive. Check out some of the competition in the area and how long you plan on spending on the project.

 

[royaldank]

$25-$50/hr range. I usually quote per job, though, and then XX/hr for anything after the initial program is done. Usually, you can figure what they'll need, design it from the beginning, and then charge them a couple hours here and there to create the new addition (which you alredy built).

 

[DJFuji]

Most places want a total cost estimate -- because they dont want to get stuck paying a high hourly rate indefinitely. So you may have to bid that project in terms of total cost. On the other hand, if theyre willing to pay you hourly to take care of it, by all means, go forward with that. I'm not sure what PHP development goes for but freelance ASP/ASP.NET stuff goes from $25-$200/hour depending on experience, area, and complexity. Most of my projects fall into the $40-70 range but i dont have much overhead to speak of. A development company with similar experience would charge $100+ because they would need to cover the huge costs of employing people, paying benefits, leases, etc.

On the other hand, its more of a risk contracting individuals because they generally have less stability, may not be available during the day, cant produce results as fast, and usually dont have the kind of resources and history that a company might have.

 

[Zugzwang152]

if you don't have a portfolio to back up your rates, you won't stay competitive either. If you're not making your living off of this, go with a cheaper, more attractive rate.