Originally posted by: JoeKing
charge by the hour (have him agree to the rate), be honest about the hours you put in come up with a little time sheet. And if you plan to pay taxes on this project be prepared to take it up the arse!
By law, he's required to give an estimate within 10% of the total price. While he should be truthful, it shouldn't matter to the person paying because it will be within 10% of the estimate. If this is under the table, rules don't apply obviously...
How would I do this? Estimate how long it will take and any methods by which you can speed up the project. Factor in opportunity cost - are you losing money anywhere by doing this? If not, even $1 is better than nothing because it doesn't cost you anything besides your time, and you were sitting idle anyway. (Yes, many counter arguments, but just speaking in terms of end money and this situation)
What do you have to do? Go to google and write descriptions for random products or do they already exist and you just have to type them and put them in a spreadsheet?
Why did this person approach you versus someone else? Just doing you a favor? Do you know them through some people? Give details, it makes a difference.
I would figure out an hourly pay times how many hours it would take, and then add some padding for corrections, driving there to go over it or whatever, etc. and come up with a single final price. I personally think working at an hourly wage is stupid, you can't write off expenses yourself and don't really have as much tax benefit possibilities, etc. and a horde of other reasons. I'm not against using an horuly wage to calculate a total price, but give the person a price for the whole project, not say that you want $10/hour and then writing on a piece of paper how long you spent.