Need Help on Pricing for Programming Services

[carmicael]

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guys, i know, na you all have your trade secrets, but can you please help a newbie here?

it's like this, some school wanted me to make an EMS, or an Education Management System, for their use. it's quite complex, linking the teachers, with the students, and the parents. basically, there are a lot of subsystems, an enrollment system, an attendance system, a grading system, a management system, an accounting system, a report system... etc.

now, i think, i can do these things, but the problem is, i cannot price them. i'd like to ask a favor from you experienced guys out there to give me a price range for this. i'm still a student, but i think i can be competitive enough to make a system as this one. it may not be top of the line, but i'm sure i'd be doing my best.

so, please, can you give me any ideas?maybe you can PM your opinions if you don't want trade secrets to be exposed.

cheers!

(P.S. : is this the right section?)

[ChaosOrb]

with that big? Probably... 30-50K is a small price.

[carmicael]

with that big? Probably... 30-50K is a small price.

i see. so taking into account na newcomer pa ko ani na thing?30-50K is fair? kay i don't want to be overpricing, and di pud ko ganahan ug ubos kaayo na price na ma-alkanse na ko.

thanks bro,

[javapenguin]

I also have this problem before, and so far the best way in my case so it will be beneficial to both sides, compensation will be in a monthly basis, make the basic framework with a modest price, then gradually increase for the next additional modules. My rule is, a program will have more value the more it is used. I think that is how some open source models works, they have a basic program for free, and if you want customization or services then that's the time you pay. This is just my opinion, it doesn't work for everyone.

[softtouch]

with that big? Probably... 30-50K is a small price.

30-50t ONLY For such a project You must be kidding, right?
Just let them offer you something, double it, and let them negotiate 25%... hehe

[TheGame!]

30-50t ONLY For such a project You must be kidding, right?
Just let them offer you something, double it, and let them negotiate 25%... hehe

right.. make it higher bro.. of all the subsystems you stated.. this will take time.. not unless if you use framework..

[TheGame!]

fixed bid will do.. make it 3 steps of payment.. benefit for the clients and you as a programmer.. like
1. acceptance fee
2. middle fee
3. final fee..

you will be the one to divide the percentage of the whole payment to make it 100%.. so it must have project timeline.

hope this will help..

[bigeasy]

Ask to be paid monthly. And get the specs down in writing. This project sounds like it has the possibility of growing into something crazy. Plus, it sounds like there are a lot of departments involved. I am sure everyone will want their input into the project.

I like your spirit and your ambition but if this is your first project, this might be something too big to start with. Maybe bid on just one of the systems first, not the whole thing.

[carmicael]

ok, i got your inputs guys, and this project is not a one-time installation, we had an agreement of a BETA period for at most 1 school year. i'd be doing the grading/report system first, then incorporate all the rest of the subsystems. for this project, i have been advised by my friends to use CodeIgniter and Jquery. so, considering i'm new here, 30-50K is still small? so i guess i'd be doing bits and pieces of your advises.

more Questions:

[a] Is the BETA time of 1 school year good enough, or too long? i'm betting on two grading periods (since this is a private school , elementary and secondary...)

[b] i've used CI for quite sometime, will compensation include the fact that i'm using open source?or is the price too expensive for an open source system?

[c] i still am stuck on the price. say 60K or 80K ++?or maybe 50K++? i'm still confused on this since i'm still a student, but i do know that i can create such a system.


thanks sa inyong input guys. it's really appreciated.

[dlanyer77]

com'on that kind of project for 50k only? you must be joking, bro. i even charged 150k for an accounting system alone 2 years ago and guess what i still savor the glittering payments for the enhancements until this very moment.

since you're still a newbie then perhaps it's a good idea to pair with someone who've been through this kind of business and be aware about MOA or you'll end up in court if you decide to make this kind of project alone.