Hiring coder: General Questions

[orgbot]

Hi there, ive recently been thinking about starting a major project and I want it done right and professional so ive thought of hiring to get the job done.

I dont want to go into depth about the project but I just want to ask some general questions.

1- Where can I find coders (php, sql etc), preferably in Canada, and how does one know they are reliable?

2-What if they cant get it just how you like it? Do you settle for less?

3-Or perhaps I get estimates and put out bids?

4-Whats a ballpark figure for full site design and programming. Im trying to compare it to another site to give you an idea but i cant think of anything really. it would basically be user driven, not tons and tons of content. I will compare it to something like image shack.

http://www.imageshack.us/

Design is not as important as I can desing on my own, just the code, i want it to be mine.

We wont be considering server prices etc, just code and possible design.


Can anyone provide some help? Thanks. :D

[jlawrence]

Answers:
1. Don't know about canada, but for reliability you want references from previous projects - and to be able to contact those clients.
Why Canada ? coders could be anywhere in the world - who cares so long as they do a good job.
There are people on this board from Canada - ask them who they'd recommend.

2. The contract should state exactly what you want them to deliver. If they don't deliver, then that's unacceptable.

3. Firstly you have to define exactly what you want. The simply request that people bid for the work.

4. Difficult to put a ball park figure on anything without knowing exactly what you want.
I've done sites cost $500 and I've done sites well into the 10's of thousands. It depends upon exactly what you want, the time scale involved.

Feel free to PM me (or catch me on IM), I'd be happy to give you a quote - if it's something I'd be interested in doing.

[mushroom]

Perhaps some details on what you mean by

just the code, i want it to be mine.

[LGRComp]

1- Where can I find coders (php, sql etc), preferably in Canada, and how does one know they are reliable?

2-What if they cant get it just how you like it? Do you settle for less?

3-Or perhaps I get estimates and put out bids?

4-Whats a ballpark figure for full site design and programming. Im trying to compare it to another site to give you an idea but i cant think of anything really. it would basically be user driven, not tons and tons of content. I will compare it to something like image shack.


1. Talk to people you know who have had programming jobs done in the past. Past customers will tell you if such and such company/person is reliable or not. If you are starting with a new person check their references and past work. If they hesitate to give you any references that is probably a warning sign. Don't pay them everything upfront. Then they have no reason to finish the job.

2. Have clear project guidelines for the job. Many times it is not just the programmers fault but the fault of the project not having clear guidelines. If you can't clearly and precisely explain what you want then you won't get precesely what you want. This can take considerable time on both parties part. Do you settle for less...no. If you have clearly defined the project and its goals you should get what you want.

3. Get estimates, but remember you get what you pay for! This goes along with #2. If you can't precisely explain what you want then the bids will be inaccurate. If you go with a freelancing site remember a lot of programmers etc on those sites will offer you the world for a very small dollar amount.

Also, I know I charge extra to clients that want to own the code. Many programmers don't but special jobs that require me to give up ownership of my code is worth more money.

4. Given what I said above I won't even give you any kind of ballpark on that site, I don't have the project guidelines for it.

All that being said, I will put in a shameless plug :D . I might be able to help, and look I am in Canada too. My rates are generally lower than most companies since I live in a rural area. PM me and we can chat.