OK, so an agency has contacted me to be a contract developer on a large project they have coming up. Now, they're not developers, so they need me to meet with the client for an extensive session to hash out the application details. I will obviously be charging an hourly fee for programming, but should I charge them for my time to sit with the client and work out the project? After all, they're being paid on salary, so all of their project planning time is compensated for... Thoughts?
You should absolutely charge for consultation. In my own business, I'll discount my normal rate for consultation as compared to programming time, but not too much. After all, time spent consulting is not time spent programming.
Yes but it would show that your a nice guy, if you don't' charge money for it. They might also get it the wrong way when you charge.
for sure you need to charge your fees , one trick you can use here and tell them that in case the entire project is to be managed by me ill adjust the fees with total cost, also inform them in advance per hour cost. you can charge your fees which you normally do.
Business is business and if you don't place a value on your time then why would anyone pay for it? You can state your going rate and then lower it if you want to appear as a good guy or if they are paying you for another service but otherwise you should charge someone if you are working for them.
While I pretty much agree with everyone above - remember that a huge hook in advertising your services is the "free consultation". But in this instance, since you stated that they contacted you (assuming you didn't solicit the project) I think you should charge for your consultation. They'll expect it! my 2 cents...
Lot of programmers specify on the agreement they will put this x number of hours on meetings, if there is anything extra they charge for that. Generally the charge is same as programming.
Its good to specify the number of hours for meetings, otherwise they may ask you for meetings on really stupid things. Also you wanna put these things on paper signed by them. People can even not pay you over stupid things.
If it takes more than an hour of consultation, I would charge them. As for charging more or less than your programming fees, I would say... a little below programming fees (they'll think it's more fair...)
Maybe bill the agency. Who in turn bill the client. That way it is seen as part of the billing process and not personally. In other wordz, include the fee in your contractor fee.
I would say talk to the agency first and clear up everything. There could be many more sittings like this and if you are not getting paid for your sittings, you would be working for free.
Yes you have to charge, No doubt about that and you should have to charge more than your programming charges. Because analysis and fundamental approach is lot more important than programming as you had said it’s a vast project then you must be aware of the value of Quality analysis.