Comments on: The Agony of the Estimate http://www.sparkplugging.com/freelance-parent/the-agony-of-the-estimate/ Freelance Resources for Writers, Designers & Other Virtual Service Providers Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:50:10 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Lynette Chandler http://www.sparkplugging.com/freelance-parent/the-agony-of-the-estimate/comment-page-1/#comment-15092 Lynette Chandler Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:01:24 +0000 http://www.sparkplugging.com/freelance-parent/?p=879#comment-15092 Absolutely a numbers game. I don't specifically mentioned "not to exceed $X" but what I normally do is give a starting point. For projects that are simple and I can see an end to I will say, I do not foresee it to exceed (hours) BUT I also work with complex projects where clients are apt to change their minds or direction mid-way. For those I will tell them up front. If the project is to be done according to the specs you give me now then it is likely not to be over (hours) However, if there are any changes or modifications to the specs, it could alter the hours whether significantly or a little bit I can't say because I don't know what they will change. This kinda forces everyone to be more clear with their planning stage or at least be prepared. In the end, communication throughout is key. Absolutely a numbers game. I don’t specifically mentioned “not to exceed $X” but what I normally do is give a starting point. For projects that are simple and I can see an end to I will say, I do not foresee it to exceed (hours) BUT I also work with complex projects where clients are apt to change their minds or direction mid-way. For those I will tell them up front. If the project is to be done according to the specs you give me now then it is likely not to be over (hours)

However, if there are any changes or modifications to the specs, it could alter the hours whether significantly or a little bit I can’t say because I don’t know what they will change. This kinda forces everyone to be more clear with their planning stage or at least be prepared. In the end, communication throughout is key.

]]> By: Traci Feit Love http://www.sparkplugging.com/freelance-parent/the-agony-of-the-estimate/comment-page-1/#comment-14880 Traci Feit Love Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:25:32 +0000 http://www.sparkplugging.com/freelance-parent/?p=879#comment-14880 Thanks, Sarah. I haven't tried the "not to exceed $X" method, but if anyone else has, please chime in! Thanks, Sarah. I haven’t tried the “not to exceed $X” method, but if anyone else has, please chime in!

]]> By: Traci Feit Love http://www.sparkplugging.com/freelance-parent/the-agony-of-the-estimate/comment-page-1/#comment-14879 Traci Feit Love Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:23:36 +0000 http://www.sparkplugging.com/freelance-parent/?p=879#comment-14879 Thanks, Tammi. You're totally right about potential clients being busy people - it can be easy to forget that our estimates aren't necessarily the #1 things on their plates. Thanks, Tammi. You’re totally right about potential clients being busy people – it can be easy to forget that our estimates aren’t necessarily the #1 things on their plates.

]]> By: Sarah Z. Cordell http://www.sparkplugging.com/freelance-parent/the-agony-of-the-estimate/comment-page-1/#comment-14877 Sarah Z. Cordell Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:25:21 +0000 http://www.sparkplugging.com/freelance-parent/?p=879#comment-14877 Great post! I can definitely relate to the agony of putting together an estimate. I'm thinking about changing the way I quote projects to "not to exceed $X" rather than a set number. I feel it might give me for flexibility and the client more peace of mind. I haven't gone that route yet, though, so I'd be interested to hear if anyone has had success with something similar. Great post! I can definitely relate to the agony of putting together an estimate. I’m thinking about changing the way I quote projects to “not to exceed $X” rather than a set number. I feel it might give me for flexibility and the client more peace of mind. I haven’t gone that route yet, though, so I’d be interested to hear if anyone has had success with something similar.

]]> By: write a writing http://www.sparkplugging.com/freelance-parent/the-agony-of-the-estimate/comment-page-1/#comment-14876 write a writing Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:23:35 +0000 http://www.sparkplugging.com/freelance-parent/?p=879#comment-14876 Cool tips! and the estimation comes in billing as well :P Cool tips! and the estimation comes in billing as well :P

]]> By: Tammi ~ The Write Associate http://www.sparkplugging.com/freelance-parent/the-agony-of-the-estimate/comment-page-1/#comment-14875 Tammi ~ The Write Associate Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:53:02 +0000 http://www.sparkplugging.com/freelance-parent/?p=879#comment-14875 I completely agree that not having all your eggs in one basket can help take a little of the sting out of rejection. Not all of it, of course, but every little bit helps! I find that when I have multiple inquiries, each delayed response hurts a little less. It also helps to remember that my (potential) clients are busy people, so sometimes they'll take a week or more to get back to me. Just when I think I've lost them, they show up in my email inbox, giving the green light on our project! Thanks for the tips and advice...very well said. Tammi I completely agree that not having all your eggs in one basket can help take a little of the sting out of rejection. Not all of it, of course, but every little bit helps!

I find that when I have multiple inquiries, each delayed response hurts a little less. It also helps to remember that my (potential) clients are busy people, so sometimes they’ll take a week or more to get back to me. Just when I think I’ve lost them, they show up in my email inbox, giving the green light on our project!

Thanks for the tips and advice…very well said.

Tammi

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