VBA Consulting need advice

I have been trying to pick up some consulting work on the side, and I have a former co-worker who I've done some free work for in the past that is now offering to pay. I'm having a little trouble trying to figure out what to charge her.

On the one hand I don't want to scare her off, but on the other I enjoy what I do so much that I'm afraid I may be undervaluing myself. I make about $30/hour at my regular job so I guess that's what I'm thinking I'll charge.

I am just wondering what others charge for this type of work.

Thanks!
nZ

As a rule of thumb, John Walkenbach (author of The Excel Bible and several other very good books) says on his website that he charges $100/hr for his consulting services. As such, I'd certainly raise my eyebrows to anyone charging more than that.

IMHO, $30/hr is a very reasonable price for an experienced programmer; and, if you feel comfortable with it, and your client feels comfortable with it, that's really all that matters.

It just occured to me that a lot of people may not want to reveal what they personally charge. Maybe the better question would have been what is a reasonable rate.

I appreciate your input.

nZ

LOL! Some people may not want to put that indeed!


IMHO, I would say anything between $20-$50 per hour. That is depending on a few things, i.e. your skills/knowledge (as compared to others in the field), your average rate, project size, what others of your caliber are charging, and of course how much of a PITA the project will be. LOL!

All in all, that's not a bad rate, I don't think. It's very reasonable. We can't all be John Walkenbach's (t'would be nice!) so keeping prices reasonable is a big issue. I've heard other consultants say, "take what you make everyday, double it, that's what you should charge." Which I think also depends on what you make. What I get out of that is about the range I specified above, depending of course.