Consultant/Contract Fees

[HeatherO]

Hi,
I'm just new to programming in Excel/VBA and I was just wondering what is the normal fee rate per hour for programming using Excel and VB for data entry forms plus A project to look up from Word to Excel and gather information to put into a Word document?? I'm just wondering if I underquoted myself. I said $50/hour.
Thanks,
Heather

 

[NateO]

Hello Heather,

Is that in CND or USD?

It doesn't strike me as a low ball bid; actually, it looks pretty healthy considering what you cite your experience level to be.

I once had someone ask me to work on a project for them for $12/hour, to which I said "Thanks, but no thanks."

You might [want to] take a realization hit based on your experience level (you might spend far too much time doing what an experienced developer would do very quickly)... It may also make sense to simply figure out what the project is worth.

You'll probably get a better gauge on this as you go; it's a combination of individual circumstances (e.g., range of skill sets, implementation speed, etc...) and what the market will bear, eh.

 

[HeatherO]

That's pretty low $12/hour. It's $50 canadian. I just thought it would be higher because all kinds of other people told me what visual basic programmers make and this is using both excel and vb. I have worked as a programmer just in RPG and progress. So for billing I guess I should acount about 50% of what I am actually doing as learning. Thanks for the response I am glad to know it is a good rate. The project just seemed so difficult that's all and I was getting frustrated trying to learn it as quick as I can. Thanks again.

 

[NateO]

You are welcome.

The frustration is probably more due to your inexperience with VB[A] than the rate, yes-no?

Here's another way to think about your situation: A full-time, 9-5 gig offers up roughly 2,000 working hours per annum. Let's say you were 100% chargeable and had 100% realization (it's a hypothetical ), you'd bill out $100,000 per annum.

After Canadian taxes, you'd be left with ~$50.00. Sound reasonable?

 

[HeatherO]

Yes you are right that was my frustration it was over not being to familiar with the code and yet trying to do a project within the same amount of time as a professional VB/excel programmer. You're right about the $50.00 how did you know our wonderful tax system that makes you poor unless you are absolutely filthy rich? Funny I'm working my but off to get less then half my money doesn't seem right. Thanks again.