====== Contract Tips ======
From talks with [[http://www.andrewgarrahan.com|Andrew Garrahan]]

  - Time Estimate
    * estimate time needed, then add a "pad" of 20-40% to be safe
    * clients want to hear an estimate, because they rely on you as the 'expert'
    * factor in learning/research, unexpected problems, etc
  - Getting Paid
    * charge $40 / hr (2/20/08); that is what Andrew gets now
    * if you charge too low, companies may view this as not professional or like you do not know what you are doing
    * Gov't starts contractual work at $50 / hr
  - Warranty of Work
    * Try to sell "as-is"
    * allow client a final check-off or sign-off
      * once this is completed, client agrees project is completed
      * no implied service contract
        * complimentary 1-2 weeks of warranty for assistance that is obviously in-scope, related to the original project, and unarguably caused by changes I made
  - Good Clients
    * be sure to choose good client
    * you want to work with good, honest people who wont cause hassles and will provide repeat work

====== Lessons Learned ======
  - Check communications (cell, email) frequently after any sizable change. Proactively communicate with users and/or superior when the first real-life load on a new system takes place.
    * My cell phone unknowingly turned off and I missed a situation where users were not able to login because of license issues on the new server
  - Define in contract, very clearly, during AND after the project, what may be defined as work outside of the contract.
    * Allow client to know that work outside of the contract will be charged fee.