9
votes
Accepted
Hired for work but problem was fixed by the client's hosting
Absolutely! If you did the work you were expected to do, and there was an agreement in place beforehand (even verbal), then I'd expect you to send them a bill.
This client may decide not to pay it, ...
- 6,872
8
votes
How to work with a micro-manage client
Sometimes the money is not worth it.
I offer discounted prices for well-behaved clients, and I overcharged the ones that are, well, no good people.
Here's how you've got to look at it, the client is ...
- 563
7
votes
Accepted
Should I Provide Free Support for Sometime
No you should not. Support should be a package they pay for, under your terms.
You build an app. It is tested by the end user, signed off and paid for, and only then does it go live.
If bugs become ...
- 1,750
7
votes
Accepted
small web project, is it reasonable to not meet with the client?
Let me tell a story....
I did some (very) minor design work about 5-10 years ago for a client who is older and not at all "tech savvy". It wasn't an expensive job... and really I only agreed to it ...
- 17.5k
7
votes
How to work with a micro-manage client
Generally, you cannot change clients; you can merely select the ones you want to work for and those you don't. The only factor where you are in full control is how you handle a client.
For some ...
- 3,822
6
votes
How to deal with a lying customer?
Whenever you run across an issue like this, you frame it like an accident. "Well, it looks like you accidentally opened the email and then flagged it as spam. I know you probably go through a lot of ...
- 1,660
6
votes
Accepted
When is a job too small for meetings?
I like this question: I struggled with the exact same thing with meetings in general. Clients one hour away asking me to join in on a meeting. I usually ended up spending an afternoon with 2 hours ...
- 1,629
6
votes
Raise price of hourly rate for existing client
Every one of us has come to this point. In my case, at some point when I got "too many" clients, I started filtering them on those keep working and those that simply take my time.
I sent circular ...
- 14.4k
6
votes
Accepted
How to help a client understand that 16-hour effort doesn't mean deliver the next day?
So you told the client it would be 16 hours of effort to complete, and that you need 3 weeks to complete it... What the client hears is "I need 16 hours ... to complete".
This comes down to the ...
- 6,872
6
votes
Safest way to send Credit Card information when communication is through email
A zipped archive is only helpful if it is encrypted with a password, and the password is not sent via email. As well, the customer would need to ensure they're following the instructions exactly to ...
- 6,872
5
votes
Controlling stress associated with maintenance services
Your friend is a guy called SLA.
Service Level Agreement
You set how heavy the lash is for the amount of money the client is willing to pay. Doesn't matter the job.
Low pay - SLA of 5 business days
...
- 563
5
votes
Accepted
Freelance programmer's monthly fees, expectations too high?
Ah, the good old fashioned "stuff works and never breaks" assumption from a non-it manager.
First up, DBA requirements. Advise them that if they do not wish to procure DBA support from you, they will ...
- 1,030
5
votes
How to reject a project that does not fit with my skills or goes beyond my skills in order to keep your client for future projects?
The best way to keep that client is to find a subcontractor who can do the job. In that way, you move from being "a programmer" to "someone who solves computer problems." When you ...
- 1,555
5
votes
How can a company protect itself from technological theft when bringing on a freelancer?
This is not just a freelancer problem. You have the same problem with employees.
There are two parts to solving this problem - people and process.
On the people side, it is important to hire reputable ...
- 1,555
4
votes
How can a company protect itself from technological theft when bringing on a freelancer?
Typically, one seeks to address these concerns from a judicial standpoint with non-disclosure agreements. However, in many/most jurisdictions if need be, this must be followed up by actual will and ...
- 3,822
3
votes
How should I deal with clients wanting to meet me, although I work at home?
There are more options than the 3 you listed. Maybe your client doesn't want to meet at a coffee shop because he doesn't want to discuss business in a public place where everybody can hear every ...
- 209
3
votes
Accepted
Client asking for a refund of advance payments for an uncompleted project
It's really up to you to decide what the work you have already done is worth. If the advance payment was in the full amount then maybe meet the client in the 30%-50% refund range, supply him/her the ...
- 166
3
votes
Client asking for a refund of advance payments for an uncompleted project
You have just learned the importance of having a written schedule of deliverables. After which, anytime the client says 'can this do that', you say 'yes of course, that will be an additional $xx.xx, ...
- 1,750
3
votes
Controlling stress associated with maintenance services
This sounds like a combination of System Admin and Desktop Support. I'll answer for both as I have done both...
If you're looking after servers and networks, 99.99% of the job will be in office hours....
- 1,030
3
votes
Can a client sue when I removed the work I did after they didn't pay
When they say they will take legal actions, then so should you. Get lawyered up!
I am not a lawyer and can not provide reliable legal advise. But I believe that it might not be a good idea to undo ...
- 176
3
votes
Accepted
Client requesting things out of my domain in the name of maintainance
I'd simply state...
"No. That's not what our contract covers. Our contract covers software maintenance as related to the application I've created for you. Nothing more. Our contract does NOT relate ...
- 17.5k
3
votes
Accepted
Can I ask my full-time freelancer to help me with personal work?
If your intention is to treat your financial services freelancer as a Personal Assistant then there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, as long as you understand that they'll almost certainly quit ...
- 893
2
votes
When is a job too small for meetings?
No, do not decline them unless you do not work on it, you don't like it and so on.
Simply ask a client if he is wiling to cover your travelling costs and that you will charge time spent on meeting ...
- 14.4k
2
votes
Freelance programmer's monthly fees, expectations too high?
It's almost impossible to predict how many hours it may take to maintain some system. Every system that has users who use it can have a person full-time maintaining it.
Now, I also know that many ...
- 14.4k
2
votes
Client asking for a refund of advance payments for an uncompleted project
No refund, except maybe if the advance payment covers more than what has been performed.
A much better solution would be to find an agreement so that you deliver something of use to the customer (...
- 1,174
2
votes
How do I increase efficiency in client communications without seeming impersonal?
There's nothing wrong with a mass-email about a vacation or other unavailability. That seems like the best way to handle it.
News on software updates and industry trends is a little more iffy. I would ...
- 1,660
2
votes
Guides for clients to learn to save files to online cloud storage
I consider it part of my job to make it as easy as possible for clients to send me anything. The last thing I want to do is make it uncomfortable or unusual for any client to send me anything.
I may ...
- 17.5k
2
votes
What should be included in an I. T maintenance retainer?
I am mostly in the same boat as you, so I'll offer my experience.
First, what kind of work would you be expecting to cover with the maintenance agreement? Are you going to fix their phones? Are you ...
- 6,872
2
votes
How to help a client understand that 16-hour effort doesn't mean deliver the next day?
I think it's fairly simple..
Sorry [client],
It doesn't work that way. The 16 hours needed to complete your project must be scheduled and coordinated with other ongoing projects. I will need 3 ...
- 17.5k
2
votes
Accepted
Client is asking me to add an item to an invoice that I haven't charged for or work for, it is right for me to add it?
It is shady.
Invoices are your business records. They reflect your income. You should never add anything to any invoice which your business is not directly responsible for.
The client is asking ...
- 17.5k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible