0. Make the customer happy.
This is really what we all should strive to do. While he's contractually buying a product, I find that everyone is really buying happiness - or trying to.
I've seen people get contracts who aren't as skilled as others, but they were great at making the customer feel happy about signing with them.
This leads me to rule 0.5 …
0.5 Talk to the client frequently.
I know a lot of people who initially make the mistake of viewing a customer 'digitally' - i.e. "I've got the contract, see you when I'm done".
The point they quickly learn is: You're not selling just the software specified in the contract, you're selling yourself. The client has to have confidence in you as a software author and in you as a solid professional.
So, in bidding a job, I would always factor in the number of hours I would likely spend at the client's offices building and maintaining confidence. This would be time going over the user interface or testing internal workings - it was never just 'hanging' out.
If he wants to add a feature after signing the contract, great! This is why detailing the project and specifying what happens if the project is changed is so important. If it's small, I might do it for free - but I will also send him an amended contract specification which lists the cost of the change and then credit him. This is a useful reminder that he was liable to pay for it! ;)
7. Add a clause that specifies what interest he pays if he is late on a payment.
I had a friend who did design work - he charged 20% interest on late payments. This worked well for him.
On Feb 18, 2005, at 5:27 PM, Dan Shafer wrote:
1. Typically get 1/3 to 1/2 of the project fee (or estimate) on signing the deal.
2. Tie milestone payments to deliveries where possible.
3. Stop work if and when payments are late or stop.
4. Get it in writing.
5. Make sure the spec is clear and that any changes have to be in writing and approved by both parties. It's even better if changes also incur a charge and/or include the right to adjust the agreed-upon fee.
6. Leave a percentage -- 10-20 usually works -- to be paid N days after final delivery or on acceptance of the project, whichever occurs first.
Ro Nagey ~ [EMAIL PROTECTED] ~ http://www.runrev.com/ Runtime Revolution - User-Centric Development Tools
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