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Typical Consultancy rates

I have been asked to consult on a project that will, primarily, utilize MS Access and the following scope:

To create a central access database that would acommodate multiple end-users, tracking employee hours, salaries, overtime, etc.

I estimate the project to last 8-12 weeks.

I have never "consulted" offiicially before and have no idea what compensation to request (perhour). It has also been requested that all work performed be done on premises which may be a problem for me.

Any ideas?

Tim Holman

1) For an 8-12 week project, it may well be that MS Access is not up to the job. How many people need to use this database? How big will it get? Why do they think they need MS Access rather than an off the shelf HR application that will do this all for them?
2) Quote a daily consultancy rate, and agree on what to do about expenses. if the site is far away, then it's reasonable to charge expenses on top of your daily rate
3) For a good, experienced consultant who can get this done quickly, personal rates can vary between £400 and £1200 in the UK. You'll need to negotiate. Go in high, and drop if they think you're too expensive!

earth man2

It may be better to get an existing system that you can customise see
http://www.fynetime.co.uk

Rates will vary between London, Paris, Berwick Upon Tweed, Sydney ....

Look at 1.6 times salaried position as your lowest bid.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Scott McDaniel (EE MVE )

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Tayger

Guess you have the possibility to set a fix price or a hourly/daily rate. In general the hourly rate is better for the consultant. Most projects needs functional extenesion and desired extenesions by the customer. Its hard to say how much time a project takes unless your customer hands you over a clear specification paper (rare pater, I dont see them a lot ;) ). The more you know about the project the clearer you can estimate the time you need for it. If you cant make it for a fix price in the estimated time, then its on you.
If you can nail down what your customer exactly wants you wont run into customer discussions like "but I also wanted this and that".
I normally calculate a tight time line and double it and I come quite close to the reality with this.