I hate when this happens

[honey the codewitch]

I have a project I'm working on - a one click ESP32 firmware uploader that runs on windows without having python and a bunch of other crap installed. I told my client I couldn't estimate it yet because there are too many unknowns and I need to poke at it for a bit before I can come up with a timeline. You ever been there? Probably. The thing is though, privately I'm targeting under 15-20 hours because if it takes longer the client will probably balk and I'll look ... less than great for having underdelivered in terms of budget on something that they expected to be relatively inexpensive. I am not sure I can hit that goal. I can privately do some of it on my own time to spare my reputation but I don't like to give away work on principle - it's not really about the money - more it's just bad business - usually, though in this case it might be worth making an exception. Part of me would be okay with it by virtue of the fact that my client gave me the go ahead to publish the work product here at code project, so even though it's not something I would have written for free, I can give it away for free, which makes me more inclined to develop some of it gratis. I'm torn.

Real programmers use butterflies

[pkfox]

If it means maintaining a good relationship with your client ( future work etc ) I would definitely be inclined to make an exception

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!" - Hunter S Thompson - RIP

[Sander Rossel]

Been there. It's important the client knows the actual costs, or they're going to expect you work for free/less money. I literally gave a customer a "customer loyalty discount" because it was their third fairly big project with me and even then I didn't budge all the way to what he wanted. He wanted a €4000 discount, I gave him €1500 I think, and I still got the job. We'll be discussing his fourth project later this year. Another to-be customer expected me to do a €3000 job for €500, I said no to that. I knew the guy and I told him I'd be willing to meet him halfway for this one time if that meant future work and because it'd really help him out of a tough spot. I did it for €1500, but never got the future work. He'll help me set up my Exchange account for free though, so I guess it sort of works out in the end. Sometimes you win some, sometimes you lose some. Just don't be the nice person who always loses.

Best, Sander Azure DevOps Succinctly (free eBook) Azure Serverless Succinctly (free eBook) Migrating Apps to the Cloud with Azure arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript

[john morrison leon]

But you don't want a good relationship if it is based on you being the looser.

[honey the codewitch]

Turns out someone wrote what I needed already. Magic! It means less money for me, but a very happy client, so all's well. :)

Real programmers use butterflies

[honey the codewitch]

Yeah. I agree. This one has been *very* good to me though. Treats me very well. Gave me a raise without me asking for it, almost doubling what we had initially agreed upon. They don't seem the type to take advantage. That having been said, my problem went away, because I was just pointed to an exe that does exactly what I was writing code to do. Means less money in my pocket, but a very happy client, so I'm good with that.

Real programmers use butterflies

[TNCaver]

honey the codewitch wrote:

Gave me a raise without me asking for it

You could look at it like they've prepaid for some future extra effort. They sound like a keeper.

If you think 'goto' is evil, try writing an Assembly program without JMP.

[Lost User]

On a "15-20" hour project I would be showing something to the client every day to keep up their enthusiasm; estimate or no estimate. If those hours then becomes weeks, through extensions, then it becomes at least weekly deliverables. Never less.

"Before entering on an understanding, I have meditated for a long time, and have foreseen what might happen. It is not genius which reveals to me suddenly, secretly, what I have to say or to do in a circumstance unexpected by other people; it is reflection, it is meditation." - Napoleon I