What would you pay for this?

[Mizak Diza]

I have been working on a website for a broker/owner at Remax in Port Carling, Ontario. Originally, we signed a contract where I estimated the final cost to be between $600 - $650. I also requested a $300 deposit, which means he how owes maximum $350 (according to contract). The site is now almost 100% complete, but I feel that I have put much more than $650 worth of work into it. Is it fair to charge say, $600 on top of the initial deposit, instead of the estimated $350? I don't feel right about it, but the work is already done.

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Please check out http://www.digitech-designs.net/Bob and let me know what you'd be willing to pay for such a site, and if it's fair to charge over the original estimation.

Thanks very much,

Tyson Tredger
Digitech Designs

[ViperGeckoFreak]

site looks really nice.

sorry i dont have any input about the $$$

[busssm]

well, without looking at your work...a contract is a damn contract man. what would you think when you buy a car today pay $5000 lets say with another $5000 to go and the manager come to you after a week and says sorry, calculated wrong it costs now $10000. you cant do that man.

people are calculating and when you come there and out of nothing charge more than negotiated that's just not possible.

btw. forget that one, next time charge on a hourly basis

[poorhousefx]

The site it self is very srisp and clean. Good use of colors, text and images. Looks very professional. As for the money it is hard to say. I would have to say yes it is probably worth more than the $650 quoted, but unless you have it written in the contract that the price is subject to change based on time consumed in the project, I don't think it would be right to just change the price. I would take the $650 and use this as a learning experience so next time oyu write up a contract you can add a clause that the original price is just a quote and can be subject to change. The I would add the reasons such as hours spent, research, test, etc. Clarify why the price may change. But all in all, the site itself looks great

[Pixelwhip1]

Nice work!

Regarding the $....

It really depends on why there was more work involved. Did the client keep throwing more things to add in during the process? Did you just under estimate the amount of work?


I would approach it gently if it were a scope creep problem. I wouldn't approach it at all if it was an estimation problem. Contracts, sometimes they work for you, sometimes they don't....

Good luck,
P.

[Mizak Diza]

Thanks guys for everything....yes, I will use this as a learing experience and probably add such a clause to any future proposals.



Thanks Again,

- Tyson

[jpegger]

nice site!

I agree with everyone else. Now you'll know next time.

[clifgriffin]

Very nice site. 650 looks about right on the face of it.

A contract is a contract. Not only would it look bad to ask for more, you would lose his referall to others.

Good work!

[theswedishtiger]

If you quoted $600-$650 you would be seen as a shister by not only the customer. Word would get around quick that you stiffed the customer an extra $300 and did not offer your contract. No more work. Which would be a shame as the site is awesome.

I am in the same position with another customer. The quote was $800 which is about three days work. I gave him $800 worth and he was unhappy, so I kept the deposit and he grumbled. I am sure he is poisining my waters now, but better he say I am a lousy designer than someone who did not honor their word.

Just my two penny worth.

[Beckstar]

The site looks good - but I'm not too keen on the times new roman font - perhaps stick with arial / verdana etc around 10p.

In regards to the matter of the money - you mentioned that you had a contract, thus, if the original amount is mentioned in the contract and the customer has signed and agreed to it, then you really shouldn't charge him an extra. The client should not be penalised by having to pay more for your mistake of underquoting. Perhaps in future, make a note in your contract regarding additional fees, that way, if you are in this situation again and you feel as though you need to charge slightly more; the client would have acknowledged this already so it would be ok to charge more then.

It is a difficult situation to be in, but put yourself in your clients shoes - you've been told a site will cost you X amount of dollars, when the developer tells you it's finished but costs X + X amount of dollars, well, you wouldn't want to pay would you?

Goodluck with whatever you decide.

[J-Luv]

I think the site is very professional and worth way more than $650. the font is plain, but it didnt bring the quality of the site down any.

dont go back on your contract....use the fact that u sold yourself short in order to charge more in the future.