Reply to: How much is enough?

[doodab]

The quality of the work coming back was external suppliers / 2 man consultancies was horrendous, lacking of experience and knowledge plastered all over it. There must have been backhanders.

I don't think it's due to backhanders, but undercutting on the original bids.

[scooterscot]

You're not working at my place are you?

WHS.

Just finished with a client having been in a similar position. Money never an object flowing out the door like a river.

The quality of the work coming back was external suppliers / 2 man consultancies was horrendous, lacking of experience and knowledge plastered all over it. There must have been backhanders.

All about short term gains for the client who cares what happens in 1-2 years time. Burying heads in the sand.

I'm for the off when I'm unable to convince them otherwise.

[doomage]

As a starting point, I believe the tube workers are threatening to strike as they aren't getting triple time and a day in lieu for boxing day.

knob gobblers.

[ThomasSoerensen]

Just get the contract changed to be based on an hourly rate - then up the hourly rate to whatever you think you can get away with.

[MarillionFan]

If you can live without the gig then put in a quote for a ridiculous amount of money. If they are desperate they will pay it and you will be happy to put up with the daft hours.

Like someone said. Figure out what covers a 16 hour day then multiply by 4, or 10 if you think you can get away with it.

If they don't cough you have an enjoyable Christmas. If they do you have a great new year/house/car/yacht.

I used to do this type of thing, but frankly these days I don't have the energy or inclination to do additional work outside of my contracting hours unless it is extremely exceptional.

[Arturo Bassick]

If you can live without the gig then put in a quote for a ridiculous amount of money. If they are desperate they will pay it and you will be happy to put up with the daft hours.

Like someone said. Figure out what covers a 16 hour day then multiply by 4, or 10 if you think you can get away with it.

If they don't cough you have an enjoyable Christmas. If they do you have a great new year/house/car/yacht.

[ChimpMaster]

I found myself doing longer hours than I wanted (and contracted for), plus with 3 hours commuting in total each day I was completely knackered.

I negotiated with the client to get paid 1.5 * rate for over 8 hours/day and then the odd day working at home too. Personally I'm quite happy with that, especially because I know I am very expensive compared to other contractors here.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

Yes, it's not. I was talking to one of the other guys on the phone yesterday and he said he's been doing 12hr days for months. The PM seems to be one of those lunatics who thinks if he turns around to you at 4pm and says "I need you to do this today as well" it will magically happen even though it's about two days worth of work, so I don't think he is kidding.

Arggh I hear you - got an email from clientco bod today - when will all this extra work that is poorly defined and wasn't mentioned when we agreed our plan last week get done? Had ask colleague to write the reply because I couldn't write one without abusive swearing

[eek]

Well, I would guess based on experience with other projects like this that having next year off is actually a possibility.



Nah, then there is no chance of it deteriorating into a pointless spat

I wasn't being too serious just having a dig at something SY said when MF suggested the opposite for his current tale of stupidity woe.

[doodab]

You need to know the size of the penalty clause. That is what they need you to avoid and it takes 10%, 20% of that for you to fix the problem they will pay it.

Well, I would guess based on experience with other projects like this that having next year off is actually a possibility.

On a sidenote shouldn't this be moved to Business/Contracts

Nah, then there is no chance of it deteriorating into a pointless spat

[doodab]

16 hour IT days doesn't sound healthy. Still, kerching.

Yes, it's not. I was talking to one of the other guys on the phone yesterday and he said he's been doing 12hr days for months. The PM seems to be one of those lunatics who thinks if he turns around to you at 4pm and says "I need you to do this today as well" it will magically happen even though it's about two days worth of work, so I don't think he is kidding.

[eek]

If I quadruple it I can have next year off

That would actually be worth the 2 weeks of hassle.

You need to know the size of the penalty clause. That is what they need you to avoid and it takes 10%, 20% of that for you to fix the problem they will pay it.

On a sidenote shouldn't this be moved to Business/Contracts

[eek]

16 hour IT days doesn't sound healthy. Still, kerching.

Are you really kerching if you are on a professional working day which you quoted on the basis of 8 hours.

[doodab]

Take you hourly rate and ensure that your professional day covers 16 of those hours. Then double it for the week between Christmas and New Year.

Of course if you don't want the work quadruple it but there is no way I would be working 12-16 hour days for any length of time. Chances are its those expectations of hours that are the real reason they are in such a mess.

If I quadruple it I can have next year off

That would actually be worth the 2 weeks of hassle.

[TimberWolf]

16 hour IT days doesn't sound healthy. Still, kerching.