Pricing PHP/mySQL Work

[benbox]

Hi all !

I have been asked by a company to calculate an hourly rate for php & mysql work, for contractual work doing custom scripting to be implemented into web designs that they do (they also do lots of other management/organisational things but for this I would have thought only the web site is related).

So I am looking to you experienced people to help me set a suitable rate, but to do this you will probably need some more information about me and my skills, so here I go:

I am a 6th form student (16 years old) in the UK
Started php coding 2/3 years ago, been doing it seriously for a year/year and a half.
I suppose I could be classed as a freelance, but I will be working as a company - rather than an individual (so the company requiring the work would hire in my company to do the work - if you get me!)

What I know isnt necessarily an issue for the company, so perhaps the experience isnt really needed?

So could any of you people suggest a suitable rate that I could charge (so that I can then work out a project cost for how long it would take me to do)?

If not, could you possibly say what you charge (if you charge) or if you know what actual salaries are for php/mysql work? (when employed by a company)

Any help/guidance/info will be much appreciated,

Thank you
Ben

[drawmack]

at you're level of education/experience probably about 15 pounds an hour.

[BuzzLY]

Rate is usually not easy to figure out, except by experience. If this is your first job, my recommendation is for you to lowball your bid, so you can get the practical experience under your belt -- what they are looking for is practical work experience, not "knowledge."

A lot is also going to depend on where you live. If you live in the U.S, and have demonstrable success with past projects, you can charge up to $150 / hour. I personally have charged customers (or have been charged to customers, anywhere from $25 to $125.

If you live in India, or the UK, then rates are incredibly different.

I would recommend getting in touch with other PHP developers in your area and find out how much they charge for services. Don't approach as a company -- approach as an individual looking for a job. Otherwise they won't tell you anything.

Sorry I couldn't give you a hard figure. It's just not that clear-cut.

Good Luck!

[jayant]

Originally posted by BuzzLY
If you live in India, then rates are incredibly different.

like me.

the avg. rate here is USD 10(per day) - USD 40(per day)
1 day = 8 hours.
this is genreally when that firm is also Indian and based in India.

I charge minimum $15 per hour from my U.S clients. never went above $25. y? for big projects, i give a total work quote instead of per hour quote.

[vaska]

another way...as you are just getting started...

take the amount of hours you think it will take = x
and the minimum amount of money you want to be paid for it = y

divide y by x = $/euros/pounds per hour

if it's too little for you then, pass on it...v

[benbox]

hi guys,

thanks for that ... I have a better idea on how to go about it now, sent off a proposal to the company so I'll see what they say! 🙂

I will keep in touch if I need any more advice, thanks!

Ben