Freelance, Consulting, & Other Services; and Employment Information

I am frequently asked questions regarding what services I offer and how much I charge. In the true spirit of the web, here’s an FAQ to answer just that. Of course, if your questions aren’t answered to your satisfaction, you’re more than welcome to contact me for clarification.

This page is divided into four sections:

1. paid advertisements / articles on this site
2. full-time employment
3. freelance/consulting services
4. what are you “so expensive”?

Paid Advertisements / Articles on this Site

I want to advertise on your website, what does it cost?

• For custom-written posts (sponsored reviews), I charge $20 plus $10 per 100 words (with a 100 word minimum).
• For up to two linked words in a current article I charge $5.00 per linked keyword/keyphrase.
• In-article graphics or text-ad blocks in current articles are $5.00 for a 200×200 block.

Full-Time Employment

Are you looking for a new job?

• I’m currently employed full-time with a company that I absolutely love.
• Though I’m not actively seeking new employment, you’re welcome to contact me with legitimate offers of employment, noting the criteria below.

What compensation would you require to consider a new job?

• The position should be full-time, permanent in most cases (contract-to-hire positions aren’t usually considered).
• Ideally, the position should be within commuting distance from Davis County, Utah; or allow for full-time telecommuting, or provide 100% differential relocation expenses.
• 401(k) program with 6% employeer match, 100% vested after 2 years (or post-tax cash equivalent applied to wage/salary).
• Full family benefits — medical, dental, visual (or post-tax cash equivalent applied to wage/salary).
• Medical Flexible Spending Account (”Cafeteria Plan”) (or post-tax cash equivalent applied to wage/salary).

What about wage? Salary?

• Yes, I expect to be paid — well.
• How well is well? That’s negotiable. Just do your homework and don’t under-bid. If you do, you’re wasting my time and your time.
• Remember that you’re hiring a specialist… not just some geeky, high school web guy.

What types of jobs would not be a good fit for you?

• The position should utilize (a) defacto/accepted industry standards and (b) Microsoft technologies. This excludes positions seeking Java developers, php developers, etc.
• Please don’t infer that I’m opposed to these platforms, just like most developers, I’ve had to choose what to specialize on, and I’ve chosen Microsoft technologies (Visual Studio, ASP.NET, IIS, MS SQL, etc.). While arguments can be made about the rapidity and robustness of any development environment, the point is that I’ve decided on a specialty — very much like a doctor decides on a specialty.
• You wouldn’t hire a cardiologist to perform neurosurgery, or vice versa — nor would you go to your general practitioner when you need a cardiologist or neurosurgeon. Hopefully you wouldn’t hire an ASP.NET developer to work on a JavaBeans or LAMP project.
• You shouldn’t expect to pay a neurosurgeon the same amount as a general practitioner. Same thing applies here.

Freelance/Consulting Services

Do you design web pages?

• No, I am a web developer. I take designs and turn them in to well-structured, SE) optimized, semantic xhtml/dhtml styled with cross-browser/cross-platform css.

Can you make me a web site?

• Yes. I will need layered .PSDs (Photoshop Documents) for each page-type that you would like to have, as well as structured .DOC files containing the “copy” that you want included on your pages.
• Typical development costs run between $3,000 and $5,000 for moderately sized web sites with 3-5 templates (page styles).
• I do not typically provide hosting services or domain name registration, though I can assist you in finding companies that provide these services to partner with.

I just have a bunch of questions regarding (insert some technical mumbo jumbo here), can you help me answer them?

• Yes.
• Phone and email question/answer consulting services run $50/hr
• In-person question/answer consulting services run $75/hr (including transit time)

Do you fix computers?

• Yes, in most cases.
• You must have your original installation disks (for programs and operating system) as well as any and all serial numbers and/or product codes.
• You are responsible for backing up all data that you want saved before allowing me to work on your computer.
• You MUST have a current anti-virus licence or I cannot scan for viruses (their rule, not mine). If I cannot scan for viruses I will not attach any of my drives to your computer, or your computer to my network (for updates, etc.). In short, this usually means the hard drive will be wiped and restored to “vanilla” condition.
• Rates begin at $50/hr technician time, plus $25/hr bench time. Technician time is time I spend working on your computer; bench time is time your computer sits on the bench doing something without me being directly involved (virus scanning, defragmenting, downloading/installing updates/programs, and running hardware diagnostics.
• Final bills average $225 to $750.

Why are you “so expensive”?

I’m a Professional Senior Web Developer

• “Professional” denotes the opposite of “Amateur”. If your other candidates are notably cheaper than I am, perhaps their quality is as well.
• “Senior” denotes that I’ve been doing this for quite a while… over 12 years now. I’ve seen trends and fads come and go. I know what works and I know what doesn’t. I know that it’s foolish to use technology for technology’s sake. If your other candidates are notably cheaper than I am, perhaps they’ve only been at this for a little while — and their inexperience may cost quite a bit down the road.
• Remember that this is your online identity we’re talking about. If you want to present a professional outward appearance in person you probably don’t wear ratty jeans and a t-shirt with holes in it, why would you do that with your web site? Cleanliness of markup, optimization of graphics, overall interface and usability are important. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I do offer consulting services to help educate those that may be over their heads with “all this techno stuff.”

Why do you charge what you do?

• Simply put, I demand to get paid what I’m worth. Take what you do, for example. Would you be willing to do your job for 10% less? Why not?
• If you think I’m too expensive, you’re probably not looking for someone with my skill set and/or experience.

But my [ nephew | a friend's kid ] can [ make me a web site | fix my computer ] for a lot less than that

• Great! Why are you looking for anyone else? Perhaps it’s because they don’t have the qualifications and/or experience that you want.
• There has to be a rational reason why they are so cheap; the better question might be “why are they so cheap?”

I can hire a firm in India to do this for me for a lot less than you’re charging

• Great! When they go out of business, or charge you 3-4 times more to maintain the project than you paid for it, or never deliver it to you, go ahead and come back to me.
• It’ll probably cost about 150% what it would have to “fix” their stuff than it would have if you’d have hired someone reputable in the first place.