I’ve recently been given a contract to setup a Microsoft Access database for a small business. This includes purchasing the machine, installation, as well as creating a webpage. How much does one normally charge for this? This is the first time I’ve done this so I don’t know what a reasonable amount would be. Would a set amount (i.e. $500) be better, or an hourly rate? Any suggestions?
You can charge an hourly rate. Or, you can figure out what hourly rate you would charge, estimate the time required, and charge a set fee based on that math.
Because you haven’t done this before, charging by the hour might be wise. I suggest you give a general estimate in your statement of work. Spell out exactly what deliverables and deadlines the client must meet in order for you to get the job done according to the estimate. That way, if they add hours to the process by cocking up their end of the deal, they can’t accuse you of being slow or sloppy or overcharging.
Also, my advice would be to have at least three face-to-face meeting during the job. If face-to-face isn’t possible, have calls. People who ask you to build stuff never know what they want, and they don’t understand what you’re doing. 
I’m going to assume you’ve already decided on the level of security, procedure for building and managing the database, etc…
Good luck. Have fun. Nothing like being a lone wolf. Don’t forget the taxman will want a cut, even if you are neither here nor there.
This is gonna sound harsh, but the idea that you don’t know how much to charge for this might indicate that you aren’t qualified to provide the service that you’re being paid for.
Seriously, when was the last time you went to a merchant and when you placed your order he turned around said “How much for this?”. Not real encouraging is it? And this ain’t a cheeseburger.
Setting up an Acess database is indeed a bitch…that is what I have been doing for the last two years. The company I work for loves me, I have major job security for at least the next year (due to a large lawsuit that this database is used for tracking). I have attached photos, created automatic fax forms, form letters with letterhead, over 30 specific reports, automatic backup and many other features. To be quite honest, a lot of stuff I have done isn’t even in any Access manuals…and I am not all that sure I could ever re-create it from scratch.
That said, I always feel I am 3 seconds away from a crash that could put me on the unemployment line.
As far as price to make one?
Let’s put it this way…if you are good, the sky is the limit…but one false step and you are dead. I would say $50 an hour is good for a semi-qualified person, but you better be good.
Just to let you know…my database recently was deleted in a server update…thank the lucky stars I always backed up on my hard drive. Only lost two days of work, and I was clever enough to have printed out a report the night before - so even that just meant re-entering data.
Access is like sex…anybody can do it, but only the professionals make a living doing it.
I’d say definitely set an hourly rate, but even more important, define the scope of the project before you do anything else. Get what the project will and will not include in writing and have the people who will be paying you sign off on it before you begin. Also, set up a contract in writing and make sure who purchases the equipment is spelled out in it. I also recommend making provisions for documentation, user manuals, and maintenance. Maintenance should include a definition of what is and is not considered maintenance. A client of my former employer once wanted to me to go back out to their plant to “maintain” an inventory database I’d built for them two years earlier. “Maintain” in this case meant adding a new field for free because it was maintaining it not upgrading it.
DMark, you forgot one thing about the similarity between programming Access and sex – if you do it well, your clients will love you forever!
CJ
Another similarity between programming and sex…one mistake and you have to support it forever.
I would suggest also that you determine milestones for development and get sign-offs along the way. Many times you may think you understand what they want, but they don’t even know.
They’ll always have expectations, though, and if you aren’t constantly checking in with them, it’s really easy to get off the mark. Hourly is definitely the way to go, especially if you haven’t done it before.