Do you charge for a software prototype?

[Salazzar]

I have just started freelancing. And I do get people looking for MIS for businesses, schools, and hospitals in some country in Africa. But those projects often come from a third party, and most of the time, they end up being cancelled before the work is done. So this morning some guy has contacted me asking if we can work on prototypes for three projects.

So I am wondering if I should charge for the work to be done in prototyping now, since those projects might not come to life, or even hit the finish line.

 

[Ancalagon]

So, let me get this straight. Some other guy was asked to do something (ie a consultant) and wants to outsource the creation of the prototype to you? I would definitely bill him for that. If you are not dealing directly with the client, then you should always bill.

If you are dealing directly with the client, then you have to decide if its a risk worth taking. Sometimes doing a prototype for free can get you the business, but not always.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

Yes, charge them. Prototypes often become the end product and your been paid for your time and experience, what is done with that is not your problem.

 

[Salazzar]

So, let me get this straight. Some other guy was asked to do something (ie a consultant) and wants to outsource the creation of the prototype to you? I would definitely bill him for that. If you are not dealing directly with the client, then you should always bill.

If you are dealing directly with the client, then you have to decide if its a risk worth taking. Sometimes doing a prototype for free can get you the business, but not always.

Thanks. Cause the guy want us to work on the whole system. But I am not sure if the project might be accepted. And since most of the time I get people that waste my time in the same way. I decided to better do website and mobile apps, than big projects that would not make it. That is why I want to start charging for prototype

 

[noxibox]

If it's a prototype for a customer, then most of the time you'll struggle to get them to pay for it. If it does go ahead, then what you charge for the final project takes into account the cost of the time you spend doing prototypes. You can think of it like a shop paying for space whether you buy something or not, but they work those costs into their prices.

If someone is subcontracting the prototype to you, then you just charge them for the work. And make sure you either get some payment upfront or at the very least incremental payments along the way. There are a lot of guys out there who simply do not pay at the end of a project knowing that it won't be worth it for you to try suing them.

 

[Seriously]

Thanks. Cause the guy want us to work on the whole system. But I am not sure if the project might be accepted. And since most of the time I get people that waste my time in the same way. I decided to better do website and mobile apps, than big projects that would not make it. That is why I want to start charging for prototype

Can some sort of protection not be build in that will expire!

 

[biometrics]

Of course!

 

[Mystic Twilight]

As everyone else has said, charge them. If you want to be super sneaky, include a backdoor .

 

[koeksGHT]

If you don't want to charge maybe a deposit will give more security on clients for prototypes?

But you should charge, it is work

 

[Rickster]

Charge, but maybe a cheaper rate then full price for the final as the prototype is a "rough draft" with possible bugs.

 

[Ancalagon]

Charge, but maybe a cheaper rate then full price for the final as the prototype is a "rough draft" with possible bugs.

I dont see why - since it is a prototype, less time will be required so it will be cheaper. But the rate for Salazzar's labour should be the same - its not that he is doing worse or less important work, its that he doesnt have the time or budget to polish it.

 

[_kabal_]

the title of this thread could just have easily said "Do you charge for doing work?" Do you need an answer to that question?

 

[Anthro]

Time is money, charge the person requiring prototype - especially if you are fearing that the product may not be used