Free peek


The first hour or so is free, to allow for a no-obligation look at the problem and a general discussion of your needs. If the problem is solved in that time, then it’s no charge. More detailed requirements analysis, problem descriptions and eventual solutions can be done on either on a fixed rate or hourly basis.

Fixed Price Contracts


I tend to prefer fixed price contracts. If you have a particular problem you want solved, and you don’t want to be surprised by a large hourly bill, then I will quote you a fixed price to complete that task or solve that problem. The price charged will never exceed that quote, even if there are unexpected problems.

Time Based Rates


Sometimes, however, you just want someone for a few hours without a lot of fuss and bother. In that case we offer the following fixed rates:

Base Rate:

        $50 per hour plus travel and expenses.

Advance Booking Rates:

        $300 per business day (8 hrs with lunch break)
        $1200 per business week (5 days)
        further discounts available

Reasonable overtime is generally charged at the base rate. Unreasonable overtime will be charged at between 1.5x to 3x the base rate, depending on the circumstances.

All rates in Canadian dollars. We can also quote and accept payment in Euro, British Pound Sterling, and Japanese Yen.


Research Time


Unlike some companies, you do not pay for research designed to fill in the background to the solution to your problem.

If I take the contract, it means that I am putting myself forward as an expert in that domain. This means that it is assumed I have a vast store of experience in the field. If I don’t have that experience, then it is my responsibility to learn on my own time, not yours. This ensures that you always get the best answer to your problem, and you don’t have to worry that you’re getting charged extra because I might not be up to date.

There are certain circumstances where research time will be charged. You will be notified up front if this is the case. We can then either come up with a fixed price contract, or set an upper limit to the amount of research that will be charged.

Guarantees


In general, work can be inexpensive, quick, or of excellent quality. In my experience I’ve found that I can only guarantee any combination of two of those three elements.

All solutions to your problems will be:
        Affordable
        Reliable
        Appropriate