How much to charge for JSP/PHP development? $125/hr?

[trisho.]

Hey folks. I'm writing a design proposal for a potential client and I'm pricing out the design & writing as a flat fee but the dev part will be by the hour. The project is:

+ design 3 landing pages
+ determine keywords for a paid search campaign
+ marketing copy for the landing pages
+ marketing strategy for the site relaunch in January 2010
+ coding the landing pages - I'm assuming XHTML/CSS but it may include either JSP or ASP to match their new site templates

So, for the last one...I'm blanking on how much JSP/ASP coding runs. Most likely $100 - $125/hr. I need to stick this in the proposal and deliver it tomorrow. What are your normal rates?

Thanks all.

EDIT: I should add that if it's just the XHTML/CSS, I'll end up doing it and then hand it over to the client's dev folks to integrate into the new site. I'm guessing this is what will most likely happen but I want to cover myself in case they ask my consorts to do the JSP/ASP dev, just in case.

[M A V I C]

It depends on where you're at. All three of those have different prices as well.

ASP - anyone writing new apps in this isn't very bright (they should be using ASP.NET) They shouldn't bill more than about $15/hr because chances are it'll take then 10x as long to do it as someone who knows what they're doing. A really, really good ASP.NET developer can command $150/hr.

JSP - This one is tough. Most applications don't make a huge use of JSP, plus developers aren't as easy to find. This would range anywhere from $100-300/hr depending on the developer.

PHP - Trying to bill this out at more than $75/hr is tough when good developers can be found on craigslist for around $50/hr.

You should bundle project management and development planning separately at a higher rate if you're going to do PHP. Development is that expensive, but doing it right is.

[trisho.]

Thanks for those ranges M A V I C. I finally was able to speak with the product manager and he said they'll be basing the site on PHP for anything server based but surmised the landing pages should be HTML (and of course no Flash).

For the PHP price you stated, is that in Seattle area that folks can be found for $50/hr on CL also? I'm wondering if it holds at $75 - $85/hr here or no in NYC. I'm thinking it does.

Thanks again.

[AAA]

If you can pull off $125, then more power to you.
I would think $80 would be about what you might actually pocket.

[M A V I C]

trisho. wrote:
For the PHP price you stated, is that in Seattle area that folks can be found for $50/hr on CL also? I'm wondering if it holds at $75 - $85/hr here or no in NYC. I'm thinking it does.

Yes. But do they have to be local? Most short contract php devs know they're competing nationally, if not internationally.

I should add, $50 is the subcontract rate. If they're working directly with a client then it would be at least $65 for a good one, if not closer to $100.

[mattkime]

I don't get out of bed for less than a cool mil

[trisho.]

BTW, Thanks guys for the input. I put $90/hr for programming, design or copywriting changes. Fingers crossed on winning the contract.