I’m facing some serious issues in my current contract position. What started as “I’m willing to work hard, full-time for 4 months to deal with these serious security flaws” has been whittled down. What I originally quoted as a project plan was 570 hours at an hourly rate. On the other hand the contract manager quoted the end-client 463 hours at a fixed price. I was also asked to add “1 day/month for catch-up/bugs, 1 hour/month client meeting, and attend the weekly 1 hour team meeting”. That’s an additional 8+4+1=13 hours per month and 52 hours over 4 months not included in the plan/quote.
Mistakes I’ve made here:
- Allowing a contract manager to act as a middleman.
- Not double-checking the math.
- Allowing the contract manager to alter our payment terms mid-contract.
- Not including client review & feedback in the plan thinking the contract manager and client could manage themselves.
What I will do differently
In the future I will never again work as a sub-contractor. If a “contract manager” wishes to hire me here’s how it’ll work:
- I’ll provide a project plan & quote to the client.
- If necessary that quote will include the “finders fee” for the contract manager.
- The client will sign a contract with me directly.
- If there are obligations between the contract manager and me then a contact will be setup to outline those.
- Payments will be collected by me and I will pay the “finders fee” to the contract manager.
- Each new project or new client is a new contract.
- I’ll set my rate for each contract manager/client based on their ability to manage themselves.
- I must be included in all communication to catch any mistakes or over-promises.