Hi,

I am developing an Excel-based modelling and costing tool for a civil engineering firm and am having some difficultly in setting a price for the work.

Strictly speaking I am not a programmer (I'm really a research scientist) but I have a lot of knowledge in this particular area and a good knowledge of Excel/VBA and so have been asked, as an external consultant, to develop a spreadsheet for this company.

Problem is I don't really know what the going rate for spreadsheet application development is. I estimate it will take between 4-6 weeks to complete the application and have so far been offered £1,500 (US$2,700) for it.

Does this sound reasonable? I think it doesn't sound like a lot considering the amount of money some programers seem to charge. I've been told that £40 an hour for a programmer is not unusual and so this would work out at about £1,500 a week, or in my case 4-6 weeks would be £6000-9000 (£11,000-$16,000). But the company I have been contracted by are adament that £1,500 is the most they are willing to pay.

Does anyone have any advice? Should I ask for more? What would you people charge to develop and Excel app. that would take 4-6 weeks to complete?

Cheers
-Rob