She just finished her first PCB layout contract job, $2K for a couple of days work on a 2-sided board. That's the project where I charged the startup $1 to design the product and pseudocode the data acq part of the software for them. These guys are used to working way, way up the abstraction stack (ie, back-end web apps) and are a bit bemused by banging bits with realtime budgets.
For engineering that's a normal range if he is good. But not at all for layout. If you need a good layouter at a normal price range let me know.
Careful with discounting but it's up to the guy to watch out. If he's also working for gvt contract companies they (and then he) may be in a real pickle if he discounts the rate for you guys but not for them. At least if the auditors find out.
I know, it's insane. Even my CPA charges $250.
--
Regards, Joerg
http://www.analogconsultants.com/
"gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam.
Use another domain or send PM.
SF prices. My chip layout guy (Columbus, OH) charges $100/hour. ...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, CTO | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |
I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.
For board layout that would be way high. Even chip layout was a lot cheaper although my last one dates back to the last millenium. Looks like my next one will be done in China.
--
Regards, Joerg
http://www.analogconsultants.com/
"gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam.
Use another domain or send PM.
Virtually ALL my processing is now done in China. And my next likely big project is in Hong Kong, with funding from Dubai World ;-) ...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, CTO | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |
I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.
Mine will probably even be designed there on the transistor- and macro-level after I finish the architecture. Would have loved to keep it in the US (Arizona, in particular) but that'll be out of my hands.
Might want to think about a retainer on this one :-)
formatting link
--
Regards, Joerg
http://www.analogconsultants.com/
"gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam.
Use another domain or send PM.
If it's analog, you're risking design by theoreticians (at best) with no hands-on (so'dering :-) experience.
After it's a monumental failure give me a call. (*)
(*) Often happens... I quote, customer says too high, goes to low bidder. One-two years later, comes back in a panic... I point out inflation applies to my pricing ;-)
Recent 6 weeks quicky project (only 6 cells): Customer is astonished at the detail in my design review... all conducted via GoToMeeting (New Zealand ;-)
I typically ask for 1/3 to 1/2 up front. ...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, CTO | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |
I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.
Actually I've seen the work of this guy. Top notch, from what I could tell in the short time I had back then. And oh, that one worked right off the bat :-)
BT. For one potential client that comeuppance came too late, their creditors were already banging down their doors :-(
Can you do a presentation screen share as an invited participant or do you have to pay those $49/month to do that?
Difficult for me since I work by the hour. In my line of work the effort is often unpredictable until I am headlong (meaning many hours) into their schematics, Gerbers and so on. So far, knock on wood, my uncollectables due to insolvency total less than $200. One big ticket case was resolved by another company buying up the assets. After I put the liquidator attorney on written notice that I'd otherwise assume IP ownership and sell. The liquidator had me ticked off by saying that it's his call whether I am important or not, so ... Oh, did that speed up the decision making process, he must have placed a panic call to the potential buyer :-)
--
Regards, Joerg
http://www.analogconsultants.com/
"gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam.
Use another domain or send PM.
Yep. My rule, the client always hosts the meeting, then he assigns me as the "presenter".
In risky hourly situations I'd ask for a retainer.
Also my rule... you default, I own the IP. I've had a couple of cases like that where the liquidator became very cooperative when he realized.
When Bowmar went belly-up in 1975 I was owed a big chunk of money (~$6K) for hourly work. A year later a bankruptcy judge ruled that "contractors" were employees as far as the bankruptcy pay-out was concerned... and I got 100% of money owed ;-)
You might keep that case in mind in the event you get whacked over hourly pay. ...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, CTO | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |
I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.
I had a call back from the attorney and right afterwards from the potential buyer the day they received my certified letter. Then the buyer insisted on flying up for signature. I told him that wasn't required, that it was just the liquidator I did not trust. But he really didn't want to risk it. Very nice guy and my wife cooked a gourmet lunch for us.
IIRC it is or has been duked out in Delaware some time. It was in 2007 but no idea what the judge decided, or whether the case is through. Technically they should put contract and employed work at the same priority level but it's probably not that fair in case law.
--
Regards, Joerg
http://www.analogconsultants.com/
"gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam.
Use another domain or send PM.
--
| James E.Thompson, CTO | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |
I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.
Sure, I don't remember their cut (I wasn't supposed to know) but it was significant. When my "handler" first called, he asked what I wanted for the job. I really wasn't prepared for the question (was at a bar ;), so took the minimum I would even think about for full time employment, and doubled it.
So? I was busy for several days. treating a cut on my leg, driving to Gainsville to get three prescriptions the VA didn't refill in time, and working to remove & replace the base cabinet on my kitchen sink. Staying alive is more important than replying to you. I was off the group from some time Sunday.
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