Offer a project to another developer

when you have too much work

[mgm_03]

A nice problem to have .... I'm looking forward to it. I met someone who might be a good complement to my skill set for any given project . Also, he seems capable to do site design on his own. If I find myself unable to take on another project because of my current workload, I could offer him the biz ...question is what is a fair deal? Presumably, I get a percentage of the total cost for sending a client his way... what's reasonable?

Thanks

[rogerd]

Do you want to just throw the work his way, or do you want to subcontract it to him? The latter would give you more control and would let you keep the client. OTOH, if the client has little future potential and the project isn't particularly lucrative, just washing your hands of it may make the most sense. Be careful, of course, not to strengthen a competitor who will try to steal your other clients.

My guess on appropriate cut:

Sales commission (you refer, he does everything): 10% - 25%

Subcontract (you take the job, he does all the work): 25% - 60%

Needless to say, there is a lot of variation depending on how involved you are, the pricing, etc. Don't get locked into a low hourly rate with the client early in the process. I've had contractors who wouldn't work for less than a specific hourly rate, and in those cases I had to raise the rate to the customer to allow sufficient margin. In cases where I gave the customer a number early on, it created a margin squeeze if the subcontractor (or the eventual provider) was more expensive than anticipated.

[mgm_03]

great advice ...thanks very much!

[Leosghost]

subcontract ...agree your overall design idea with the customer ( this used to be the "real meaning" of graphic designer )farm out the details and the stuff to make it work ..take 40% ..also take the heat off the other guy ..( just because you aren't gonna be the one doing the work don't let the customer be unreasonable )..