PHP Freelanced Coding?

[futureX]

Hey guys, not sure if i'm in the right forum here, but I need a little advice on a project i'm about to embark on, I am in need of a fairly complex database and PHP/Perl interface to display and input this data on my webpages, I have used freelancers in the past but not really in this capacity and most of the freelancers have been personal friends or onlnie "buddies". And generally paid no more than $40.

Now I need something a little more complex and gauranteed within a time frame, I need to know if I can get what I need done on a budget of around $300, the project should comprise no more than about 5 tables (have yet to work the tables and keys out) but the thing that will make it complex is the versitility I need when outputting this data, i need to be able to output it in many different ways and also interlock things like harware reviews and software ratings accross tables.

Does this sound too complex for a $300 mark (needed within a week) or should i come back when I have more info? Sorry to be a burden if so :)

I'll have some more details when I have met with my partners later today.

Thanks in advance for any input.

[ZenArcher]

In my 20 years experience, it seems to me that you've got a >$3000 project, multi-month project. I would suggest looking into some Open Source/commercial application that could modified to suit.

Perhaps something like the inexpensive phpmydirectory? It has ratings and reviews and excellent styling options.

See also, ReviewPost PHP Pro. Both are seasoned applications with ongoing support--and in the sub-$500 budget.

[madpenguin2]

From your brief description, I have to agree. I've been freelancing for nearly 3 years. This is a much more ambitious project then $300 and 7 days would allow for.

[dvduval]

Writing EXCELLENT specs will be very important to your getting the job done to your satisfaction the first time, and even then you will probably need to plan on more than a week, because there are always small things you did not count on. I'll bet it could be done for less than $500, but you would need to hand it to the coder on a silver platter. :)

[JamShady]

I'm with dvduval, it can be done. There are a lot of ways to cut corners, i.e. less stringent error checking, basic html rather than something fancy looking.

The problem I'm finding is that your description is very vague. Sure you have 5 tables, but what do they represent, and what fields do they have? If they represent products and need to have complex insertion/update/delete scripts, then it gets complicated.