Where can I find someone to make scripting changes

[jhtyler]

I run a fairly major, content driven, movie site. But, I've run into a problem.

A couple of years ago I hired someone to put together a content management system for us and php script everything on the site.

My knowledge pretty much begins and ends with HTML... in other words I'm a php idiot.

Now the guy who designed it has vanished, and we've grown to the point that we need major changes made to the system he designed in order to continue our growth.

Where can I go to find someone who will do it... at a reasonable price?

I've had terrible luck in the past hiring people to do scripting work for me. They promise to do work and then never do it, or do shoddy work and demand to be paid. Or demand payment in advance (which I'm not doing) and then never do any work... or up the agree upon price when they're halfway through. I'm not looking forward to finding someone new.

Any suggestions?

[celgins]

Well, you could always search the online freelance sites for programmers. But you have to ask yourself, "Can this be a telecommute project, or do I need someone onsite?"

Either way, many programmers who freelance and work offsite will require payment upfront.

If you can hire someone offsite, do a Google search for, "freelance programmers" and you will find tons of sites offering them.

[jhtyler]

Offsite is what I've used in the past...

But again, I'm just tired of getting ripped off.

I need a better business bureau for offsite programmers. :\

[spacerace]

I've used freelancers.net with good success in the past. I approach several people whose skill sets meet the criteria and check their rates and availabilities.

Of the ones that reply and sound ok I then send them a requirements spec, and get a costing off them together with their payment terms. Most only ask for 10-20% up front.

Another good idea is to let them perform a smaller specific task initially so you have the chance to see how they work, check they deliver good working code etc. They get the chnace to check you pay them ok. Once you get used to working with each other they often drop the up front payments anyway and revert to plain invoicing.

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