Estimating cost of database for client

He has: 8 posts

Joined: Jan 2004

Hi
I'm very new to database, such as mysql and php interaction, but have a great hosting company which provides myadmin and several preconfigured php modules and scripts. I need to provide an estimate to a local municipality to create a multi searchable database containing just about every detail about the surrounding towns. It will be a huge underatking and the problem is I just don't know how to price it. Can anyone help? Any resources? Is it easier to price by a "per record" or "per item/per table" type of thing? Thanks for your help!!

Ken LaVoie - owner and administrator
www.centralmainehost.com
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Suzanne's picture

She has: 5,507 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

When planning database work, you need to include designing the database, plotting the functions and interactions, working out a test model for getting user testing, integrating the design into the application (hint: templates and CSS will be your friend). The actual data shouldn't be hard to put it if you have it ahead of time. If you're including an admin area where they can input the data, HAVE THEM INPUT THE DATA.

I'm sorry, I can't help with actual costing, I just estimate based on the complexity of the pieces as they are broken down and then hourly on top of the estimate as I have never worked on an online application that hasn't fallen prey to scope creep, data issues, et cetera.

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