I am a JavaScript programmer and am planning to take Freelance projects related to JavaScript effects for the web. Recently a potential client approached me to create a JavaScript effect for his website. The effect was quite complex and it was not generic. That is, every time the design of the website would change the JavaScript code would have to be modified.Due to this nature of the code, I told the client that I will not be able to provide maintenance for this project. I will be happy to modify the code in the future but I will be doing the cost estimation each time there is a modification. The client was not happy with this. I thought of calculating the probability of the modifications the client may ask per year and multiply the initial estimate by that so that the maintenance becomes free. For example, if the cost of the initial project is $100 and I assume that the client will ask me to modify the code 4 times a year I would charge him $ (100 + 4*100). But I think this would be way too much and the client would deny to pay such a high amount.I have just started freelancing and the cost estimation part related to maintenance confuses me a lot. What is a good way to estimate maintenance cost. Also suggestions on maintenance terms like what should be the scope would be useful.
How to decide maintenance cost/terms for freelance work?
freelancing;maintenance;pricing
Setting expectations is EVERYTHING!I think you were right on when you told them up front that the maintenence was going to be extra and everytime that the site changed, the code you created would have to be changed as well.  I think it is reasonable to come up with a standard per hour rate for development and maintenence.  They could even be different - that is up to you and how you value your time.  Make sure the client knows that up front as well as keeping the expectations for future maintenence - so when they call you in the future, they know how much it will cost per hour.  In this case, you may have an idea of how much time it will take to make adjustments as their site changes - even better.Bottom line - set your pricing, set the expectations up front.  I think you are on the right path.  I do think it is un-reasonable for your client to think that ongoing maintenence is included in the first estimate - they are business people too.