HI. I took on a small programming job. It's in an area (flash) that is not really my expertise, but for various reasons the client could only offer the work to me, so I thought I would try to get it done for them. I made it clear it's not really my area but that I thought I could do it. I said I'd do it for £400. There was no explicit deadline. The job was agreed through a series of emails. However now I've come to it, I find that I do not have the skills to do it and have told them I can't do it. They are creating a fuss, saying I've wasted their time and that I should try to sort out an alternative. Am I still responsible? What's the legal situation? Best, George
Firstly I am no legal expert! I would have thought your obligations would depend on what was said in the email exchanges. I'm also unsure what you mean when you say they could only offer the work to you - are you tied in in some way? I would say try to find an amicable way to sort this if possible, being bad mouthed can cost you a lot more in new business than £400. I've also learned that clients will make allowances for the odd error or misjudgement such as this, it seems you were trying to be helpful after all, but it's how you deal with such problems that you will be remembered for. Can you find a few subcontractors that do know flash that would be willing to quote you? That way you can at least find out how far off you were. If you can find a (good and reliable!) subby reasonable enough cost-wise you may still be able to bring this job in on budget? If not you then know how far off you were and can go back to the client with more information. If it were me I'd apologise, say I was trying to be helpful at the time, overestimated what I could do, but have now found someone to do the work; however it will cost £x more than I originally quoted, because of X, Y & Z, and in the light of wanting a good longer term relationship I'll project manage this for free.
Shove it! I am still seething from the topic I just posted about prisoner junkies getting compensation for being forced into "cold turkey" so my answer here may be harsher than usual! If your client knew you were doing them a favour then tell them to get stuffed. We all make mistakes and if they are banging on about something as petty as this do you really want them as clients? One of the best feelings is telling a client to sod off Only any good if they are unlikely to give you more work though so agree with Rizzo (you are a sensible lass!) that a bit of crawling and suggesting you project manage the work may be what is needed here. Alternatively plonk a spec for the flash on find a freelancer or whatever sites are in existence today and get some chappie in India to build it for £100 and you can pocket the difference!
Hi triple-G-raham, Sounds like you need a contract specialist Have personally used and can recommend: Contract lawyer (UK) Roger Sinclair Egos Ltd HTH L
