FAQ
This list will certainly grow over time. Already I've had some suggestions.
How long have you been in business?
I've been in the field since about 1998 or 1999. I began working as a consultant
about four years later after the company I was working for went under. This website
is relatively new (2011), however. Certainly it's been in the back of my mind for
some time but it was not until recently I felt sufficiently compelled to create
it.
How long have you been living in the area?
I moved to Gabriola from Saskatchewan in 2005. I spent some time working in Vancouver
but returned to the island (hopefully for good). City life never much agreed with
me. I can do it for a while, but have a crowd thing.
Do you do work for charities/not-for-profit organizations?
Yes, providing I have the time and the registered non-profit's efforts are philosphically
aligned with my beliefs. For example, as you may have guessed, I tend to be sympathic
to many environmental and wildlife preservation efforts. The best idea is to bounce
it off me. The worst I can say is "no."
What is an NDA?
An NDA or Non-Disclosure Agreement is a document that I sign preventing me legally
from disclosing or sharing information or materials provided me by you the client.
There are certain scenarios in which such an agreement is appropriate, even necessary.
Will you sign a non-disclosure agreement?
Providing it's coherant and reasonable, I don't now see what objection I might
have. I'm usually glad to do it.
What are your payment terms?
It depends on the amount of work. If it's small, 30 days. If it's larger, I usually
use a milestone payment system. I'll ask for some small fraction up front to cover
materials and other start-up costs. After that, payment is made at predetermined
intervals. In other words, I'm not paid for work I've not yet completed. This minimizes
risk (or perceived risk) to both parties. All of this is laid out in a contract
beforehand. The schedule itself is negotiable.