Scripts: Updating a script query from one to two fields.
The original request to an expert aggregation site went something like this: I need to change the database query in an existing PHP program from one field to two fields. How much will it cost.?
Short answer: this is a super simple change–20 minutes or less, less than $20.
Long answer: I was originally going to title this post, “How to make website maintenance more expensive and difficult than it has to be.” The answer? Post an RFP for this simple, simple update and then wade through all of the responses.
Doing this update might take an hour, but it will probably take a lot less. But you’ve just added all of this overhead to the process. The expert aggregation site has to take their cut, you have to go through a couple of dozen responses and the developer you end up with will have to pitch themselves to you as the ideal candidate–all of which takes time and adds costs.
If you’re going through the process of switching developers, this may not be a bad thing.
However, you have to consider the overhead cost of all this work when deciding to shop the job around.
Your best bet is to find someone you trust and stick with them. You’ll both come out ahead in the long run.