Hamilton,


        Depending on the size of the company, it's reputation, and the
type of project, a engineering man hour can go for $20 to $200+ US.  Many
independent small time guys get around $30/Hour if they are pretty
experienced.  This is from my expereinces, others will tell you
different I'm sure.

        It's also often true with independant guys that you will pay for
1 hour and get 2 hours of work if it's not something they are an expert
on.  I.E. they won't charge you for their learning curve.  But again this
varies with the person you are dealing with.

Ben,

Ben Wirz                For Microchip PIC Products including the Simm Stick
                        development system and the Easy PIC'n Book, as well
Wirz Electronics        as Motor Control, Polaroid Sonar Units, and more
blw2@cec.wustl.edu      Hobbyist Robotic & Electronic Supplies, visit:
                        http://cec.wustl.edu/~blw2/

On Tue, 10 Dec 1996, Hamilton Feltman wrote:

> At 10:15 AM 12/10/96 -0800, you wrote:
> >>        My question is what is the proper amount of MONEY for a device
> such as
> >> this?  Or any device?  Being new not to engineering but to the business
> >> side of things I'm really in need some comments or thoughts. Do you charge
> >> by hour or project?  Or importance?  Any "rough figures" would be
> >> appreciated.
> >
> >The proper amount of money is "cost of parts + cost of assembly + cost of
> >overhead + amortized development cost+profit". There are two numbers you
> really
> >need to know before you can accurately price your product, how many
> >per year you expect to sell, and how many total you expect to sell.
> >
>
>         My first post was not to clear.  'I' don't want to start a business!
> (yet). I just want to know a price For DEVOLOPMENT of a device (Schematics,
> prototype, and board layout).   There has got to be a somewhat round figure
> for the engineering skills to build projects for "Another Company."  What
> do you charge them? Of course there are many variables, just needed a
> starting point. Sorry if this thread is getting out of line.
>
>         -Hamilton
>