5. Can an estimate of time and/or expense be provided during the planning and preparation phase?
Any estimate in this business needs to start with the caveat “if something can go wrong, it will.” Based on this simple but often true statement, providing any estimate of time and/or expense can result in a problem down the line.
If a guide is needed, the following can be used:
Cost: All work is on a time and material basis, plus reasonable expenses. We are happy to report progress as we proceed; including periodic reports of how much time has been incurred, so that you or your client can keep track of what is being spent.
Travel: We bill time and expenses relating to travel.
Planning and Preparation: Depending on the size, complexity, and location of the work, this can be accomplished in as little as 2 hours or take as much as a week.
Acquisition: Acquiring a system is fairly straight forward. If we acquire the images on a target site, we bill time for the time we are on site. If we acquire the single image in our lab, the time ranges between 45 minutes and 8 hours depending on the size of the hard drive, antiquity of the drive, issues with the hard drive, and other unforeseen events.