Releasing Part Files To Clients
Releasing Part Files To Clients
(OP)
Here's a question that came up recently. I'm an independent consultant/designer. Recently one of clients asked if he could have the actual part files from my CAD program, in addition to the IGES and STL files I planned on giving him.
My general instinct is no not deliver the part files, as this contains all the intelligence (i.e. my skill and knowhow laid out in the design tree, etc.) of the part. With the part file, he could go to another designer for changes if he so desired. Thus after all the hard work of developing the part, future revisions could be done by some other (read: cheaper) individual.
On the one hand, I consider my know-how in developing a clean, well organized design tree a "trade secret". On the other hand, this *is* a "work for hire" in that I'm contracting my services to him for a fee.
My question is then, what do some of you do in this situation? What are customary "deliverables" - does it include all work product such as part files, or just final files?
Thank you for your thoughts!
Regards,
Andy
My general instinct is no not deliver the part files, as this contains all the intelligence (i.e. my skill and knowhow laid out in the design tree, etc.) of the part. With the part file, he could go to another designer for changes if he so desired. Thus after all the hard work of developing the part, future revisions could be done by some other (read: cheaper) individual.
On the one hand, I consider my know-how in developing a clean, well organized design tree a "trade secret". On the other hand, this *is* a "work for hire" in that I'm contracting my services to him for a fee.
My question is then, what do some of you do in this situation? What are customary "deliverables" - does it include all work product such as part files, or just final files?
Thank you for your thoughts!
Regards,
Andy





RE: Releasing Part Files To Clients
If he chooses to go somewhere less expensive, that is the client's choice, and you should not punish him for going that route (wouldn't YOU go somewhere less expensive if you had the opportunity?). That also means you don't need to reward him either by parting with files that were not contracted for.
RE: Releasing Part Files To Clients
Regards,
Andy
RE: Releasing Part Files To Clients
I see no harm in mentioning to the client that parting with the part files is against YOUR standard practice, but you'll gladly do so for the right price. If your prices are significantly higher than the competition, than the client may not be out of line asking for something more... you've already mentioned him going somewhere less expensive, which leads me to believe you believe your own prices are a bit on the high side.
He's a client, so work with him. Mention the issue in plain, non-confrontational language and I'm sure he'll be able to appreciate your situation. Nothing says he has to sign the contract with you, so it gives him the option.
RE: Releasing Part Files To Clients
I don't think my prices are on the high side - indeed, I'm doing what I think is "cut rate" to develop this new client - nevertheless, this cut rate is still twice what I've seen people posting on some of the job sites.
On some of those sites I see people posting rates as low as $40 an hour. How on earth do people survive as freelancers at such low rates?! Are they living with their parents?!?! And are these people giving up their part files too?
Ugh.
Andy
RE: Releasing Part Files To Clients
So, at $40/hr, they may actually be just paying the bills, but it gets them a new client and some great word of mouth advertising.
RE: Releasing Part Files To Clients
Andy
RE: Releasing Part Files To Clients
RE: Releasing Part Files To Clients
Andy
RE: Releasing Part Files To Clients
As for "cut rate" pricing, it may be part timers who only want to supplement another income source, or they may advertise a cheap hourly rate but then propose twice the hours to do the job.
Interstingly, a presentation that I saw on the web (I think for gov't contracting) claimed that being too cheap was not an advantage. Technical people tend to throw out the highest and lowest prices and gravitate toward mean prices. Of course, enough cut rate prices drives the mean down....