A nice problem to have

[bunn]

I've just been asked to quote for work on a new website for a local tourist attraction - a terraced walled garden surrounding the ruins of a 16th century vicarage.

This is the kind of thing I'd really love to do and I think I'd make a good job of it too. Much easier to work on stuff you are interested in.

Thing is, I'm absolutely up to my eyeballs in already booked work. I worked this weekend, I'm working evenings, I took very little holiday over Christmas and yet it was still more holiday than I've had on months - things are, in fact, getting out of hand. I'd promised myself that I wouldn't take on anything new till at least my 2 biggest existing projects were done and live.

This one was recommended by a satisfied client, so I kind of don't want to disappoint the client, and I really fancy doing the job. But... Arg!

Comments

[the-marquis.livejournal.com]

How soon would the quote commit you to work? Could you offer the quote, thus satisfying your client's reccommendation, but with a caveat/covering note stating that you're about to take some holiday so could they give you an idea of how long they'd be willing to wait?

[(Anonymous)]

Yep, that was the solution that sprang to my mind (except, don't say "because i'm about to take some holiday", say "because I am booked up until xxx") - Neuromancer

[the-marquis.livejournal.com]

I don't see it as a problem to tell the truth about your having holiday time, but if Neuromancer thinks it may make people think ill of you then cover it with "other commitments"

[bunn.livejournal.com]

tragically, I've been using this strategy for some time already, so I am also stacked up for some months ahead. :-((