Format for Long-Term Collaboration with a Freelancer

Format for Long-Term Collaboration with a Freelancer

Core Principles:

1. Results, Not Reports: We value your working output, not paperwork or red tape. What gets submitted is the finished product—working code, a build, an implemented feature—something of practical value.

2. Transparency and Predictability: Time and complexity estimates are agreed upon before work begins, based on a clear technical specification (brief).

3. Payment for Results and Expertise: We pay for the agreed scope of work. Your efficiency (including through the use of AI) is encouraged.

4. Respect for Personal Time: You can take breaks of any length, simply by giving prior notice.

5. The Efficiency Principle: The main technical criterion is minimal yet sufficient implementation complexity. "Less code, fewer problems."

Task Workflow

1. Task Request & Confirmation

· You receive a detailed brief (technical specification) with a preliminary complexity estimate.

· Within 1-3 business days (this is a response window, not time for in-depth unpaid analysis), you communicate:

  · Whether you are ready to take on the task or not.

  · You confirm the estimate or briefly request clarifications.

· Goal: To quickly align on the task without requiring free, in-depth analysis.

2. Execution and Delivery

· Small Task (< 40 hours): Completed from start to finish, and the final result is submitted for review.

· Large Task (≥ 40 hours): Broken down into stages. Every Friday, the current work artifact (not a report) is submitted for monitoring and potential adjustment. The process is iterative, with planned pauses for review.

· Payment Philosophy: Payment is made weekly for time spent. The agreed-upon estimate is the basis for payment. If you complete the work faster (using AI or expertise) while meeting quality criteria—you receive the full payment. The time saved is your bonus.

3. Review and New Tasks

· After review, amendments or clarifications to the brief are possible.

· Once a task is accepted, you receive the next one.

Important Conditions and Flexibility

· Payment Guarantee: Payment is guaranteed for all completed work at the agreed-upon rate.

· Project Focus: All tasks are for a single project.

· Pragmatic Approach to Solutions: We are for using ready-made, proven solutions if they are reliable and fit the task. If you see that the required functionality is already well-implemented in an existing plugin (e.g., on Fab.com), feel free to propose its use. Our goal is an effective result, not writing code for its own sake. Saving time by integrating a ready-made module is welcomed and aligns with the "less code, fewer problems" principle.

· Availability Flexibility (Right to Rest):

  · You can pause collaboration for any duration (a week, a month, or longer). Simply notify us: "I will be unavailable from [date] to [date]. Ready to start new tasks from [date]."

  · During your unavailability, tasks may be assigned to another contractor. This is not a termination of collaboration.

  · Upon your return, you will resume receiving tasks in the usual order, based on the project's current workload.

· Continuation of Collaboration: The format is long-term and continues as long as the quality of work and working principles satisfy both parties.

Summary: This is a format for pragmatists, where results, efficiency, and common sense are valued. We encourage the use of any tools (AI, ready-made plugins, your expertise) to achieve the optimal solution in the shortest realistic time. You get clear tasks, a payment guarantee, and respect for your personal time and professional choice of tools.