I want to get paid for my programming skills.  How does Coder For Rent work?

Coder For Rent allows you to freely bid on projects that need the expertise that you posess.  The process is explained from a Coder's perspective at the Coder's Main Page.

What does this service cost?

At this time, Coder For Rent's basic services are completely FREE!  In the future, there may be optional project management tools and account upgrades that will be available at a charge, but there are no plans to charge for creating Basic Projects, bidding on Basic Projects, or accepting bids on Basic Projects.  We also do not plan to charge a commission on Basic Projects.

What is the preferred payment method for a project and how do the different payment methods affect me as a coder?

From our perspective, it isn't that important.  We charge no fees for processing a certified check or money order, but the project will not be allowed to start until the check or money order has cleared the banks.  If the buyer wishes to add money to their account with a credit card, there is a 5% surcharge to cover the expenses associated with that process.  All monies collected are held in an escrow account and will not be released until the buyer agrees that the project is finished or the project has been cancelled according to the Coder For Rent Project Agreement.

How and when do I get paid?

After the buyer accepts your bid, his or her money is held in an escrow account.  After you deliver the product and they acknowledge that they received everything, you will be credited with the escrow amount (minus 5% for credit card transactions).  Your money will remain in your account until you tell us to send you a check or pay you using PayPal (fees associated with PayPal may apply). 

I am a U.S. coder. How are IRS 1099 forms handled? 

In compliance with Internal Revenue Service rules, all U.S. coders who make $600 or more in a year receive an IRS 1099 form from Coder For Rent. Per IRS rules, a copy is also sent to the IRS.

According to the rules found in the Coder For Rent Rules and Regulation, if either party feels that they have been treated unjustly, it is up to them to take all necessary courses of action against the other party.  Coder For Rent is not responsible for your project or your bid.  There are no guarantees, implied or stated, that a buyer will accept your bid or the work that you have done, even if you feel that it has been completed properly.  If a party wants Coder For Rent to arbitrate the settlement, then a signed, formal request must be sent to us. Arbitration will not commence without this document.  Upon receiving the signed document, the other party is notified that the arbitration has been requested and a meeting time will be set up to review both sides of the project. All decisions that Coder For Rent makes in an arbitration are to be considered a final judgement.  The fee for arbitration depends on the size of the project and is according to the following scale*:

1. Adding an image or logo to your profile will make you look more professional
2. Creating a resume for potential buyers to review is always helpful
3. Asking questions that show interest in the project and show that you have a skill set that meets the needs of the project is a good way to get their attention
4. Add your skill set to your profile

First, you should always read the reviews that other coders have left about the buyer.  This is valuable information that may tell you how well the buyer communicates their needs and how technical they are.

Second, the buyer pays for the project as soon as your bid is accepted. In this way, you can be sure that if you complete the project as described and in the time allowed, you will be satisfied with the outcome of the project.

Third, in extreme cases, arbitration can be requested from Coder For Rent.  This does not guarantee that you will get the outcome you are looking for, but it does give you another option if you feel that you have been treated unjustly.  See the fee table and information above for more information.

How is my financial and personal information kept safe?

State of the art technologies, including 128 bit SSL encryption, is used to project all important information.  Our databases and systems are secured according to industry leading technical guides to ensure that your information doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

Can non-US users use PayPal?

Yes, PayPal works with multiple currencies from around the world.  PayPal does however charge a conversion fee for most transactions outside of the United States.

I don't understand how I communicate with the buyer and/or get clarification on the specs?

A project's specification can be built using the Coder For Rent SpecBuilder TM (Fees may apply). Usually, this is plenty of information for completing the project.  If there is something in the SpecBuilder information that you need clarification on, you may post a comment in the Spec itself at the corresponding area.  The request for information will be emailed to the Buyer and they will evaluate your request and update the Spec.  As always, you will be informed if the Spec changes in any way.

If the project does not use SpecBuilder, then the buyer will be responsible for getting you the proper information per your request in order to get the project completed.  Expected documents can include, but are not limited to a technical design, workflow diagram, architectural diagram, screen shots, sketches, and more.