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Are $5 Programmers Good?

by KimboJim
35 replies
I can't code for anything (except a little HTML and CSS) and I was thinking about making a program to sell. Now, I go on oDesk, and I see people that are paid just $5/hour to make programs, and I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with these coders.

Are they any good? I know that, like everything, this is really a case-by-case basis. One guy can be great while the other is terrible, and that happens in any industry, under any pay rate. I'm just asking for a general consensus.

I know that hiring a $5 writer is a terrible idea (why would I hire one if I can write it myself?) because you either get spun garbage, or garbage that looks spun. But, it doesn't seem like coding would be such a bad thing at such a low price.

So, has anyone hired these cheap programmers? I'm curious to know if this is like writing where paying more is actually worth it.
#good #programmers
  • Profile picture of the author WillMitchell
    Cheap programmers can do cheap work. If you need anything complicated in any fashion at all, you will have to search around for the right people.
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  • Profile picture of the author CodeBotics
    I'm a programmer, and I think it helps to pay more - it's the same as most things, where the better people will charge more. On top of that, better programmers will probably write more code and quicker, so I guess you could say it compares to writing in that sense.

    Having said that, some people who are starting out freelancing will charge small amounts and write a brilliant program and will slowly get better feedback and charge more and more.
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  • Profile picture of the author ex9to5guy
    depends on what you are getting. Some programmers will work cheap and fast depending on what you need
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  • Profile picture of the author bloggerd
    It all depends check there feedback see how long they have been on the site offering the service like codebotics said he could be an awsome coder but whats to build up a rapor first so offers his service at good price to build up his feedback quick so he can increase his prices quicker..
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  • Profile picture of the author wlasikiewicz
    A $5 programmer will most probably either steal your script or embed their own adverts within your scripts.
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    • Profile picture of the author GarrieWilson
      Originally Posted by wlasikiewicz View Post

      A $5 programmer will most probably either steal your script or embed their own adverts within your scripts.
      Thats BS.

      To the OP.

      It depends.

      I've had cheap programs be great and expensive ones be bad.

      Remember, $5 to some is a lot of money.

      Garrie
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  • Profile picture of the author Clark056
    Add a zero to that rate and you can find some good ones on People Per Hour. I had some nasty Wordpress update issues that a dude from the UK fixed for fifty. Not a bad price for a job nobody else could figure out how to fix.
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    • Profile picture of the author ahmar2
      To all those who are saying that they don't work.

      Why don't you people go to Odesk.com and see how many people (coders) have rate of less than $5 and more than 500 hours with 4.5+ feedback.

      You can brag about it here saying that they are not good. But truth is that $5/hr is a good amount for countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh. Being a coder myself I can assure you that you can get all type of coding work done for $5/hr including PHP, ASP etc.

      P.S : I don't work for $5 /hr now but I used to when I started and I have more than 100 websites to my name. So don't judge any freelancer by his rate.
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      • Profile picture of the author zuhaib1111
        why you write Pakistan and Bangladesh why not India ?
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  • Profile picture of the author TuNguyen
    Like most things in life, you get what you paid for...

    Originally Posted by KimboJim View Post

    I can't code for anything (except a little HTML and CSS) and I was thinking about making a program to sell. Now, I go on oDesk, and I see people that are paid just $5/hour to make programs, and I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with these coders.

    Are they any good? I know that, like everything, this is really a case-by-case basis. One guy can be great while the other is terrible, and that happens in any industry, under any pay rate. I'm just asking for a general consensus.

    I know that hiring a $5 writer is a terrible idea (why would I hire one if I can write it myself?) because you either get spun garbage, or garbage that looks spun. But, it doesn't seem like coding would be such a bad thing at such a low price.

    So, has anyone hired these cheap programmers? I'm curious to know if this is like writing where paying more is actually worth it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Josh Anderson
    Sadly the price you pay for programming is no indication of the qualifications of the programmer.

    If you have to ask this question... then you have bigger problems to worry about like security, standards, bugs, quality control, and not knowing what is going on with the code of your own software.

    The good news is that if you want to take a chance.. $5/hr is not much to risk... but you had better have a qualified programmer review the code before you deploy it.
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  • Profile picture of the author webpeon
    I've used, well I wouldn't say a $5/hr programmer but he was pretty damn cheap in comparison. I took a different approach to it though knowing I already knew how to code what I wanted to code, just needed another pair of hands. I spot tested 6 over a skype voice call and asked them to code on screen a simple program for me that included the overall of what I was looking for. It didn't take long to see who was looking for the information to code stuff and who was freely coding. There's reason people do things cheaper than others and it's rarely related to quality of work - hell some days I code for free, just for kicks and that doesn't make me a bad programmer.

    Here's my take.. IF its a quick one off job get someone with proven experience at if need be a higher price.. If it's a long term project you are hoping to get more for your buck from, pay someone experienced to screen 10 or so cheaper programmers for you, then pick the programmer they recommend from that.
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    • Profile picture of the author Josh Anderson
      webpeon hit it right on the head. Too bad most online business owners do not understand the importance of these principles.

      Originally Posted by webpeon View Post

      I've used, well I wouldn't say a $5/hr programmer but he was pretty damn cheap in comparison. I took a different approach to it though knowing I already knew how to code what I wanted to code, just needed another pair of hands. I spot tested 6 over a skype voice call and asked them to code on screen a simple program for me that included the overall of what I was looking for. It didn't take long to see who was looking for the information to code stuff and who was freely coding. There's reason people do things cheaper than others and it's rarely related to quality of work - hell some days I code for free, just for kicks and that doesn't make me a bad programmer.

      Here's my take.. IF its a quick one off job get someone with proven experience at if need be a higher price.. If it's a long term project you are hoping to get more for your buck from, pay someone experienced to screen 10 or so cheaper programmers for you, then pick the programmer they recommend from that.
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      • Profile picture of the author cjreynolds
        I worked for rentacoder.com for awhile as a programmer. When a coder first starts on one of these sites, it's really hard to get a decent paying gig - those usually go to the coders who have been there awhile and have good ratings on the site. So a guy just starting out will bid jobs for dirt cheap in order to get a few ratings under their belt. So sometimes you can find good programmers for cheap at these sites, but it can be hit-and-miss.

        You might want to pay a little more and get someone with a few ratings, if you want to be safer...
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    If you want high quality results... dont put your faith in a $5 programmer.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeff Burritt
    Banned
    I have personally used some cheap programmers. Both for websites and software. In each case I was not happy with the result, and I found the process of communication to be tiresome. That's my personal experience.

    But when I decided to spend more money, I found the quality of the product to be better, but it still took a lot of time communicating.

    So, unless you are well versed in the technical programming verbage and very clear on the type of software/website you want, I recommend finding a programmer which speaks your native language very well. And has many previous customers which also speak your language. It may even mean finding a programmer in your same country.

    Like in many things, communication is key. You may also want to check out the All in One outsourcing thread. http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...g-secrets.html
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  • Profile picture of the author Kragsig
    Price does not matter. Look at the portfolio and the ratings of the contractor.

    Let me give you a great advice:

    NEVER EVER do anything outside Odesk or Elance etc., even if the programmers gives you a great offer. I have been conned doing that

    Just an advice, I really want you to avoid
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  • Profile picture of the author fedor50
    Originally Posted by KimboJim View Post

    I can't code for anything (except a little HTML and CSS) and I was thinking about making a program to sell. Now, I go on oDesk, and I see people that are paid just $5/hour to make programs, and I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with these coders.

    Are they any good? I know that, like everything, this is really a case-by-case basis. One guy can be great while the other is terrible, and that happens in any industry, under any pay rate. I'm just asking for a general consensus.

    I know that hiring a $5 writer is a terrible idea (why would I hire one if I can write it myself?) because you either get spun garbage, or garbage that looks spun. But, it doesn't seem like coding would be such a bad thing at such a low price.

    So, has anyone hired these cheap programmers? I'm curious to know if this is like writing where paying more is actually worth it.
    Are $5 Dentists Good?
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    • Profile picture of the author GarrieWilson
      Originally Posted by fedor50 View Post

      Are $5 Dentists Good?
      In Cambodia they are.

      $5 is relative to the location and job.

      -g
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    • Profile picture of the author KimboJim
      Originally Posted by fedor50 View Post

      Are $5 Dentists Good?
      My $200 dentist isn't very good, but I think he gets lazy cause he's paid so much. He knows he's getting paid, and he knows that he's getting repeat customers.

      If the $5 dentist has all of his teeth, and they are relatively white, then I'd give him a chance. Oh, I'd also have to check for arthritis, cause I don't want his joints spasming when he's working in my mouth. He's hungry for money, and he wants me to come back.

      I think we all root for the small, scrappy guy, and I'd do that if I had the chance. But, I don't know of any $5 dentists. If you can find me one that doesn't require me to take a plane, then maybe we can put this to the test. I'm not going to spend hundreds or thousands to fly to a place where there's a $5 dentist, cause then it's just not worth it. It's like paying the airplane company 95% premium for my dental work, and that doesn't make sense.

      It's like paying 95% of a lawyer's fee to a taxi driver because he needs to drive you. Speaking of lawyers, I wonder how good a $5 lawyer would be. Hey, if he's anything like Lionel Hutz, then I'd also give him a chance.

      We need a professional version of Fiverr for lawyers, dentists, doctors and contractors. I wonder how well that would go over.
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  • Profile picture of the author AZMD
    You get what you pay for is common thought but if you run across the guy or gal that is trying build a good reputation in this world so they may later increase their worth, they might be inclined to do the job for free. And do a better job for you than some arrogant idiot charging big bucks.
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  • Profile picture of the author Walter Parrish
    Originally Posted by KimboJim View Post

    I can't code for anything (except a little HTML and CSS) and I was thinking about making a program to sell. Now, I go on oDesk, and I see people that are paid just $5/hour to make programs, and I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with these coders.

    Are they any good? I know that, like everything, this is really a case-by-case basis. One guy can be great while the other is terrible, and that happens in any industry, under any pay rate. I'm just asking for a general consensus.

    I know that hiring a $5 writer is a terrible idea (why would I hire one if I can write it myself?) because you either get spun garbage, or garbage that looks spun. But, it doesn't seem like coding would be such a bad thing at such a low price.

    So, has anyone hired these cheap programmers? I'm curious to know if this is like writing where paying more is actually worth it.
    Most programmers the last I checked are looking for at least 60 an hour. I really can't see anything good coming from a 5 buck programmer, unless your project is something simple they already have sitting on their harddrive.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    I doubt that I would hire a programmer that was $5/hr. I usually post a project on Elance and hire by the best feedback for the type of job I'm looking for, not on price alone.
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  • Profile picture of the author murphyslaw
    You can probably get $5/hour coders for simpler coding jobs. Ask for a sample of their work and check their feedback to be sure. During the interview, ask if they are capable coding what you want and how long it will take them to complete it. The more advanced tasks will need more experienced coders and those will definitely charge higher.
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  • Profile picture of the author interactivex
    You do get what you pay for, but not always.

    Sometimes a $50 programmer is equal to a $5 programmer, but not usually.

    Usually the $50 programmer is way better.

    So I would suggest just trying lot of people on small projects until you find someone good within your budget.
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  • Profile picture of the author DylanC
    Originally Posted by KimboJim View Post

    I can't code for anything (except a little HTML and CSS) and I was thinking about making a program to sell. Now, I go on oDesk, and I see people that are paid just $5/hour to make programs, and I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with these coders.

    Are they any good? I know that, like everything, this is really a case-by-case basis. One guy can be great while the other is terrible, and that happens in any industry, under any pay rate. I'm just asking for a general consensus.

    I know that hiring a $5 writer is a terrible idea (why would I hire one if I can write it myself?) because you either get spun garbage, or garbage that looks spun. But, it doesn't seem like coding would be such a bad thing at such a low price.

    So, has anyone hired these cheap programmers? I'm curious to know if this is like writing where paying more is actually worth it.
    I haven't really hired any programmers so I can't comment on that. But from my experience in hiring writers, I feel that there are various factors that can affect how good an employee is.

    Basically, you need to look at their samples and past work. You will also need a way to ensure that the work they do is not copied from somewhere else.

    Also, there are younger and qualified people from lower income countries that you can find.
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  • Profile picture of the author The Copy Warriors
    It's programming.

    It's a technical skill that takes years and years to master.

    Unless you want the most basic of the basic stuff done, expect to a pay lot more than that.
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  • Profile picture of the author eugenedm
    That will depend on the location of your programmer. If they're located in India, Bangladesh or Pakistan then you'll find programmers who charge for $5. But I doubt it if you can find someone in the US who'll only charge $5 to code for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author DesmondTan
    i believe if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys
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  • Profile picture of the author vCr8
    Basing on the rate alone is not a good basis at all. Check the location and feedback from other clients, perform interviews. So if it is $5/ hour and the contractor you hired is from a country, for example Philippines; the daily minimum wage is with a range of 400-500 pesos and the value of $1 is 40pesos it means that they earn around 200pesos per hour so they will easily reach the daily minimum with in 2 hours of working for you. I've met good programmers that accepts rates lower than this because they actually feel that they are over charging for their services because they convert
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  • Profile picture of the author Gav35
    It really doesn't matter what your paying them because $5 to some people is a lot of money.

    I have had some great workers from the philiphines work for $240 a month so 160 hours

    and there work has been great,but on the flip side I have paid big bux for one off jobs that

    where a complete waste of my time and money

    a great resource is online jobs.ph

    Regards Gavin
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  • Profile picture of the author wordpressmania
    Sometimes I think why people want to hire cheap guys and expect high quality?....
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  • Profile picture of the author bvna80
    you pay peanuts and you will get monkeys
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  • Profile picture of the author brettb
    $5 programmers are junk unless it's really basic work. I'd charge $30+ on oDesk but I'd get the work done in 10x the time.

    Look for expats in developing countries - they're usually the best ones to hire.
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