[dotcomdesigning]

I have run into a big problem. I agreed to make small updates to a client's site. This is a client I have done updates for before and that has asked me to re-design their site in a few more months when they are ready. I forgot from the first time I did work for them that their site is written in PHP and I am not familiar with it at all. (I should mention that the company has a web person on staff who usually does small changes for them so I have a feeling he failed at this as well) Anyway, the point is, I quoted an hour of work and have now spent about 50 hours already trying to find all the bits and pieces. I have decided today that I am going to have to admit defeat because I just cannot find all the pieces. I hate going back on what I said and hate being in essence "beat" by this. Not to mention that I would still like to do their re-design but will probably lose their confidence after this.
2 questions:
1. Is PHP something I could learn enough to make small updates to a site within a few days?
2. If not, what is the best way to tell them I cannot do the updates while still leaving some hope of getting the re-design job?
Thanks!!!

[Turv]

May i ask, what kind of updates are they asking you to complete?

[bluesage]

if the updates required are not too complicated, and you are a fast learner and already have experience with programming then learning the basics of php needed could be possible in a few days.

[Do Gooder]

subcontract it.

[dotcomdesigning]

They want their wallpaper updated, a couple of pictures and their logo swapped with the new one. Seems simple but when you get into it, it means finding all the parts which I just am not able to do, taking out a picture that has a lot of mapping and replace it with several images to complete the mapping because the picture I'm replacing them with is much smaller, replacing the now blue background with white means recreating buttons with the blue background, shock wave items with the blue background, etc., etc.

[dotcomdesigning]

Problem with subcontracting is I'm a new designer and I would have to hire a more experienced one and therefore will lose money on it. Although, I guess maybe in the long run, it might be worth it not to lose them completely. I'll look into that, thanks!

[karmedic]

Considering you've put in 50x the quoted effort already a subcontractor should be a welcomed sight. Plus, subcontractors need not be visible to the client unless explicitly stated in the contract. This is an opportunity to:

1) complete the contract
2) maintain a relationship with the client
3) understand that writing code and figuring out someone else's code are two different things
4) investigate a potential job more thoroughly before quoting

That being said, I can certainly appreciate the energy behind being a new designer and the desire to learn. I can also appreciate not wanting to be beat by a task

[John Good]

Watching your portfolio, I doubt you have anything to do in the business and the best you can do for you client is to let him go.

That said, you should always be honest with a client.
If you underestimated the task or overestimated your skills, just tell them before they realize themselves.

[dotcomdesigning]

John Good, Sorry, I didn't understand your first sentence. What did you mean?
And FYI, I'm not sure why I gave the impression that I haven't been honest with the client.

[weldo]

it just sounds like you're out of your depth.

there's no shame in that - but if you're already 50 times over your estimate then you best just admit defeat ...

life goes on ...