Hi
I am interested in knowing how others handle a client when they ask for source files either up front or after a project.
My rule of thumb is to charge 25% of total invoice to release source files because they might show guarded techniques on how their deliverable was constructed (materials, post production timelines etc), an obvious value to another person.
The release of source also suggests I am releasing my copyrights to the source. Another value to the client.
If you know up front, there is a different working process when you know that a client wants the source files. Neater folder structures, no network or hardcoded paths, layman naming of layers / objects and avoid using anything that you can not hand over like in house scripts, templates etc.
To avoid problems this is best written in up front before a project starts. This allows you to offer it as an extra service to the client if they want the source AND the deliverable, you can sell it as a highly valuable option.
If they ask for source after a project is delivered, you can point to your contract where it was listed as an extra. If you didn’t write that in then things can get messy quickly as clients often don’t understand the value in source files.
Do you have any advice on this? Any bad experiences?
Thanks
Geoff