Web developers..?

[blueocto]

Is it normal to charge to build a cms... then charge again for either amendments, or an annual fee to use the cms?

It seems a bit ludacris, as it sounds liek im paying to have a cms built for me to maint my site, but then paying again to use the cms/have someone change it for me?

DOes that make sense??!?!!

[LeadMagnet]

Well, a custom-built CMS should be paid for of course.
If you need the developer to make ammendments, then yes, why wouldn't they charge? Work takes time and time is money. If the CMS is just so crap that you can't make any adjustments yourself, then reconsider the developer's offer. Shop around.
An annual fee should really only be paid if you think the CMS is worth it, that is, if it's better than any free/open source CMS. That should include regular software updates and tech support when you need it.

[aaronr79]

I guess what's key is if it's been signed off or not.

For example, if I'm developing something I will have a revision process built into the contract - usually two or three rounds of revisions. Basically I would show you where I am towards the end of the development and give you the opportunity to comment and make amends, and then I'm obliged to do them included in my original price. I think that's a fair way of doing things.

However, if we sign it off and then you come back to me a few months down the line with some changes then I'm going to charge you for that.