FAQ

Who is this for?

Anyone who works with data and needs help making sense of it. My clients range from small business owners with a spreadsheet to enterprise teams at organizations like Yale, the Pentagon, and the FAA. If you have data and a question, I can probably help.

What makes you different from other Tableau consultants?

Speed, depth, and philosophy. I’ve been in data visualization for 20+ years and in Tableau for 11. I’ve been certified on every version since version 8. But more importantly, I believe data should speak for itself — my job is to make it visible, not to tell you what to think about it. I build tools that let you explore and discover your own answers.

Do you work with people outside the U.S.?

Yes. Everything is done remotely — email, screen share, cloud file sharing. Time zones are the only constraint, and we can usually work around those.

How do I pay?

I’ll send you an invoice after we agree on scope and price. Payment is due before work begins for fixed-price projects. I accept all major payment methods.

What if I’m not happy with the result?

I’ll make it right. Every project includes a round of revisions. If what I deliver doesn’t answer your question or meet the scope we agreed on, I’ll fix it at no additional cost.

What kinds of Tableau problems can you help with?

Pretty much anything: LOD expressions, table calculations, performance optimization, dashboard design, data connections, parameter actions, formatting, publishing issues, and general “how do I do this?” questions. If it’s in Tableau, I’ve probably solved it before.

Do I need to send you my workbook?

It helps, but it’s not always necessary. For calculation or formula questions, a screenshot and description is often enough. For performance or layout issues, sending the workbook (or a packaged workbook .twbx) makes the diagnosis much faster.

What if my data is confidential?

Remove or anonymize any sensitive fields before sharing. I can also generate sample data that mimics your structure so I can solve the problem without ever seeing your real data. Please do not send Social Security numbers, HIPAA-protected data, passwords, or financial account numbers.

How fast will I get my answer?

Depends on the tier: Standard is within 1 week ($79), Priority is within 48 hours ($149), and Urgent is within 12 hours ($249). Most Standard requests are answered within 2-3 days.

What do I actually get back?

A clear answer: the fix, an explanation of why it works, and recommendations for avoiding the issue in the future. If I modified your workbook, you’ll get the updated file. If it was a calculation question, you’ll get the formula and the logic behind it.

What if my problem is bigger than a quick fix?

I’ll tell you. If I look at your request and realize it’s really a dashboard rebuild or a data architecture issue, I’ll let you know and we can scope it as a See Your Data project instead. You’ll never be charged for something I didn’t agree to upfront.

What kind of data do you work with?

Anything tabular: Excel spreadsheets, CSV files, Google Sheets, database exports, text files. If it has rows and columns, I can work with it. I can also connect directly to databases, APIs, and cloud platforms if your project requires it.

Do I need to know Tableau to use the result?

No. I can deliver in whatever format works for you: an interactive Tableau Public link (free, works in any browser), a packaged Tableau workbook (.twbx), PDF reports, or static image exports. If you don’t have Tableau, the Public link is the way to go — it’s free and shareable.

How do I send you my data?

Upload your file to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive and share the link with me via email. Please do not email files directly as attachments — cloud links are safer and easier to manage. And always remove or anonymize sensitive data before sharing.

How much does it cost?

Data Snapshot (one question, one viz) starts at $149 and takes 1-2 business days. Dashboard Build (multi-view interactive dashboard) is $499 and takes 3-5 business days. Custom projects are scoped individually — just tell me what you need and I’ll give you a clear price before any work begins.

What if I don’t know what question to ask?

That’s totally fine — and more common than you’d think. Send me your data and tell me what decisions you’re trying to make. I’ll explore the data, find the patterns, and come back with visualizations that help you see what’s going on. Sometimes the best insights come from questions you didn’t know to ask.

Can I get changes after you deliver?

Yes. Every project includes a round of revisions. If you want to adjust colors, change a filter, add a view, or rethink the layout, that’s included. Additional rounds of revisions beyond the first are billed at a fair hourly rate, agreed to in advance.

jarod.vierstra@chartmydata.com