>Reading another post, the question was raised (at least in my mind), "What constitutes due diligence?".
>
>If a client comes to me with a certain task, "Create a custom piece of software", is it my job as a consultant to go out and do research to find a third-party tool that does this job? Shouldn't they have done that already before they came to me? If they wanted me to research something for them, then that would be the contracted task not the creation of something new.

If the contract is already let, the point is moot - your obligations are spelled out in the contract.

IMO the key is to ask the question, "Have you researched existing off-the-shelf solutions?" before the contract is let. This takes no time at all and lets the client know you're looking out for their best interests.

I consider this sound business practice and one mark of a professional.