Private areas for users to download pdf's?

Hi,

I am trying to set up a site to help a family member out who runs a services company, they are out to tender and have been told that they are the cheapest, the only thing stopping them getting the work is that the other company have a “login” area where the client can then download their PDF files of project reports / works that have happened.

Now to start with this is just one client (may change in the future). Is there a quick fix I can do to get this working in the shortterm?

I have tried some of the plugins out there, some are either too techy, or just really confuse me and I can’t see how they link up together, or I couldn’t find the exact way to do it – changing the php etc? Where do I go to do this? Maybe that would help.

Any help – much appreciated!!!!