Contract options for consultancy work

[Spoiler]

I'm working on an opportunity to provide consultancy work direct to a supplier. Initially the gig will be average 2 days a week and ongoing. It will be working on different client projects. I'll bill time as T&M.

They've asked me to provide an appropriate contract. Now looking into what is most appropriate.

I've grabbed the IPSE direct contract - seems to cover the relevant areas, maybe more than is necessary for this gig. In much detail.

What I'm unsure of with this is how to word the schedule of work. I can stick down 2 days a week deliverable but it could be more or less. It's also not a defined deliverable for a specific end client either. It could be different work for different end clients. I'd rather not have to do a schedule for each piece of work.

Thought about using an existing agency contract but I guess that will probably be not to dissimilar to the IPSE one.

Also thought about using just a set of T&Cs to cover the engagement but perhaps that doesn't cover the engagement adequately.

Just wondering what others have used in a similar situation.

(As I have the IPSE contract I did look at posting in their forum, but it looked far too scary to inhabit ;-)

[LondonManc]

Minimum retainer of one day per week whether used or not?

Holiday/unavailability of you and/or substitution options?

[Spoiler]

Minimum retainer of one day per week whether used or not?

Holiday/unavailability of you and/or substitution options?

No retainer. Just a proposal to provide continuous work, typically 2 days a week. If I'm not delivering days, I'll not bill them.

There's no requirement for specific holiday or unavailability. This work will be performed alongside other separate work I'm delivering.

As for substitutions - it will be my company being engaged, I will leave my name off. So I can assign whatever resources are available to deliver the work.

I just dug out an email conversion I had with a guy at another company about something similar - and they advised to get a standard set of T&Cs, along with an NDA where necessary.

Anyone use a T&C template to deliver work??

[northernladuk]

How do you know the IPSE one is too much? Are you a contract specialist? Nothing of what you have said sounds any different to your out of a box contractor so I'd say the IPSE one will be a pretty good start. Get a contract review from QDOS and they will advise what you do and don't need from your requirements.

[Spoiler]

How do you know the IPSE one is too much? Are you a contract specialist? Nothing of what you have said sounds any different to your out of a box contractor so I'd say the IPSE one will be a pretty good start. Get a contract review from QDOS and they will advise what you do and don't need from your requirements.

Sure. I'd guess a contract lawyer may say the IPSE one covers the basics, but could be expanded. Personally I could've died of boredom whilst reading it.

QDOS sounds a good shout. The main issue I had with it was how to word the schedule correctly. I'm sure they could offer a suggestion.

I'd like a 2 line contract "I'll do some work. You pay me", but that's a little too simplistic !

[ruasonid]

I'd like a 2 line contract "I'll do some work. You pay me", but that's a little too simplistic !

Ensure that your payment terms are clear in the contract. Going direct has its pitfalls.

[northernladuk]

I'd like a 2 line contract "I'll do some work. You pay me", but that's a little too simplistic !

It is also likely to make you look like a disguised permie so to be avoided at all costs.

Why can't you just list the deliverables expected from this piece of work? If it is just a bum on a seat not knowing what your deliverables are and you just do what the client wants then all this is a bit hypothetical. The role and its working practices are inside

[malvolio]

How do you know the IPSE one is too much? Are you a contract specialist? Nothing of what you have said sounds any different to your out of a box contractor so I'd say the IPSE one will be a pretty good start. Get a contract review from QDOS and they will advise what you do and don't need from your requirements.

On a contact written by Lawspeed and Roger Sinclair for that specific purpose...? Really...?

The IPSE contracts are basically templates and can be modified to suit provided you stick to the attached commentary. They don't need further review. As the OP can easily verify if he phones IPSE up and asks them.

[northernladuk]

On a contact written by Lawspeed and Roger Sinclair for that specific purpose...? Really...?

The IPSE contracts are basically templates and can be modified to suit provided you stick to the attached commentary. They don't need further review. As the OP can easily verify if he phones IPSE up and asks them.

Yep.... every time.... regardless. Anything else wouldn't be good diligence.

Verify IPSE's templates.... by ringing IPSE?

A little biased maybe?

[malvolio]

Yep.... every time.... regardless. Anything else wouldn't be good diligence.

Verify IPSE's templates.... by ringing IPSE?

A little biased maybe?

IPSE didn't write them. They commissioned serious experts to draft them to suit a range of typical scenarios and they've stood up for many years now. If you want to get them reviewed, perhaps use a contract lawyer rather than a taxation one: I hear Roger Sinclair is very good...