Working away from home

[Cooperinliverp00l]

I have never been lucky to get a contract near to home yet so at least a couple of night each week for the past 4 years i have stayed over. LIke most on here if the client is paying then i go to what ever hotel is nearest to work and on their prefered list. If i'm funding the stay then i normally stay in family run B&B's. The best ones are those that have a little bar that you can sit out till late and night chatting with owners. THe once when i was staying over at my regular spot they were having a party and invited me to join in. it was only a BBQ but still felt obliged to sample the free food and drink.

I normally find as well if you stay with the same place they normally start and do you a discount for bulk booking e.t.c.

[Billy Pilgrim]

If TheirCo is picking up the expense then I try to stay in Holiday Inn/Crown Plaza etc (for the bonus points and facilities)

If MyCo is picking up the bill then I go a lot more downmarket.

If possible I will try to get out of the hustle and bustle and into the sticks where I can take myself off for a run/go to the driving range at nights to pass a bit of time.

Oh, and somewhere with access to Sky TV is important too - watching a match kills a few spare hours of a night time

[Muttley08]

Best advice - but a playstation / wii etc....

Unless you fancy working all your hours Mon-Thurs, and can get them to agree to let you have Friday off...

[gadgetman]

I am on my second contract away from home. In both I have taken on a rented room/house share. This gives you flexibility to choose location and you can leave all your stuff there.

Before I found the rooms I stayed in a local TravelLodge and I hated packing everything up at the end of the week and lugging it home.

Its nice to be able to cook if I want to and I have all mod con's at hand.

These rooms cost me £340 and £350 / month all in. You can pay more or less depending on how nice you want the place to be and of course, your location.

Be aware if its not "all in" you will have bills, council tax and possibly water rates to add on to any price quoted.

Funnily enough I expect to be offered a contract in the north west any time now...

[~Craig~]

I rent a serviced apartment where possible - I want more flexibility than a hotel or B&B (like cooking for myself, a washing machine, leaving my stuff over the weekends etc).

Some are more expensive than a hotel, though, it has to be said. I got a great deal in Edinburgh when I was up there - worked out at £35 a night in a two bed flat.

there are some uber nice serviced apartments out there, especially in Manchester. They don't seem too expensive either

I think I would slit my wrists if I had to stay at a travelodge long-term...Luckilly (or not) I've always comuted.

[Mr Crosby]

I've worked away for the last 3 years, cant beat it.

[~Craig~]

I've worked away for the last 3 years, cant beat it.

what do peoples other half's think of you working away all the time?

[krankyd]

what do peoples other half's think of you working away all the time?

I've had no complaints from my neighbour - he often sees me off waving and smiling. I hadn't wondered until now....

[gadgetman]

Too busy spending the dosh to notice

[Sausage Surprise]

what do peoples other half's think of you working away all the time?

Since my wife and kids hate me, it works well for both parties

I used to stay here until recently

http://www.thestables.uk.com/

Self catering stables and a free broadband connection in every room.

Cracking village 5 mins walk away with 2 indians, two chinese, a thai, a mexican, a belgian restaurant, a fish and chip shop and a kebab shop.
Pubs sold great real ales - quiz night on a monday.

Everything a contractor needs.