How far do you/ would you travel for a contract?

[manclarky]

Obviously, rate and cost would be an issue but how far (and how long) would you travel for a contract?

Or would you stay over?

Personally, I hate the the mon-fri hotel thing...

I've done the M-F hotel for years and have no problem with it - wife loves it too!
I did a gig 66 miles from home so drove each way (80 mins) every day and that was crap - up and down the M6 isn't fun.
I finish early on Fri and am home in time to pick my daughter up from school which is great too.

Thank God for Virgin Traveller Club though - saves me a fortune in train fares!

[Graham]

I would consider pretty much anywhere in the country, but then I don't have anything tying me down to one particular location at the moment.
It really depends on your circumstances, i.e. if you have kids

[TheFaQQer]

I used to consider anywhere, but since having kids I tend to stick within 1 - 1.5 hours (ie. 2 - 3 hours) per day drive. Have not done the weekly B&B/Hotel thing since 2006.

I'd prefer that, but since there's not much for me round here, I don't have the choice most times.

Every time a role comes up in Manchester (for example) that would be near home, I'm usually in London. When that one finishes, there's nothing local.

At least I've had over a year of working from home without even seeing the client

[kingcook]

I'm doing the Monday to Friday thing right now. I'd prefer to go home every evening, but not possible due to the distances involved (we're talking 3.5 hours on train, each way).

Still, the alternative for me is pushing trolleys at Tesco. Can't wait for a bit of bench time!

My max daily commute would be 2 hours by train (e/w), and 1 hour by car (e/w).

[MarillionFan]

I'd prefer that, but since there's not much for me round here, I don't have the choice most times.

Every time a role comes up in Manchester (for example) that would be near home, I'm usually in London. When that one finishes, there's nothing local.

At least I've had over a year of working from home without even seeing the client

But that's dependent on skillset surely? I see loads of gigs I could do in Manchester and elsewhere.

[Pondlife]

I've worked as far away as Oz but that was only 2 months.

Did a stint of 2.5 weeks in US/Can + 1.5 weeks WFH for about 8 months.

Currently spend about 30% FR, 30% DE, 40% WFH.


If the rate was right I'd go anywhere.... Still happily married too.

[TheFaQQer]

But that's dependent on skillset surely? I see loads of gigs I could do in Manchester and elsewhere.

Yes.

I see loads of gigs in Manchester when I'm not looking. It's when I am looking that I find problems.

If I wanted to dumb down and cut rates, then I could do more locally (I guess), but I don't really want to do either.

[jmo21]

Yes.

I see loads of gigs in Manchester when I'm not looking. It's when I am looking that I find problems.

If I wanted to dumb down and cut rates, then I could do more locally (I guess), but I don't really want to do either.

How much more do rates need to be to make it worthwhile doing, for example, a London gig, over a lower rate Manchester one.

Do you have an average calculcation for hotel, travel down, food, local travel while there etc? There will be a break even point where it is exactly equivalent of a low local rate of course. How much more do you need on top to make it worth it?

[BolshieBastard]

Living in the north west, anything south of the west midlands is likely a no, no. The travel is just too awkward ie not good rail links from where I am, motorway a car park from B'ham, too far to travel.

Generally speaking, I'll travel up to 1hr 45mins each way as a daily commute. I'll stay over if I work in Newcastle upon Tyne (great night life, great people).

Besides that, imho there's no point having a rate of £350 - £400 a day if you are paying upto £80 a day in subsistance and lodgings. I dont want to live in one room either if Im working away from home.

[TestMangler]

Forty mins on a boat followed by either a 45 min drive or 45 min train journey, depending on which office I'm going to.

Nice !!