Contract ambiguous about hours

[BrilloPad]

One city client still pays a daily rate for ANY number of hours worked. Very odd....

[The Spartan]

I prefer working the professional day as it enables me to leave early on a Friday, though if it does state 8 hours a day it does give you more cause to bill for time over and above should you work more than 8 hours

[northernladuk]

Trouble is, that is quite likely to lose the contract. The client has a budget, which is usually sort of fixed, and some work that needs done, which is supposed to be specified but is unknown to a greater or lesser degree. What he wants is for that work to be done in that budget.

Rubbish. He is more likely to lose it for being a workshy slacker contractor, nothing to do with budget and work done.

You've obviously had it easy. I don't think I've had a contract where I am not expected to work 8 hours a day for about 15 years! (london banking). Although usually on the contract it is just described as a 'professional day'.

This for me. Negotiate your times and arrangements with your client but don't go in from the start looking like a 8 hour man.

[bobspud]

It says "In any week, the subcontractor shall charge <daily rate> per day, for a minimum period of at least 8 hours per day"

Tell them to change the contract to hourly, then I'm sure they'll change their mind, or advise them that you are prepared to work 8 hours/day, but will bill/per hour thereafter.

+1

[The Spartan]

I once did a 2 day contract for a former employer for a data migration and in there it stated:

"£XXX per 8 hour day"

I ended up working 24 hrs in total and billed them accordingly for each extra hour and was quids in when they paid me

[psychocandy]

Must admit I'm not keen on this professional day thing. If the clients OK then its ok but I've heard some stories from other contractor friends.

Would be even less keen on what the OP is saying. Isnt it basically saying you've got to do at least 8 hours even more if we want but you wont get flexibility from us in return? Not cool.

If I work extra thats fine, but then I dont expect anyone to moan if I leave at 3pm one day (6 hour day). They get more off me than 8 hours in the long run but if they start playing funny buggers then it'll stop.

Luckily, my client is pretty good and has never ever told me when to come and go.

(Note, an hour or two extra a day is fine by me but my recent 18 hour stint was a bit much - will be taking this as a day in lieu or something).

[The Spartan]

WHS, I'm also lucky enough to have a flexible client

When we do releases here we often work an extra 3-4 hrs which I see as a courtesy, if they did ever decide to act up about me leaving early on Fridays I wouldn't be so accommodating that's for sure.

[bobspud]

I once did a 2 day contract for a former employer for a data migration and in there it stated:

"£XXX per 8 hour day"

I ended up working 24 hrs in total and billed them accordingly for each extra hour and was quids in when they paid me

Thats how I have always worked. If a client looks at me and says no I want you to do 14 hours for the price of 8 I just tell them I will agree as soon as the company solicitors agree to the same terms. Seriously why is the IT profession such a bunch of wet socks? Lawyers, Solicitors & Accountancy firms charge heavily for their knowledge. We are the ultimate knowledge profession so why oh why are so many of you happy to give creative time away for free?

[The Spartan]

It's about time to grow some brass balls! lol

[northernladuk]

It's about time to grow some kahunas! lol

FTFY