Home-based contracting possible/What to specialise in?

[TheFaQQer]

So you treated a perfectly reasonable and politely worded question with absolute contempt.

Would you have the cojones to do that in real life?

"No. Next." is a traditional response on CUK.

[administrator]

"No. Next." is a traditional response on CUK.

Yeah but no winking please

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

I work almost exclusively from home. I don't do on site work and make it very clear to clients that while I'm happy to work on site occasionally if necessary that it's not the norm. I don't really consider myself a contractor as such, more of a consultant/freelancer and I work on short to medium term projects generally.

It doesn't have the same level of security as long term contracting, but it keeps things interesting. I don't use agencies - most of my work comes to me through my website or through word of mouth, so it's a nice position to be in. I charge a decent rate at the higher end of the scale and turned over 6 figures last year.

So yes, it's possible. But probably not so much for bum on seat code monkey work.

[Pondlife]

As others have said you need to have a reputation for delivering and have the client's confidence.

Otherwise, if it can be done from home, it can be done from India. i.e. paying buttons.

[nomadd]

Would you have the cojones to do that in real life?

Yes.

Next.

Sockie?

Wink.

[TestMangler]

Yes, it's possible.

I do a 'traditional' in the office type job (test management) from home 95% of this contract.

Same rate as in the office.

So...

Yes,

Next

Sockie

Wink

[nomadd]

Yes, it's possible.

I do a 'traditional' in the office type job (test management) from home 95% of this contract.

Same rate as in the office.

Correct. And we've all been there (me several times over in the last near three decades of contracting.)

But as others have pointed out, it's the exception rather than the rule. Most clients expect bums on seats in the office, unfortunately.

The OP seemed to be of the belief that there was some magic fairy-dust combination of skills that would allow him to endlessly: "..work as a contractor from home AND get decent rates?" and "...I would love to work from home for various personal reasons (no commute, kids, I like the countryside..." My reply was "no", as that kind of contracting career doesn't exist (unless you are exceptionally lucky - and if you were in that position, you'd already know it.)

And with a post count of just 1, the OP did have a Ring of Sockie(tm) about him/her. EDIT: And his low post-count friend deemed my reply absolutely contemptuous and then "winked" at me. You've no idea how hurt and insulted I feel. (wink: )

Next.

[TestMangler]

Correct. And we've all been there (me several times over in the last near three decades of contracting.)

But as others have pointed out, it's the exception rather than the rule. Most clients expect bums on seats in the office, unfortunately.

The OP seemed to be of the belief that there was some magic fairy-dust combination of skills that would allow him to endlessly: "..work as a contractor from home AND get decent rates?" and "...I would love to work from home for various personal reasons (no commute, kids, I like the countryside..." My reply was "no", that kind of contracting career doesn't exist (unless you are exceptionally lucky - and if you were in that position, you'd already know it. )

And with a post count of 1, the OP did have a Ring of Sockie(tm) about him/her (wink: )

Not for me it's not. OK ? Happy now ? Want to tell me more about where I do my contracts from ?

Sockie

Next

Wink

[nomadd]

Want to tell me more about where I do my contracts from ?

Kindergarten?

As I clearly stated: "unless you are exceptionally lucky - and if you were in that position, you'd already know it." You seem to be, and therefore you know it. But that still doesn't make it the norm.

Sockie

Next

Wink. Wink.

[d000hg]

As others have said you need to have a reputation for delivering and have the client's confidence.

Otherwise, if it can be done from home, it can be done from India. i.e. paying buttons.

Not quite the same thing though if they're looking for only one contractor rather than a team of people.