Very short term accommodation - back of van?

[Paddy]

Looks like I'll be doing a short term site visit to a client whose nearest hotels are pricey, with it being in the middle of nowhere.

I don't fancy paying ~£100/night for little more than a bed, and as I've done some work for them before (from home) I don't think (though yet to check) they'll agree to up my rate accordingly or swallow the expenses.

Thinking of borrowing my dad's van and bunking down in it for the week. Airbed, sleeping bag, pot noodles, kettle (that plugs into cigarette lighter), big bottle of water, lots of deodorant (or use any onsite shower facility).

Other alternative is to start early, finish late, and kip at the desk.

Anyone tried anything similar?

Google stealth campervan

[TestMangler]

Looks like I'll be doing a short term site visit to a client whose nearest hotels are pricey, with it being in the middle of nowhere.

I don't fancy paying ~£100/night for little more than a bed, and as I've done some work for them before (from home) I don't think (though yet to check) they'll agree to up my rate accordingly or swallow the expenses.

Thinking of borrowing my dad's van and bunking down in it for the week. Airbed, sleeping bag, pot noodles, kettle (that plugs into cigarette lighter), big bottle of water, lots of deodorant (or use any onsite shower facility).

Other alternative is to start early, finish late, and kip at the desk.

Anyone tried anything similar?

Seriously, I worked with a Test Manager at Clerical Medical in Bristol a few years ago, who did just that ! Constant source of amusement to the rest of us, who were on good rate, travel time !, travel and hotel expenses (especially considering I had to get taxi, ferry, taxi, flight, taxi to get there !!). Turns out, this chap, who was not a 'native' of the UK, had taken the job at a crap rate with no X's, so lived in a transit van in a service station and drove in every morning in his house/van.

He got fired when he asked for help writing a test strategy and was given a template. He then sent the unedited template to all the stakeholders and asked them to sign it off

At that point, him and his little house/van headed off back to Bradford.

[PAH]

FFS, where are you going to be working?

In the proverbial middle of nowhere. Nearest town is ~15 miles but the roads are crappy so takes ~1 hour commute to client site.

I will have a word about having two rates, one for onsite and one for working from home. Otherwise will swallow the expensive week's visit in the hope there's plenty of work to offset it while working from home afterwards.

Just thought there may be some enterprising contractors who have found ways of not getting fleeced for little more than a bed for the night.

[DimPrawn]

In the proverbial middle of nowhere. Nearest town is ~15 miles but the roads are crappy so takes ~1 hour commute to client site.

I will have a word about having two rates, one for onsite and one for working from home. Otherwise will swallow the expensive week's visit in the hope there's plenty of work to offset it while working from home afterwards.

Just thought there may be some enterprising contractors who have found ways of not getting fleeced for little more than a bed for the night.

Living the high life.

Jeez, things are becoming sad around here.

[Churchill]

In the proverbial middle of nowhere. Nearest town is ~15 miles but the roads are crappy so takes ~1 hour commute to client site.

I will have a word about having two rates, one for onsite and one for working from home. Otherwise will swallow the expensive week's visit in the hope there's plenty of work to offset it while working from home afterwards.

Just thought there may be some enterprising contractors who have found ways of not getting fleeced for little more than a bed for the night.

A friendly coaching inn?

A B&B?

Smoothhound is your friend!

[Churchill]

Personally I never leave home without Relais & Châteaux - Luxury hotels and gourmet restaurants

[MarillionFan]

Personally I never leave home without Relais & Châteaux - Luxury hotels and gourmet restaurants

I normally pack a spare pair of pants first, but each to their own.

[PAH]

lived in a transit van in a service station and drove in every morning in his house/van.

I've heard about contractors kipping in camper vans on site, or camping at nearby sites that have the usual shower/toilet block facilities.

Don't fancy camping with the weather about to go -20, and don't have access to a tent anyway.

[Churchill]

I normally pack a spare pair of pants first, but each to their own.

Why?

Have creditcard will travel.

[bobspud]

I worked with a chap that had a Motor home. he used to come down to London in it on a Sunday night and stay the week at the nearest caravan club site... He was on good rates but preferred to keep his cash, although I don't know how much he saved when you take fuel into consideration...