Clientco has asked for me to work abroad

[BA to the Stars]

Check for the hotels, airlines, etc. Do they have a loyalty scheme e.g. Holiday Inn Rewards so that you may be able to get some free nights, travel elsewhere to take the other half to without it costing.

[Spacecadet]

Oh she wants to come (with her mates) leaving the kids behind at home. I keep telling her it won't be a holiday for me but inexplicably it hasn't registered with her yet!

That will be a pain in the arse for you, especially if you're going over there to get through back on track you'll probably be working too many hours to go entertaining in the evenings. The last thing you want after a 12 hour day is the company of a bunch of (probably already tipsy) women giving you ear ache
Tell her to sort out her own holidays

[Glazza]

Nevermind money. Talk to your missus first.

Oh she wants to come (with her mates) leaving the kids behind at home. I keep telling her it won't be a holiday for me but inexplicably it hasn't registered with her yet!

[JamJarST]

It will be a 6 day week (possibly 7 given the pressure on the project) so my feeling at the moment is to invoice for 7 days per week whether I work on the 7th or not (with clientco permission of course)

Yeah, I would feel the same, I would also be looking to bill for the travelling time too.

[Glazza]

Will you be working weekends too? If not will you be able to invoice for the time anyway?

It will be a 6 day week (possibly 7 given the pressure on the project) so my feeling at the moment is to invoice for 7 days per week whether I work on the 7th or not (with clientco permission of course)

[Pondlife]

Nevermind money. Talk to your missus first.

[JamJarST]

The project is coming under pressure so to keep it on track the clientco has asked me to work abroad for 2-3 week stretches with the 3rd party development supplier - note, not on clientco site. There is nothing in the contract that covers this. I am quite excited about it and comfortable that the clientco will meet all the expenses. It is inconvenient though (family etc) so should I be looking for compensation above the normal contracted rates? Has anyone had experience of this? How did you play it? Involve the agency or talk direct with the clientco?

Will you be working weekends too? If not will you be able to invoice for the time anyway?

[northernladuk]

Very important to note is to make sure YOU pay everything and then charge it back to the client so it doesn't look like you are claiming expenses. Flights and hotels maybe ok as the client may have rates you can't meet etc but don't expense meals and incidentals back to him. Invoice it to him and you keep the reciepts.

You make a bit of money on the VAT if you are on FRS.

You could also get yourself a credit card with cashback or hotel rewards or something as well. Double that with the hotel chains reward points you can rack it up.

You enjoy the travelling, for me that is the compensation for missed home time. Not everyday you get the chance to go. I didn't pester the client for extra cash. I just made sure I got out and enjoyed the time while I was away.

[TestMangler]

The project is coming under pressure so to keep it on track the clientco has asked me to work abroad for 2-3 week stretches with the 3rd party development supplier - note, not on clientco site. There is nothing in the contract that covers this. I am quite excited about it and comfortable that the clientco will meet all the expenses. It is inconvenient though (family etc) so should I be looking for compensation above the normal contracted rates? Has anyone had experience of this? How did you play it? Involve the agency or talk direct with the clientco?

Had a similar (but not the same) instance where I took a contract in Edinburgh and was asked to go to Bristol almost full time. In the end (as the contract was day rated) I negotiated for client co to pay all expenses (ferries, taxis and flights) plus I invoiced for one weekend day per week (not worked) as compensation for extra travelling time.

I did not involve the agency and invoiced the expenses directly to the client.

[Wobblyheed]

Was never a problem when I've done it in the past. Same rate but Client picks up the tab for hotels, travel and meals. Thereby saving you paying for hotels/B&B and weekly travel to Client Co....everyone's a winner!

If you're worried about inconveniencing your family then you shouldn't be contracting.

[Glazza]

The project is coming under pressure so to keep it on track the clientco has asked me to work abroad for 2-3 week stretches with the 3rd party development supplier - note, not on clientco site. There is nothing in the contract that covers this. I am quite excited about it and comfortable that the clientco will meet all the expenses. It is inconvenient though (family etc) so should I be looking for compensation above the normal contracted rates? Has anyone had experience of this? How did you play it? Involve the agency or talk direct with the clientco?