Reply to: Charge Day Rate but hour many hours per day ?

[NickFitz]

Current contract states 7.5 hours, with less than 4 hours counting as a half day. Previous contracts have also said 7.5 hours if they've specified anything at all.

When working away from home I've often agreed with clients that I can arrive late on Monday and leave early on Friday, working longer days midweek to get things to 37.5 hours for the week.

If there's a legitimate reason to work more hours, I'll do it though, within reason. I've ended up leaving central London nearer 7pm than 1pm on a Friday (at no extra charge) because I'd promised the client the thing would be ready to launch on Monday morning, and that's what it took to make that happen.

[Boney M]

7.5 hours currently for me but have had both 7 and 8 hours

[PerfectStorm]

7.5-8 - longer on a favours basis when required of course.

Don't "do what everyone else does", they're only doing it for the same reason. Break the mould!

[LondonManc]

Enough hours to get the job done. If you've been engaged on a day rate, give them a day's work. Whether you fit that in across 7 or 12 hours is up to you so long as you do it in a professional manner and its within their operating parameters.

[d000hg]

Mine doesn't say either. I assumed 9-5:30 since that's standard hours at most places. Turned out everyone works 9-5:30 with 30 min lunch. So I just did that. Then on Friday everyone went home an hour early. I didn't know what to do so I just stay an extra hour on Fridays for consistency.

Or stay until 4:35 to maintain the appearance of consistency.

[NibblyPig]

Mine doesn't say either. I assumed 9-5:30 since that's standard hours at most places. Turned out everyone works 9-5:30 with 30 min lunch. So I just did that. Then on Friday everyone went home an hour early. I didn't know what to do so I just stay an extra hour on Fridays for consistency.

[d000hg]

If you're paid per day then if you work 1 minute you get the full day's pay. Don't be surprised if the client isn't happy when you try this.

Best to just do what everybody else does. Do a decent amount of work and it'll be fine.

Yeah - if you are always the last to arrive and/or the first to leave, people will notice and it's sensible not to upset people if you can easily avoid it.

[VectraMan]

If you're paid per day then if you work 1 minute you get the full day's pay. Don't be surprised if the client isn't happy when you try this.

Best to just do what everybody else does. Do a decent amount of work and it'll be fine.

[BlasterBates]

Restroom break boss?

Initial contract not a good idea to walk out the door at 3 in the afternoon or come rolling in at 11:00 without saying anything.

Makes a bad impression.

[expat]

If there was such thing as a standard day I don't think we'd be discussing this lol. I'd say 8 hours is typical but it does vary so doesn't do any harm to clarify with the client rather than assuming. Some of them can be very fussy and some don't give a damn as long as you get the job done.

Exactly! If you have to ask, there is no answer.

One counter-answer is that all too often, if the project is in such mire that the permies are doing 11-hour days and they still have to get in a contractor to help them out, they may not be happy if the contractor doesn't do the same. It's your call what you do about that but "just do 8-hour days and keep the client happy" may not be an available option.

[PurpleGorilla]

Just try and keep fixed hours, and if you need a couple of hours off then agree with the PM.

Restroom break boss?

[northernladuk]

If there was such thing as a standard day I don't think we'd be discussing this lol. I'd say 8 hours is typical but it does vary so doesn't do any harm to clarify with the client rather than assuming. Some of them can be very fussy and some don't give a damn as long as you get the job done.

[BlasterBates]

8 hour day is standard. Usually as a contractor you can work 8 hours a day as you almost certainly won't be involved in production issues, at least not in your initial contract.

Just try and keep fixed hours, and if you need a couple of hours off then agree with the PM.

[PurpleGorilla]

Thanks PG.

Is that 8 hours billable ? so 40 hours per week billable ?

Up to 40 hours would be billable yes. Just bill 5 days up to 40 hours. If it was 36 hours, still bill 5 days. Simples.

The key things are:

1. Set your own terms - so you don't pull 12hr days

2. If you work 6 hrs - that's a day. Just get the work done and don't take the piss. Be fair, and the client should be fair.

[eddie1507]

Thanks PG.

Is that 8 hours billable ? so 40 hours per week billable ?

Half a day up to 4hrs.

Full day up to 8hrs.

HTH