Reply to: If you travel to client do you always charge T+S on top of day rate?

[jamesbrown]

Yes, plus a % on top of that for being fecked to arrange the T&S

[LondonManc]

The bottom line is that the T&S of a daily commute should be reflected in the daily rate that you agree with the client; it's the done thing within IT contracting.

[northernladuk]

Why wouldn't you?

[Old Greg]

Why would you charge your client expenses to get to your clients?

Why wouldn't you?

[northernladuk]

Why would you charge your client expenses to get to your clients? Surely that's your business. You look at the day rate, if it's acceptable you take it. If it's not you ask for the rate you want and be prepared to turn it down if not. T&S are your business costs, not the clients.

[MrMarkyMark]

Based on the OP's previous questions...


What answer are you hoping someone will say?

"You can up the rate to £800 PD, to cover it"

[bobspud]

In the past I have always added enough money onto my rate that I can basically cover any costs i have the minute I walk out my office. However I am starting to favour offering reduced rates next to the onsite so that the client can decide just how important seeing my ugly mug is. I am thankful to say I am back to mostly working at home.

[WTFH]

Based on the OP's previous questions...


What answer are you hoping someone will say?

[missinggreenfields]

Title says it all. Just interested.
How do you justify it if the day rate is good anyway (say > £550)

Depends on the location and frequentcy of travel. If I'm expected to be on site all the time then I don't; if I'm not then I would charge for the occasional visit. Anything overseas, I charge travel time plus expenses.

I justify it be explaining that my rate is either inclusinve of travel costs or exclusive. It's not a difficult discussion to have. I have cut my day rate in the past to get to a working from home plus costs paid if I travel, which worked fine when I needed to go to America and to Germany every so often.

[Old Greg]

Did a contract which specified one visit to their customer site once every 6 weeks with no expenses paid. Fair enough - I knew up front.

In the end, over 2 years and I think I went 5 times so no issues. Did an upgrade two of these times which meant overnighter. So permies stayed Hilton, I stayed in etap!

What did it cost you in headphones?

[psychocandy]

Did a contract which specified one visit to their customer site once every 6 weeks with no expenses paid. Fair enough - I knew up front.

In the end, over 2 years and I think I went 5 times so no issues. Did an upgrade two of these times which meant overnighter. So permies stayed Hilton, I stayed in etap!

[LondonManc]

I've never charged but then again, I've never needed to or it's never been an option. If I'm working in London, I've got a £200 uplift on my day rate from Manchester rates. If I'm in Manchester, my costs are minimal anyway (12 miles return journey) so isn't worth the hassle.

The only way I'd get involved in expenses is if the gig is away from Manchester and the rates are low (and it's via a consultancy who generally pass expenses on to end client) or if there are expenses to be incurred in visiting other sites.

[WTFH]

It depends.


I don't have a blanket rule on it. Instead I will factor in travel when it comes to discussing rate, if the distance merits it.


Also, if I am not WFH then I make sure my contracts specify the main site I would be expected to work at and that any travel to other sites is chargeable if applicable.

[VectraMan]

WFH, so yes.

[DaveB]

Don't normally bother, just set the day rate to account for any T&S costs expected. Much easier than getting into negotiations with clients and agents over acceptable rates etc. they only have to worry about the bottom line invoice cost.

If I'm working direct I normally tell the client T&S is included unless they want me to travel to other sites, in which case I bill them at cost.