Very Short Term Contracts

[arthur_cider]

In my line of work short contracts occasionally come up, but the clients (or agencies) don't seem to understand that one week's work is at a daily rate 2-3x that of a six month contract.

...and then they wonder why they can't get anyone.

Short contracts in call logging, surely not!

[chicane]

and SASguru still hasn't paid

It wasn't sadguru - he went elsewhere when I told him that a fiver wasn't enough for three hours.

[Bagpuss]

Yes, but degrading, immoral and probably illegal in some countries, no?

and SASguru still hasn't paid

[chicane]

...and then they wonder why they can't get anyone.

I think they're fully aware why they can't get anyone, but you can't blame them for hoping that some naive but talented fool with an empty bank account will turn up and apply for the "opportunity".

[NotAllThere]

In my line of work short contracts occasionally come up, but the clients (or agencies) don't seem to understand that one week's work is at a daily rate 2-3x that of a six month contract.

...and then they wonder why they can't get anyone.

[chicane]

Yes, but degrading, immoral and probably illegal in some countries, no?

Yeah, but when a downturn comes, you can't be choosy about your line of work eh?

[King Cnvt]

I charged £650 for 3 hours work recently. Pretty satisfying.

Yes, but degrading, immoral and probably illegal in some countries, no?

[chicane]

I charged £650 for 3 hours work recently. Pretty satisfying.

[rootsnall]

Hi

Q1: Has one got any experience of working very short term contracts?

I would consider one day to a fortnight work of work very short term.

Q2: Assuming if very short term work could easily achieved from clients, what is difference between that sort of work and freelancing?

I've done a few one and two weekers that were close to home. More with a view of sussing it out for future work than the immediate money on offer.

[TheFaQQer]

I've done some short-term training courses for clients - three to five days at a time.

Much higher rate (double normal daily rate), or they can come to my training sessions and I'll charge them per delegate.

[DimPrawn]

Hi

Q1: Has one got any experience of working very short term contracts?

I would consider one day to a fortnight work of work very short term.

Q2: Assuming if very short term work could easily achieved from clients, what is difference between that sort of work and freelancing?

I've done a few gigs ranging from one day to a couple of weeks.

Rate is usually higher and they get you in to do a very specialised job (e.g. sort out completely dead system that's beyond their capabilities, security / performance tuning audits, general consultancy type advice, critique a design or spec, create a prototype, etc).

Can be a nice sideline.

[Troll]

1: No I've never been sacked... try MF (where is he these days)

2:It would command a premium rate and probably be classed as consultancy

HTH

[Charles Foster Kane]

If I am doing very short term work, I charge an outrageous fee to make up for it. I had a weekend job on one occasion at £250 an hour on the Saturday and double-rate on the Sunday. I tulip you not.

[rocktronAMP]

Hi

Q1: Has one got any experience of working very short term contracts?

I would consider one day to a fortnight work of work very short term.

Q2: Assuming if very short term work could easily achieved from clients, what is difference between that sort of work and freelancing?