Client wants to setup my software, do I charge for this?

[mandella22]

Hi,

My client wants to take 30 mins and ensure I have all the software set up and I am in his systems. Is this something that I can charge for? I won't really be doing any work so that is why I ask. Thank you!

[robin_hyman]

30 minutes is 30 minutes of your time that could have been spent working on another client's work and getting PAID.  

Yes I would charge him. 

[hoyle_editing]

Yes, I would say if the client is requesting something and you need to be present/free from other activities during that time then it is ceratinly chargable.

As always though, a little judgment is probably wise - depending on job size and regular client or not? 

[prestonhunter]

I agree with the advice from the other posters, that point out that if a client is utilizing YOUR TIME, then it is VALID and EXPECTED for you to bill for that time.

HOWEVER:

It is not REQUIRED that you charge for every minute of time spent with the client.

For example:

If a client was training me how to work on their very particular system, which is just for their business, then I would certainly bill for that time.

But if a client was literally GIVING me a useful software package... such as Adobe Photoshop, and GIVING me a year-long license which he pays for, and providing me with instructions for installing that on my own computer... Then I would consider NOT billing for that time. I would not feel bad about NOT billing for such time.

[researchediting]

Is there a reason why no one else is screamng: WHAT!? YOU IN MY SYSTEM? ME IN YOUR SYSTEM? LET ME OUT OF HERE!

[colettelewis]

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Douglas Michael M wrote:

Is there a reason why no one else is screamng: WHAT!? YOU IN MY SYSTEM? ME IN YOUR SYSTEM? LET ME OUT OF HERE!

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_______________________

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I haven't enough breath to scream. 

Amanda,

Do NOT do this until you know more. This is your first job and I think you should be extremely cautious. 

Could you tell us if the client has actually offered you a specific job and could you tell us (without names or quoting) what the job is. Has the client actually hired you officially through Upwork? 

[mandella22]

Thanks for the feedback guys! All is good, no worries. To answer the questions, yes I have been hired and it's a legit position. I was only asking because I just have a weird complex of being too nice and was unsure of proper etiquette. He actually told me to be sure I log the hours for said training. Thank you all so much

[colettelewis]

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Amanda B wrote:

Thanks for the feedback guys! All is good, no worries. To answer the questions, yes I have been hired and it's a legit position. I was only asking because I just have a weird complex of being too nice and was unsure of proper etiquette. He actually told me to be sure I log the hours for said training. Thank you all so much

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Pheww - in that case well done and I hope the job goes well and all the ones in the future. 
 

[lysis10]

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Douglas Michael M wrote:

Is there a reason why no one else is screamng: WHAT!? YOU IN MY SYSTEM? ME IN YOUR SYSTEM? LET ME OUT OF HERE!

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I was scrolling down hoping someone would /facepalm at what's about to happen to OP. Now I don't have to!

[tlsanders]

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Douglas Michael M wrote:

Is there a reason why no one else is screamng: WHAT!? YOU IN MY SYSTEM? ME IN YOUR SYSTEM? LET ME OUT OF HERE!

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I have this bad habit of momentarily abandoning available data to assume that the person in question has already addressed that piece if they've reached the point of asking a question like this one.

[tlsanders]

You can, definitely.

Whether or not it's good business depends on the circumstances. If it's a short-term or one-off project, then you definitely should. I personally wouldn't charge for that 30 minutes if it was set-up for a 50-hour project or a one-time set-up for an ongoing relationship.That's not to say you can't, or even shouldn't, but if the investment is very small in comparison to the job, I typically don't charge for it.

[prestonhunter]

I don't know anything about the original poster's actual project or the client who hired her. I don't know anything about what "systems" they are talking about.

But I can point this out:

A client who hires a freelancer and makes it clear to her that she SHOULD log all time for training and discussion... is a client who is doing the right thing.

This is how a professional, serious client acts.