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jennifer_kurr
Community Member

Travel time

Hello,

I have a client who would like me to go to a conference but I'm not sure how to charge my time. Do I charge for travel time? The time I'm engaged in the conference? The entire time I'm away? Is there a general policy freelancers follow? I would be gone 3 1/2 days and the conference goes from morning through the evening so this would be a lot of hours. To be fair I'm happy to do it, but want to make sure I am faily compensated for my time as well.

Thanks!

5 REPLIES 5
martina_plaschka
Community Member


Jennifer K wrote:

Hello,

I have a client who would like me to go to a conference but I'm not sure how to charge my time. Do I charge for travel time? The time I'm engaged in the conference? The entire time I'm away? Is there a general policy freelancers follow? I would be gone 3 1/2 days and the conference goes from morning through the evening so this would be a lot of hours. To be fair I'm happy to do it, but want to make sure I am faily compensated for my time as well.

Thanks!


You will probably be unable to use the time tracker for your time, so make sure you agree with the client beforehand how many hours or which amount you will bill. Maybe fixed price is the best way to go in this case, as manual hours are not protected. Of course you should be compensated for your time, you could be working for a different client in the meantime and earning money.

p_serechenko
Community Member

Hello Jenifer!

 

That is a good question! I've searched on internet about this, and it is written everywhere that freelancers should charge for travel time.

 

If I was in your position in a project paid per hour, I would have made an additional (written) agreement upon travel requirements and probably would suggest a separate payment for this service + hourly payment for the acctual work. Maybe is also correct to ask the client to make a full propose of what is his idea about the payment in this case.

Hope this helps:)

Thanks Martina and Polina for the great advice! He is currently suggesting a fixed price per day, which will cover all expenses in addition to work time. I think that does make sense, and I'll have to think about creating a policy for myself going forward since I know I'll be traveling a bit more for him. Freelancing has been quite an adventure so far!

When you discuss a fixed rate you have to consider all your expenses as well as the fees. If you have to stay somewherer for several days, make sure the client books and pays a hotel and the travel for you or add the costs to your rate.

 

I received a invite the other day (thanks talent specialists) to interprete for several days in another country. Once I provided a list with my expenses including the travel the client started wondering why I even was invited if I live in a different part of the world.

Thanks Jennifer - luckily the expenses are all paid once I get there, so it's really just figuring out how many hours to charge for since the conference is quite long, and how to charge for travel time and the expenses involved there.

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