Hourly Contracts & the anxiety around them

[80e7faba]

Hey fellow Upworkers!
As you have already read the topic you know what's up.

Recently I got my first hourly Upwork contract and forgot to turn the tracker on. I have submitted work and messaged the client regarding my mistake. I am aware that this is 100% my fault. 

A few questions that i needed clarification on please:

1. Do I always have to track time with hourly contracts? I've heard there's an option to manually log time but that means no Upwork hourly payment protection. 

2. Let's say I get 5 hours/week to work on my contract and I complete work in 2 hours with time tracker. Am I getting paid for 2 hours only? (Silly question I know)

3. Before finalising the contract, is it okay to ask the client to change contract to fixed price? 

4. Is the option the manually log time available on all hourly contracts?

I would really appreciate your replies and help. TIA.

Best, 

Zoraiz K.

[naveedali0188 · Accepted solution]

Answer of questions

1. Do I always have to track time with hourly contracts? I've heard there's an option to manually log time but that means no Upwork hourly payment protection.

Upwork protects only the hourly contract that fulfills the Upwork Activity Levels criteria.
https://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/articles/211068518-Use-Your-Work-Diary#:~:text=When%20you%20use%....

2. Let's say I get 5 hours/week to work on my contract and I complete work in 2 hours with a time tracker. Am I getting paid for 2 hours only? (Silly question I know)

Yes, only the time track with the Upwork time tracker.

https://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/articles/211063668-Get-Paid-for-Hourly-Contracts#:~:text=The%20w....

3. Before finalizing the contract, is it okay to ask the client to change the contract to a fixed price?

It's up to you and your clients and the nature of the project

https://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/articles/211063418-Hourly-vs-Fixed-Price-Projects

4. Is the option the manually log time available on all hourly contracts?

No, Only the contract clients allow the manual log time. Manual time does not qualify for Hourly Payment Protection

https://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/articles/211068488-Add-Manual-Time

[80e7faba]

Hi Naveed. Thankyou for such a detailed reply. Things are definitely more clear now!

[naveedali0188]

❤️