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Client wants me to work on-site (self.freelance)

submitted ago by waitwaitWhet

I usually work with multiple clients concurrently out of my own office. I have a new prospective client, It's a pretty well known company and willing to pay what I requested for the work to be done. The problem is that they are now requesting me to work part of the time on their premises about an hour away. I find this problematic in many ways and I don't normally do this, nor would I prefer it. How should one approach the situation without losing the client?

Edit: Thanks! All great advice.

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[–]SayHuWhaaaaat 11 points12 points ago

Maybe you just tell them you don't have the means to transport the equipment in an efficient manner to their location. That it'd tack on 2 hours drive plus assembly/disassembly. If they have equipment there just let them know you're using customizations and plugins you've accumulate over the years that would take far too long to assemble on site. If they continue to push the issue then tell them you'd have to raise your rates to offset the additional labor involved in the process.

[–]rlayton 8 points9 points ago

Also check local laws. In Australia, this type of action "you have to work in the office and use our equipment" can constitute as hiring the person rather than contracting them. Companies don't like this, as it's cheaper to contract someone than to hire them. The exact line is a bit blurry, but a contractor is generally paid to get the job done, not how they do it. If you are told how to do a job, then it becomes more employee category.

[–]winja 6 points7 points ago

This is largely true in the US, too, though it's a bit murky.

[–]SayHuWhaaaaat 3 points4 points ago

Well hell, TIL. I'll keep this in my bag of handy informations.

[–]twelvis 9 points10 points ago

Just say no! You're in the driver's seat. They need you, not the other way around.

Or tell them it will be much less efficient and that you'll have to bill them for travel time/expenses.

[–]grantmoore3d 6 points7 points ago

"No, I work from my own office"

[–]jackdempsey 5 points6 points ago

Can you tell why they want you to work onsite?

If it's just to get to know you and make sure things are getting done then suggest an initial onsite phase, offsite, and then perhaps wrap it up with onsite to complete the project.

Also make sure you bill for the travel time. I've done anything from full rate to 1/4 rate depending.

At the end of the day what's more important to you: keeping them as a client and working part time onsite, or standing fast and potentially losing them.

[–]ViralInfection 2 points3 points ago

Say no, or charge much more.

[–]mllestrong 2 points3 points ago

Don't do it: it's a trap. They'll lure you into full time on site. :(

[–]minorvillain 1 point2 points ago

Maybe you should reconsider if you can set some time aside to do it, they may be fine with whatever you propose. If you want to work with them, try and compromise, it sounds like they want someone in house for part of the time to attend meetings or w.e., a reasonable request. Bill per hour you're there, and if you can't do it, explain why and accept you just not be the right fit.

[–]OnceInABlueMoon 2 points3 points ago

It sounds like they have changed the parameters of the agreement. Consider whether it would be worth it to ask for more money to cover travel expenses and to compensate for your extra time traveling.

[–]MTknowsit 1 point2 points ago

I can come in once every two weeks for meetings and networking to get the work done. Because of the nature of my work and the needs of my business, it's not possible for me to commit to working on-site more than that.

[–]waitwaitWhet[S] 0 points1 point ago

I pretty much said something along these lines. Sounds like it might work out but I won't know until we finalize details next week.

[–]MTknowsit 0 points1 point ago

Yeah, I've had half a dozen clients try to pull me on-site. Then, suddenly, you're doing 10 unpaid lunches and meetings a week and they're logging your time (according to their interpretations. It's just better and safer to stay away and make yourself 100 available by phone and email or even videoconferencing.

[–]callmesnake13 3 points4 points ago

In the US it's a legal definition - you are freelance because you don't work in their space, you don't use their equipment, and you really aren't supposed to be under their supervision. If they want you to work under their roof, tell them that's fine and ask them when you can start using their health care plan.