Contract Work

[Neo]

Hi all!

I've missed the forum.  It's been so long...  :(  Anyway, I remembered that a bunch of people here do independent contract work programming, and I'm looking into the possibility of getting into that line of work, myself.  I was wondering how you'd recommend getting into it, e.g.:

1) How do you find potential contracts to do?  I've got a few possible contacts that might be interested, but I don't know quite how I should approach them to ask.
2) How do you decide whether the terms make sense or not?
3) Would they usually want you on-site somewhere, would they usually prefer remote, or perhaps somewhere in between where you'd have a few on-site meetings?
4) Would you recommend contract work as a full-time job?
5) Any things I should be aware of / cautious of / avoid?

Thanks a ton as usual!  :U

[Farabi]

When I got a contract, Im the boss.

I work wherever I want, I decide how long does it take, I decide how much does it cost, etc. If you want it to be like that, tell them to contact a big company who used to sell the software at the markets. Your costumer wilil suprised to how big does it cost, and they will respect you more. Of course you dont have to "sell" your work at the same price as the big company, just take it how much you need it.

[dedndave]

you can get hooked up with a contract service, or "job shop"
it is a good way to go, until you get your feet wet
it gives you a level of legal protection, should the customer decide he does not want to pay   :bg
the problem with job shops is, they try to choke the golden goose, of course
a fee of 20 to 25% is considered normal - many of them try to get 30% or more
they act as though you are offending them if you ask what their percentage is, too - lol

the other down-sides with contracting through a service are job security and benefits
job-shops usually require (in the contract) that the customer pay a minimum of 30 days or something
but, the customer can let you go any time they like
if you have a mortgage, or a wife and children, then it is a bit shakey
when contracting through a service, there are usually minimal benefits - often, none at all
that means no paid holidays or vacation days
some services provide insurance, but it costs an arm and a leg

i have only done a little software on contract, when it applied to a hardware project
i would think that remote workers would be advantageous to a company
if you slip and fall at home - they have no insurance obligation
and - it reduces their overhead in other ways - no need to provide you an office, desk, lights, and so on
i have done a lot of work at home, but i am in a different field, really

back in the 70's, i made good money through contract services - substantially more than full-time employees
with each passing decade, that has tapered off considerably   :'(

[vanjast]

Keep a record of EVERYTHING, no matter how small.
Keep your paperwork in order too, one tends to forget this..
Send your bills immeadiately after you fininsh the job.
:8)