Javier: I'd say for sure "interview for a potential project" rather than "doing consulting work". They haven't said that something doesn't work and they want me to look at it or anything in that vein. True, lawyers do not charge but then the client always comes to their office so the lawyer has no expense other than lost revenue (which in a lawyer's case is HUGE).
I do alot of government work, with people coming for our services all the time, and you're right -- they do not charge us when they travel here to meet us in person, present their credentials, give their opinion of what they would do, etc. I think I'll go gratis, with the understanding that if I do something that I consider "work" then there would be the normal hourly rate for it. Karen -----Original Message----- From: Javier Valencia <[email protected]> To: RBASE-L Mailing List <[email protected]> Sent: Wed, Feb 5, 2014 10:53 am Subject: [RBASE-L] - RE: OT - consulting travel? Karen, It depends if you are going there to do consulting work or interview for a potential project. Unlike trade workers, such a plumbers and electricians that will charge just to give you an estimate, professional workers typically do not charge for such services. Even lawyers will not charge you for the initial consultation. When consultants are interviewed for potential projects, they normally pick up their own expenses. One time we took a team of 4 people and prepared a 3 hour presentation to an interview with the city of Dayton, Ohio, only to find out later that they had already selected a consultant but for legal reason they had to interview 4 consultants; talk about being upset. I have personally travelled all the way to California on my dime just to visit with clients about potential projects. It is called the cost of doing business and it should be factored in your overhead. If you are going there just to discuss a potential project and gather information to prepare a proposal/estimate, then I would not charge them. If you are going there to give them actual guidance on how to proceed, then you are doing actual work and might consider charging them. Just my 2 cents. Javier, Javier Valencia, PE O: 913-829-0888 H: 913-397-9605 C: 913-915-3137 From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Karen Tellef Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2014 9:07 AM To: RBASE-L Mailing List Subject: [RBASE-L] - OT - consulting travel? I've driven to places before to talk about a potential project (someone you've never worked with) and I usually do not charge anything. But for the first time this client is a 3 hour drive away. So obviously an entire day will be taken up even if the meeting is just a half hour. I'm not expecting to do any actual work there, just let them show me their app, talk about the upgrade process, etc. For the first time I'm thinking of asking for maybe just my gas expense? I'm not sure what the standard is, if the business would expect a charge like that or whether they would be insulted. What do you people think or do? Karen
