How to ask for more money

[PickledOwl]

I'm self employed and I've done 15 hours a week for a client for the past 10 months now. I bill every 4 weeks and there's been no issue

In recent months though, the work has crept up a little bit it does ebb and flow so 15 hours more or less covers it and anything extra I tend to bill for after checking first

Now though they are often calling on me at weekends or evenings. A few months ago I suggested we go to 20 hours a week standard and was told maybe they will reconsider this in a few months time

But now I'm regularly tipping towards 20 hours or exceeding and I just need to know where I am and block these 20 definitive hours out my schedule (I do other work)

How do I word a polite but firm ish email to set these additional hours in stone? Thanks

So my title is a bit wrong. Sorry

It's not more money, it's requesting more hours as standard

Charge double for evenings and weekends ?

Don't do work in evening / weekend. Tell them their 15 hours are day time only (if that flies in your industry). Stop answering the phone.

Oh I've done the whole not working weekends thing but some stuff is time sensitive and needs my attention so not a case of not doing it

I just want this to be set in stone, not as and when.

I'd probably approach it as a sort of "would you mind if we had a chat about working hours, I have a lot of commitments to clients for this year and want to make sure I am available for you when you need it - have you had any further thoughts on changing the baseline contract to 20 hours" - that kind of thing.

Ultimately it's up to them isn't it and depends as well whether you want to be working or contacted evenings and weekends, what that means for you or if there is additional expense or inconvenience required etc.

@dontgobaconmyheart I like that . Thank you

Yes definitely give the impression you want to be sure you can be available when needed. But also put in a clause about antisocial hours being x extra.

Just email then and say the work you are now expected to do equates to 20 hours. You are happy to do this extra work if your hours can be increased. If that’s pot possible which work would they like you to do in your 15 hours