Contractor - work location

[Raspberry123]

I have applied for a 1 year contract in a city which is a 4 hours commute for me (my work is location specific). I have done this before as a weekly commute and asked to work 2 days a week at home and 3 days a week in the client's office. This was about bareable for 2 years. Now another job opportunity has come up in the same city. I have not worked for this company before and a friend of mine has suggested I shouldnt mention this remote working at the interview and just say I will weekly commute and then gradually 'slide' into working from home.
Officially as I shall be working outside the IR35 they cannot 'force' me to work in their office but still. Is this the right way to go about it? How do others sort this?

No, they can’t force you to work in the office but they can terminate your contract ( subject to terms and conditions). They could also move you inside IR35

Hoppinggreen I realise they can get cheesed off and just terminate me - I'm just wondering how others manage this and whether they raise it at the interview (which is what I have done before) or whether they dont mention it, start work and then gradually start working from home. Any tips that other people have found works well?

As you are contracting, I would mention it at the 'interview' - if they insist you work in their office (depending on the type of work of course) then it could easily bring you within IR35.

Read up on the private sector changes coming in April. Basically end client will be responsible for determining ir35 status. Some big clients are blanketing all contractors as being inside. This could potentially hit you very hard in the pocket - ie income tax deducted at source and no travel expenses

My advice is It’s better to be upfront, and at least ask about the possibility of working from home, at least you will be better informed to make the choice suitable to your needs. This is especially important if you have young children. Both parties need to make sure they have the right expectation met. As for IR35 there are a lot of changes coming in and you could ask the client what there potential stance will be on this. Again it’s about setting expectations and making sure you make an informed choice that meets your needs. Fixed term contracts tend to allow the client free reign to do whatever they want, ie terminate contract with immediate effect, where as the contractor tends to have no right.