New job, no paperwork, meant to start on Monday...

[TheSeriousOne]

Hope someone can help me with this.

I've just set up a consultancy business and have been for a few interviews and one of those asked me to do a couple of projects. I agreed, we (verbally) agreed rates etc., and I started to do some pre-work. I sent this to them, and she came back to me and said, actually, they'd changed their mind on what was needed and could I come into the office for a few days... I agreed (this means getting childcare sorted for DS 5MO) and I asked if we could formalise the arrangements (I'd like to know where I stand on travelling time, travelling costs etc as these weren't meant to be an issue)

I've been called twice but STILL nothing in writing and I'm supposed to start Monday - I am not sure (I haven't ever been a consultant before) if I'm being over senstive or if I should be worried???

What do you think?

thanks!

Did you ask them to put it in writing?

Yes, have asked to have it all put in writing as now I have to go into the office, there is going to be travelling time and petrol expenses and I want that all nailed down, IYSWIM...

as freelance dont you invoice them

and they pay you probably reluctantly and not under 30 days unless you badger them

If you're freelancing, don't you just send them your terms and conditions and get them to sign them? Is the ball in your court?

when i was interior design consultant

i gave terms and conditions

took deposit

sent staged invoice

argued for payment on receipt not 30 days

i think it is you who provide the paperwork

Could be either. Personally I have standard terms and conditions and would have an engagement letter for a piece of work detailing any additional information.

But when I've worked f/t for organisations who have used consultants, we had a standard consultancy agreement which was often just adapted to fit the individual and the project they were working on.

It's interesting you say you'd 'like to know where you stand' on travelling time and travelling costs. You stand wherever you want to an extent. If you want to invoice them for an hourly/daily rate or whatever and then invoice travel expenses on top of that, you can say that and they can either agree or attempt to negotiate. I certainly wouldn't include travelling time in any negotiation tbh, unless it was going to take you hours to get there and prevent you taking on another piece of work. Assuming it's normal commutable distance I think you need to take the hit on that.

Difficult to say whether you're being oversensitive without knowing how rubbish the person you're dealing with is. If they've agreed to put it in writing themselves rather than you do it, it might take a while to get that sorted, particularly if they don't have a standard agreement they use.

But if they are doing the drafting, they should be drafting the terms as agreed with you, and it doesnt sound as though agreement has been reached yet. You are speaking as if you are a new employee waiting for a job offer. It's not like that, assuming you are genuinely self-employed.

If you're not getting anywhere trying to contact this person, go in on MOnday and resolve this promptly. You can still invoice for your time to date should it all fall apart, which is unlikely just over travel expenses.

Thanks - I've taken your advice and sent them an e-mail stating what I expect. It's not OTT, but reasonable, and they've e-mailed me back to agree, so looks like you guys were right, I was waiting for something that a self employed person wouldn't expect.

thanks!!