Consultant - When to make them sign a contract

[assumetheposition]

I have just started out as a freelance consulatant.

My first job was a 12 week contract with an old contact so was fairly straightforward.

However, I have a potential job with a new client who I have not worked with before. He wants me to give them advice although not actually do the work for them. I have proposed to charge them for 2 days work (1 for preparation and one for the actual meeting).

However they have asked me to look at something in advance and give them some feedback. I have nothing in writing with them so far and nothing has been agreed in terms of along term arrangement further than this one meeting that they are paying me for.

My question is .....
do I do this for them out of good will?
do I charge them (although it is not a full day's work).
do I say I'm not giving them advice until a proper arrangment is drawn up.

So difficult as I really want to establish some clients but don't want to tell them all they need to know and for them to decided they don't actually need me anymore!

These discussions with new accounts are so hard!

I always found though, that it paid to get an agreement beforehand. A simple "I would love to give you the guidance you need, lets get this agreement signed so we can get the ball rolling" normally worked for me.

If you do not want to charge them (for whatever reason) it still helps to get some paperwork in place.

Also, I am not sure what your business is but it might be worth sorting out a charging/cost plan for any future similar situations. If you are doing work for them, irrespective of how long it takes, you need to charge them.

I have sent a message back saying just that, and a draft contract.

Thank you!

I'm new to all this and am not feeling very brave yet!

I am old hand and still not very brave either!