Some quick freelance questions

jordank95

Diving into the freelance world and was offered a job where the pay is hourly (we negotiated a reasonable price based on my experience and research I did). Job will last about 6-8 months and is through an individual. 

What are some things I should require before I start? Anything I need to know? Anything I need to have in place before I start? How do I keep track of my hours?

Eric Chadwick

Moved from General Discussion to Career & Education. See the sticky, in particular the Freelance section of the wiki.

The section on Invoicing is prob the most relevant considering where you are in the process.

Do you have a contract? You better get one! For freelancers a contract is primarily a communication tool, not a legal one. 

Avoid repeating the numerous horror stories! Do some homework, right away.

jordank95

@Eric Chadwick Thanks, I should have known to look there, my mistake. Now, this might be a stupid question, but am I sending the contract or are they? Just trying to do the most amount of research before I get this rolling.

Eric Chadwick

Either one of you can initiate.

A contract is first and foremost a simple way to solidify what you've both agreed to, already in your opening conversations.

It's a doc for both of you. It's not for either of you to put the screws into the other guy. It's just a good way to agree, right up front, what you both think the project is about.

Read up on it, in the bottom section of that wiki page.

carvuliero

Ask for detailed description of every task , there is a lot of miscommunication working remote this way you will save yourself lot of headache +

both sides will be on the same page

For tracking time you could use program or good old .txt file

If you are not sure ask don't assume anything