Contract worker's lifestyle
Contract worker's lifestyle
(OP)
Hello,
I need advice from people who do contract work. I'm approaching 64 and just lost my job (engineering). I am thinking about laying low for a few months to see if the economy starts to improve, and then finish my career by doing contract work. I see that Aerotek is encouraging older people to do this.
How do you guys handle the moving around? Going to another state or city with only a couple days notice makes me very uneasy. A hotel room would be too expensive and an apartment would probably require a lease. Are there any agencies that can help you find a temporary place to live, or do you just pick up and go somewhere and take your chances?
Thanks
I need advice from people who do contract work. I'm approaching 64 and just lost my job (engineering). I am thinking about laying low for a few months to see if the economy starts to improve, and then finish my career by doing contract work. I see that Aerotek is encouraging older people to do this.
How do you guys handle the moving around? Going to another state or city with only a couple days notice makes me very uneasy. A hotel room would be too expensive and an apartment would probably require a lease. Are there any agencies that can help you find a temporary place to live, or do you just pick up and go somewhere and take your chances?
Thanks





RE: Contract worker's lifestyle
Our company hires boomers for outages that may last upward of 6 weeks. Most that I have talked with like the Extended Stay Hotels. They are reasonable regarding rates for longer stays. Something to think about.
RE: Contract worker's lifestyle
- Steve
RE: Contract worker's lifestyle
Build this cost into your rate or price - the point is that your business should meet the expense
Good luck, HM
No more things should be presumed to exist than are absolutely necessary - William of Occam
RE: Contract worker's lifestyle
If you're going to talk to Aerotek, you should also talk to a few other contract firms.
RE: Contract worker's lifestyle
As Tick subtly hinted Aerotek doesn't have the best reputation amongst members of this site though I worked for them for about 7 months without any real problems.
Ask about Per Diem, essentially an allowance to pay for your food and lodgings while away from home. Up to a certain limit Per Diem isn't taxed so is beneficial financially rather than just getting a higher hourly rate and paying for lodging out of that.
I work out of town and have found a small local hotel that is a lot cheaper than any of the chains, pretty basic, but cheap. I'm only here for 3 nights a week most weeks so the extended stay places work out much more expensive. I haven't negotiated a special rate per-se but they give me regular discounts when the rates go up for summer etc.
I don't know what your hourly rate is, and things may have changed in the down economy, but frankly if they're not paying you enough to stay in a cheap hotel and still come out ahead then they probably aren't paying you enough. As a contractor you should normally have significantly higher hourly rate than as direct.
Some people use campers or the like.
KENAT,
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RE: Contract worker's lifestyle
The upside is that if you use it enough you get a free camper out of the deal and it's a little more like home since you can bring more stuff with you and have a kitchen so you don't have to eat out.
RE: Contract worker's lifestyle
As for you question, it depends on the expected length of the contract. Short term (up to 6 months), I have stayed in extended stay motels or rented rooms. Longer term, I have rented apartments, but it is a hassle moving your stuff around. If renting an apartment, make sure that there is no penalty for early termination of contract. Explain your situation and you will often find that apartment managers are willing to work with you.
If I were still contracting, I would probably look into what PatrickR suggests and buy an inexpensive mobile residence. While it can be pricey, there are deals out there that can make it a worthwhile proposition.
Good Luck!!
"Good to know you got shoes to wear when you find the floor." - Robert Hunter
RE: Contract worker's lifestyle
Personally, I just make sure I have at least a per diem equivalent to the GSA rates for lodging in that area. That's usually more than enough to cover an extended stay hotel with a kitchenette and continental breakfast.
RE: Contract worker's lifestyle
Full disclosure, I have no ties to them except having been a very satisfied customer for years.
RE: Contract worker's lifestyle
I used to travel for work and I've had fairly good luck with B&B's, although some can cost more than an Executive Suite Hotel.
I've also used craigslist, but that's a bit more sketchy on very short notice. Look under sublet/temporary housing and narrow your search for no minimum stay or a specific time frame.
The good thing about doing this now is that the travel industry is very hard hit and there are a lot of people out there trying to get any income they can. Negotiate the rates.
You won't have as much competition for accommodations as before. And once you are 'in' a specific market, you can tap into leads would not ordinarily have had access to.
"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"
RE: Contract worker's lifestyle
"Good to know you got shoes to wear when you find the floor." - Robert Hunter