Indepenent Contractor questions

["Tim Lewis" <Writer -dot- lewis -at- worldnet -dot- att -dot- net>]

Hi all,

I am currently working as a TW for a company through a temporary services
agency. My boss and I have agreed to discontinue the relationship with the
temp agency soon. Then the client will hire me as an independent contractor
through my business. Based on discussions on this list and other research I
have a good idea of how much to charge per hour. Most of the time I will be
working on-site. I may do some work in my home office. My questions are
about a contract and setting my hours.

I expect I will be working 40 to 45 hours per week during their normal
working hours like I do now. I know they cannot tell me when to work or how
many hours. I will clearly state in the contract that I am an independent
contractor and not an employee who expects employee benefits. I know I
should limit the duration of the contract such as one month, renewable by
mutual agreement. Should I put a limit on the number of hours I will work
per week?

Should I charge them a flat weekly fee rather than by the hour? What about
overtime?

I know I will need to see other clients from time to time. Should I write
into the contract that I am free to take time for other business and that I
am not working for them exclusively?

When you work on-site, how do you usually report the number of hours you
work for a client?

Tim Lewis
Lewis Communications
Written and Visual Communications
mailto:writer -dot- lewis -at- worldnet -dot- att -dot- net