Contract worker's lifestyle

[EngJW]

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

 

[metengr]

EngJW;
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.

 

[SomptingGuy]

The company I work for has a fairly long list of "Bed & Breakfast" places nearby. They are usually houses owned by older people who no longer need the space and like the company of (paying) guests. Ideal for short-term contractors.

- Steve

 

[HamishMcTavish]

i use B&Bs or if i'm on a longer contract i ring local small hotels (i.e. not chains) and try to negotiate a reduced rate based on longer stays.

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

 

[TheTick]

The nicest way to say this:
If you're going to talk to Aerotek, you should also talk to a few other contract firms.

 

[KENAT]

Sorry to hear about your job loss.

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,

Have you reminded yourself of faq731-376 recently, or taken a look at posting policies:

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[MTPipeliner]

I know quite a few contractors who have 5th wheel campers that they use. Depending on what city and part of the country you're in this may be more hassle than it's worth. It's also a pretty expensive up front price, especially if you don't already have a pickup to pull it.

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.

 

[ewh]

I agree with Tick on this. If you are seriously considering becoming a job shopper, do not limit yourself to Aerotek. There are many good, reputable contract shops out there, and they often have listings that others don't.
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." - [small]Robert Hunter[/small]

 

[Mr168]

On the note of campers, I know more than a few who have been able to get some significant tax breaks through creative use of business expense and second home write-offs, so there are money-saving areas to be had.

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.

 

[debodine]

If you want to look around for what is out there too, check out

http://www.ceweekly.com

and get a one year online subscription, which I think is around $25. Even though I stopped job shopping some years back and went direct, I never close my C E Weekly (Contract Engineering Weekly)account just in case I ever need to instantly get my resume in front of over 1,000 job shops. Spend some serious time checking out the site...if you ever decide to do contract engineering they are good source of a lot of info, not just jobs.

Full disclosure, I have no ties to them except having been a very satisfied customer for years.

 

[casseopeia]

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!"

 

[ewh]

debodine's advice regarding CeWeekly is very good; I only recently let my subscription expire, and will pick it up again soon seeing how the economy is tanking. Excellent resource for job-shopping.

"Good to know you got shoes to wear when you find the floor." - [small]Robert Hunter[/small]