In an ideal world we’d all have contracts around the corner from home. Unfortunately that is rarely possible and, more often than not, you’ll either have a sizeable commute, or will have to stay away from home during the week.
If you are having to stay away for a contract, we’ve come up with some tips which should help to make the situation more bearable.
Where to Stay
Hotel
You’ve got a few options for accommodation when working away. The first that springs to mind is obviously a hotel.
There are plenty of websites that search through numerous hotels to find the best deals, so these should be your first port of call. Our favourites are:
These are fine for shorter stays. However, if you are looking at a lengthy contract it is worth contacting the hotel directly to see if they have discounted rates for long stays. The majority probably will, especially if it’s just week nights. Living at a budget hotel is reminiscent of Alan Partridge, but sometimes it’s the only option.
Ensure that any hotel you do pick caters for your needs, i.e. wifi, room service, bar etc. There’s nothing worse than being holed up in a bland room with only the noises of the amorous couple next door to keep you company.
Bed & Breakfast
Sometimes an independent bed & breakfast is a good option. You are more likely to be able to negotiate a long-stay discount with them and the rooms will generally be a bit more homely.
There are pitfalls, of course. Wifi and decent TV channels are unlikely and some B&B owners are oddballs who may be rather over-friendly.
Some B&Bs are listed on the hotel search sites, but it’s also worth a basic Google search for the smaller ones.
Renting
Actually renting out a flat or house may seem like a bit of a pain, but if you have a long contract with likely extensions it may be a cost effective option.
There are a couple of websites that cater for people looking for a room in a house. This is a great idea and seems to work brilliantly for contractors. Try spareroom.co.uk and mondaytofriday.com, which are both searchable by location and have a plethora of house-sharing opportunities.
Other
One contractor I met had a motor home and stayed in that throughout the week. So, if you are comfortable with the idea of sleeping in a deserted layby, that is an option.
I’ve also met someone who stayed in a tent whilst on contract, but that’s rather extreme and probably not advisable at Canary Wharf in January.
A final thing to consider; if your contract is during the summer months you could look at student apartments. The dirty students won’t be there and many companies rent out the empty properties for peanuts to keep them occupied.
What to do
Staying away from home is always difficult, especially if you are leaving family behind. So it’s vital that you keep yourself as occupied as possible during the long nights. Staying in your room and watching endless Midsomer Murders DVDs is a risk to anyone’s heath, so try to think of something more exciting to do.
Have a look on the internet for activities you enjoy in the vicinity. Do you like playing 5-a-side football, or chess, or squash? Keeping physically active is important.
You may also want to use your spare time to gain extra skills. Some people will work on Open University courses, or you can immerse yourself in text books specific to your profession.
If you have a ‘plan B’ (i.e. a business idea away from contracting) it’s an opportune time to work on that as well.
What can I claim?
If you’re working away you’ll be able to claim expenses through your company. Here is a very quick guide:
- Mileage rates – the first 10,000 miles at 45p per mile, each additional mile 25p thereafter. For motorbikes it is 24p per mile and bicycles 20p per mile (regardless of mileage). Ensure you keep a log of all business journeys.
- You can also claim for toll fees, congestion charges, vehicle hire and car parking.
- Subsistence and accommodation can be claimed whilst working away from home on a temporary assignment. Care must be taken that expenditure is not lavish otherwise HMRC will consider whether, on the facts of the case, the expenditure is really attributable to business travel or is some sort of reward. This rule is general for all travelling expenditure.
- Personal incidental expenses (private phone calls, laundry, newspapers etc) can be claimed to a limit of £5 per night. These expenses must be reimbursed by the employer as the employee is not entitled to relief for expenses that they pay out of their own money and not reimbursed by the employer.
All rates are correct at the time of publishing. Contractor Weekly Ltd is not responsible for the content of any external websites.
Do you have any tips for staying away? If so, please add your comments below.
Read reviews before you book, if anyone has a terrible experience they generally want to tell the world about it.
I have a two bed mobile home that my daughter used to live in. Where is the best place to advertise? I’ve let it for 4 days a week for three roofers for a few weeks. That worked really well. South bucks area. Good for M4 M25 etc
It’s £ 10 a night when the contract is outside the UK
I joined local running club, running Tuesdays & Thursdays throughout the year. I managed to get some indoor tennis in on a Wednesday night during winter months and some golf after work during summer months. It makes the working week fly by.
Very helpful article …. if you have absolutely no idea how to lead life and have lived in a cave for the last 250 years…. what a collection of ….
Staying in a caravan is a good economical solution. Well insulated caravans can be used all year. Join the Caravan club and the Camping and caravanning club and you get lots of options of where to stay. The advantage of a caravan over a motor home is that you get the use of your car without moving your “home”.
Airbnb
Lots of people offer Monday to Friday rooms
Home from.home and cheaper and.less soulless than a hotel.
Hi. I’m looking at letting a room to contractors. As you say plenty of people let rooms – my question is where would you advise me to advertise? The suggestions made in the article, Monday to Friday and Spareroom both cater more for flat sharing, which is a different kettle of fish. Contractors generally stay for four nights so a per night fee would be more logical. I’d be grateful for any ideas or suggestions you may have.
Good question. I have a mobile home in the grounds of my 3.5acres. I had 3 roofers for a few weeks. Cheap. Self contained. We even have 21mb wifi! Windsor area
Hi I’m also wanting to rent rooms to contractors,and would like to know how to go about finding companies that are needing them
I have a room to let to contractors. As you say there are plenty of places they can stay but what is the best way to reach them? Both Monday to Friday and Spareroom mentioned in this article cater for flat sharing, which is a different kettle of fish. Contractors generally stay for four nights, Monday to Thursday, so a nightly rate would be more logical. I’d be grateful for any ideas or suggestions you may be able to offer.
Hello
I’m a self employed shopfitting carpenter and I work away from home mostly.
I stay in my motorhome when away and usually either park on the job or in an industrial estate.
I’m very happy doing this for the space and keeping me away from the big drinking culture in my work but am wondering if there’s anything I can claim for as well as parking and mileage.
Any advice is much appreciated?
Thanks
Hi – WE have various apartments – houses that give you the home from home feel rather then a hotel room that you can book out on a nightly or weekly basis to suit. http://www.diamondservicedapartments.co.uk
Hi we have 18 beds available for contractors in a city centre location in Cardiff
Regards
Steve 07977 550002
Hi, great article. I can find contractor accommodation all over the country with great rates and, most importantly, fully fitted kitchens and fast WiFi!
Regards
Olly
contact@pimssouthwest.co.uk
07711836002
Hi all, I own Rapid Accommodation. Check out our website. We work specifically with the construction and service industries and take the accommodation headache away 🙂
Rent a room from a local near to where you’re working.
25£ a night is cheaper than b&b or hotel and helps someone out who might otherwise be in a financial pickle. Go online on the local FB noticeboard for where you want to be and post a wanted ad for lodgings.