I bill everything, that I do for a client, on the clients premises, or that I feel like it's work - specifically if the client asks me to attend something. I dr

I bill everything, that I do for a client, on the clients premises, or that I feel like it's work - specifically if the client asks me to attend something. I draw the line when it's my benefit only (e.g. going out with the coworkers for a beer after hours). But beside that: If I don't get a problem I was working on out of my head and research it for 2h at 3 in the morning, I bill it. I do not sign any contracts, which automatically cut my workday to 8h (because they are illegal in my jurisdiction). If I work more than 8h, I sometimes get into trouble with some tight-assed legal department and I then just shift my hours on the timesheet around, until it fits. You should not under any circumstances reduce your rate, if you feel like the rate reflects your skill. Instead, explain your rate with your achievements, references, etc. and negotiate the gain/speed/performance your client is getting by hiring you with your higher rate instead of a competitor. I recommend against daily rates if you are able to zone into work and get serious shit done in 12h-shifts, while other days are just "eh" and you go for a jog after 4h. Usually, everyone notices your 4h-days while ignoring your 12h-days. If you trust your skills and your ability to define the scope of a project well, consider going into milestone-based payment (never for a whole project!). This might be more lucrative for you in the long run. If you choose this, think about a timespan you're willing to work without payment and half that timespan - that's the number of days between milestones you'll define. Should you hit a bad client, you'll stop working if payment hasn't gone through for the past milestone for whatever reason and when you're reaching the second milestone - never accept apologies, process delays, "those pesky policies"; you work for payment, everything else is the clients' problem, not yours.