Q: I was hired by a small agency to write a CD-ROM script and now the owner wants to take me on a fact-finding meeting where I’ll have to drive a total of 3 hours (RT). I offered in our initial meeting to sit down with him and this client, but didn’t negotiate the driving. Is this a billable expense or something to swallow since it’s a first time client?
A: If the travel is part of the first meeting of the project, yes, then travel time is typically billable. Ideally, you bring this up to the client in advance and maybe cut him/her a break, say one-and-a-half to two hours instead of three, especially if you’re traveling much farther than someone who lived closer to them would have to. They shouldn’t have a problem with it, if they’ve hired freelancers before. It’s time and time is all you’ve got. That said, if the deal is already set, it may be harder to add billable time that wasn’t initially discussed. I’d still go for it, and if they pitch a fit, then maybe you back off and learn your lesson for the next time.