what should I invoice client for?

[want2findout]

I run a consultancy business and have just been approached by a company who are interested in sub-contracting work out to me. They have asked me to visit their head office to go through some details. They're office is some distance away from mine - approx 6 hours drive. I was just wondering what to charge for this meeting? mileage at 40p per mile? should I expect them to put me up in a hotel the night before? do I charge for my time out of the office ( I know they will use my expertise whilst there!).

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[Annie Seed]

Surely, your first option is to ask them what they are prepared to pay for your attendance.

[buildersmate]

You have to work out whether this visit is part of the selling process or the start of the work. If you haven't agreed terms yet (a rate) then it sounds like part of the sale to me. I also run my own consultancy business (nothing to do with my pseudonym) and I wouldn't do this distance (I guess 350 miles) unless I knew I was 90% sure of the sale, and generally that means having had a phone conversation which has spoken about daily or hourly rates and rates for any expenses. You have to speculate to accumulate but there are limits. Assuming this is likley to be lucrative enough for you, personally I wouldn't try and charge for the meeting, but at the meeting, if I was being quizzed about my intellectual capital, I would gently suggest that the clock ought to start ticking. Expenses for the that first visit I reckon are on you - its tax deductible of course.

[want2findout]

Thanks buildersmate.