Ask HN: Bad situation – how long of a notice should a consultant give a client?
What is the opinion in the United States for how much notice you have to give a client if you want to cut the work short? We've been working together for two months (350 hours). The contract allows me to just walk away, but just like with employment, you don't want to do that except in extreme cases.
It's my first time consulting and things have gone about as bad as could be. What was initially estimated to be 150 hours for $6000 (well below my market rate to begin with) currently stands at 350 hours and $6700 in the bank so far. I got sweet-talked into extending twice. This time I told the client I am done and will not continue beyond finishing one last item and writing the docs for business continuity. He's trying to sweet talk into doing several of the important and urgent items, which of course are going to play out like everything else so far and take much longer than he thinks.
So, if for full-time employment two weeks notice is customary, what is it for consulting?
I'd also like to hear from other folks just how bad things went for them to justify quitting suddenly? How did the client take it?
It's my first time consulting and things have gone about as bad as could be. What was initially estimated to be 150 hours for $6000 (well below my market rate to begin with) currently stands at 350 hours and $6700 in the bank so far. I got sweet-talked into extending twice. This time I told the client I am done and will not continue beyond finishing one last item and writing the docs for business continuity. He's trying to sweet talk into doing several of the important and urgent items, which of course are going to play out like everything else so far and take much longer than he thinks.
So, if for full-time employment two weeks notice is customary, what is it for consulting?
I'd also like to hear from other folks just how bad things went for them to justify quitting suddenly? How did the client take it?