Before you accept: twelve questions
Getting offered work is exciting, and sometimes the instinct is to say yes straight away. But before you accept a freelance job, it is worth taking a moment to make sure you understand what you are agreeing to.
These twelve questions are designed to help you check the practical details, from what you are being asked to do and how much you will be paid, to expenses, working hours, cancellation and contracts.
You won't necessarily need to ask all twelve. Some answers may already be clear from the offer, conversation or contract. Think of this as a quick way to spot anything that hasn't been discussed yet.
Asking questions doesn't make you difficult
It is reasonable to understand the terms of a freelance engagement before you agree to it.
Knowing what is expected of you, what you will be paid and when, and what happens if plans change helps protect everyone involved and gives the working relationship a clearer starting point.
A good freelance engagement starts with both sides understanding what they have agreed to.
The twelve questions
Before you accept the work, run through these twelve questions. You may already know most of the answers. If something isn't clear, that's your prompt to ask.
01.
Who am I actually working for?
Be clear about the person or organisation engaging you, who your main contact is and who will be responsible for paying you.
02.
How am I being engaged?
Are you being engaged as self-employed, a worker or an employee? If it isn’t clear, ask. Your employment status can affect your tax and rights.
03.
What exactly am I being asked to do?
Make sure you understand the role, responsibilities, location and what is included in the work. Check whether it requires particular experience, training, qualifications or authorisation, and say so if something falls outside your competence.
04.
How much of my time will the job actually require?
Check the dates and working hours, but also include preparation, meetings, administration and travel. Consider this alongside work for other clients and whether the overall schedule leaves enough time for rest, recovery and safe travel.
05.
What will I be paid, and what does the fee cover?
Be clear about the agreed fee and what it includes. Ask what happens if additional days, hours or work are required.
06.
When and how will I be paid?
Know when you should expect payment, whether you need to invoice and whether there is anything you need to do before payment can be processed.
07.
What expenses are covered?
Check what happens with travel, accommodation, materials or other costs. Know what is covered, what needs approval and how expenses will be reimbursed.
08.
What happens if the job changes or is cancelled?
Ask what happens if dates move, work is cancelled or the scope changes. Check whether cancellation terms or additional fees have been agreed.
09.
How will my work, image, voice or performance be used?
If anything will be recorded, reproduced or shared, understand what you are agreeing to and whether that use is included in your fee.
10.
Are my access requirements understood and supported?
If you have access requirements or need adjustments to do the work, make sure there is an opportunity to discuss what you need.
11.
Is there anything I need to know about safety or working conditions?
Think about the venue, working hours, travel and nature of the work. Ask about any risks, physical demands, required equipment or PPE, and safety information relevant to your role. Check who provides anything you need, what training or authorisation is required and who to contact about an access, welfare or safety concern.
12.
Do I have the agreement in writing?
Make sure the key terms are recorded somewhere, including the work, dates and hours, fee, expenses, payment and cancellation. This could be a contract, letter of agreement, booking form, purchase order or clear email exchange.
If paperwork arrives after work begins, check that it matches what was originally agreed and raise any differences before signing or confirming it.
Need to ask for the agreement?
If the paperwork has not arrived, ask for the key terms in writing before you start where possible. For short-notice or cover work, an email or message can create a useful record even if formal paperwork will follow.
A simple way to ask
“Thanks for getting in touch. Could you please confirm the role or work, dates and expected hours, fee, expenses, payment arrangements and cancellation terms in writing? An email is fine if the formal paperwork will follow.”
Once you accept the work
Accepting work creates expectations on both sides. What applies will depend on the job, your agreement and how you are being engaged, but some basic professional habits are useful across most roles.
Once you have accepted the work:
- Keep the dates, timings, work and deliverables you have agreed to, or tell your main contact as soon as possible if a delay or problem arises.
- Be accurate about your skills, experience, qualifications, training and authorisation. Do not attempt work that you are not competent or authorised to carry out safely.
- Consider whether your overall workload and rest leave you able to carry out the work and any necessary travel safely.
- Read and follow any relevant policies, site rules, risk assessments and method statements. Ask if something is unclear, and know how to report a safety problem, incident or near miss.
- Check what tools, equipment or PPE the work requires, who is responsible for providing them and whether you have the information and training needed to use them safely.
- Raise concerns early if the scope, schedule, staffing, safety or access arrangements make the work difficult to deliver safely or as agreed.
- Complete any agreed timesheets, supplier forms, expense claims or invoices accurately and through the agreed process.
If something changes or goes wrong, communicating it early is usually more helpful than trying to manage it alone.
These responsibilities do not remove the engager’s, employer’s, client’s or venue’s own contractual, legal or health-and-safety responsibilities. Clear communication, safe working and professional conduct are shared responsibilities.