Hi Mike,

To clarify your relationship with your client, try to negotiate when those hours are and then make yourself available for those hours. That way there is no miscommunication. And bill for those hours, even if you don't work. But don't work on anything; go to the beach or read a book if there is no work, just be available for those negotiated times.

>What is the standard operating procedure for a client that requests you to be available for a minimum of x hours per week? In this case, would you write up a contract that specifies you will bill for that minimum even if there is no work for that week? Or, would you simply try to budget your time to take those hours into account and try to fill it when the hours given falls short?