Managing Holidays as a Freelancer Without Going Broke
TL;DR:
- Freelance holidays are unpaid by default, but you can change this with smart planning
- Set up retainers or recurring contracts to keep money coming in during time off
- Tell clients about holidays well in advance to avoid project chaos
- Build paid time off into your annual rates so holidays don't hurt your finances
- Add clear holiday clauses to contracts from day one
Most freelancers love the freedom to take holidays whenever they want. The downside? No work means no money. But it doesn't have to be that way if you plan ahead.
The key is treating yourself like the business owner you are. Employees get paid holidays because it's built into their salary. You need to build the same thing into your freelance rates.
Setting Up Income That Continues
Retainers work best for ongoing income. Instead of charging per project, you secure a monthly fee for a set amount of work. When you take a week off, that retainer still lands in your account.
Recurring contracts give you similar protection. These are ongoing agreements where clients commit to regular work over months or years. You're not scrambling for new projects every few weeks.
Both approaches mean you can take time off without watching your bank balance drop to zero.
Getting Your Pricing Right
Here's what most freelancers miss: you need to factor holidays into your rates from the start. Work out how many weeks off you want each year, then spread that cost across your working time.
If you want four weeks of holiday and normally charge £500 per week, you need to earn an extra £2,000 across your working year to cover that time off. That might mean raising your weekly rate to £540.
It sounds simple because it is. You're just being honest about your real costs instead of pretending holidays don't exist.
Talking to Clients About Time Off
Give clients plenty of notice about planned holidays. A month minimum for anything longer than a few days. This isn't just polite, it protects your relationship with them.
Discuss how your time off affects their projects. Can you finish deliverables before you go? Will deadlines need to shift? Sort this out early and everyone stays happy.
Contract Clauses That Protect You
Add a holiday clause to every contract you sign. It should cover how much notice you'll give, what happens to ongoing work, and whether retainer payments continue during your time off.
This stops awkward conversations later when clients assume you're available 365 days a year.
FAQs
How far in advance should I tell clients about holidays?
At least a month for anything over a few days. For longer breaks or busy periods like Christmas, give even more notice.
Do I still get paid during holidays if I have a retainer?
That depends on your contract terms. Most retainers do continue during short breaks, but make this clear upfront.
Should I raise my rates to cover holiday time?
Yes. Calculate how many weeks off you want per year and spread that cost across your working time. It's the only way to take guilt-free holidays.
What if a client has an emergency while I'm away?
Set clear boundaries about availability during time off. If you're truly unavailable, suggest other freelancers who can help in emergencies.
Jargon Buster
Retainer – A monthly fee clients pay to secure your services for a set amount of work, regardless of when that work happens.
Recurring contract – An ongoing agreement for regular work over months or years, often with automatic renewals.
Holiday clause – Contract terms that explain how time off works, including notice periods and payment arrangements.
Wrap-up
Taking holidays as a freelancer shouldn't mean financial stress. Build time off into your rates, set up retainers where possible, and communicate clearly with clients about your plans.
The goal is simple: create a business that pays you even when you're not working. That's not unreasonable, it's professional.
Start planning your next break properly and you'll come back refreshed instead of broke.
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