Being independent often means going where the work is. not the other way around. An order in Stuttgart this week, a project in Heidenheim next month, a construction site in the Filstal afterwards. Anyone who works as a craftsman, fitter or specialist on their own account knows this rhythm. And anyone who knows him also knows how important accommodation is that adapts to this rhythm – and not the other way around. No annual contract, no empty apartment that you have to set up first. But something that works when you arrive.
The special situation of self-employed people on assembly
Employed fitters have it easier on one point: the employer often takes care of the accommodation. Anyone who is self-employed organizes the self – and usually also bears the costs themselves, at least for the time being. This makes the choice of accommodation a real entrepreneurial decision. It shouldn’t be too expensive, not too far from the place of work, and it has to be flexible because projects are shifting and orders sometimes take longer than planned.
In addition, there is a tax aspect that many self-employed people underestimate: accommodation costs that arise as part of an external activity can be claimed as operating expenses. A decent invoice from the landlord is a prerequisite for this – and by no means a matter of course for all accommodation that can be found via large booking portals.
What ‘flexibly bookable’ really means for the self-employed
Flexibility is a word that many landlords like to use. In practice, sometimes it just means that you can book online. What self-employed people really need on Mondays is something else: the possibility of booking accommodation for two weeks and extending it to four if necessary. Or cancel a booking at short notice if an order is broken. Or arrive in the middle of the week because the customer wants it that way.
If you book directly with the landlord, you have significantly more leeway in such situations than through a portal that specifies rigid booking rules. A short phone call or a message is often enough to regulate changes easily – without cancellation fees and without waiting days for a response from customer service.
What good accommodation has to do for the self-employed
The requirements hardly differ from those of other fitters – but the weight is different. If you pay for your own costs, take a closer look. And if you often travel alone, you attach more importance to accommodation where you still feel comfortable even after a long day.
The following points are particularly important:
- A fully furnished accommodation that is ready to move in immediately – without any furnishings
- Self catering kitchen to avoid restaurant costs
- Stable WLAN, which also works reliably for video calls and sending offers or invoices
- A quiet environment that enables real relaxation after work
- A regular invoice that can be claimed as a business expense
Those who set these points as the minimum standard rarely make a bad decision.
Single room or own apartment?
For the self-employed who are traveling alone, this question arises more often than you think. A single room in a fitter’s accommodation with a shared kitchen is the cheaper option – and for short stays of one to two weeks is completely sufficient. If you stay longer or have lots of working materials with you, you are better off with a small apartment or a fitter’s apartment. More space, more privacy, more peace.
The price difference between a room and a small unit is often smaller than expected – especially with direct bookings without portal commissions. In any case, a comparison is worthwhile.
Temporary living as an integral part of everyday working life
For many self-employed people in the trade and in assembly, temporary living is not an exceptional situation, but everyday life. Some spend more nights a year away than at home. Anyone who accepts this and approaches the accommodation question professionally not only gains comfort, but also reliability and planning security.
In concrete terms, this means: not always looking from the front, but knowing reliable landlords in the regions where you work regularly. Anyone who has ever found a good place to stay will be happy to come back. And a landlord who knows this is usually also willing to accommodate – with prices, with flexibility, when billing.
In regions such as the greater Stuttgart area, the Filstal or around Göppingen and Lorch, there are providers who are geared towards this clientele. Inexpensive fitter apartments that can be booked directly, provide a decent bill and have adapted to the needs of people who come back regularly.
What to consider when billing
When booking an accommodation, the self-employed should always ask for an invoice – for one that meets the tax requirements. This means: complete information about the landlord, the service, the period and the amount. As a rule, a receipt or a handwritten confirmation is not sufficient for the tax return.
If you book directly with the landlord and clarify this in advance, you usually have no problem with it. Many providers of fitter accommodations are accustomed to self-employed and corporate customers and issue corresponding invoices without much effort.
Just arrive and get started
Raumschmide Apartments offers furnished accommodation in Baden-Württemberg – directly bookable, with invoice and without a commission. Anyone who works regularly in the region as a self-employed person and is looking for reliable accommodation will find a solution here that suits everyday working life: flexible, uncomplicated and ready for occupancy.