a dumb question about freelance-programming

[flexy]

so..i am sitting on this project...

And this includes stuff like d/l and installing an IDE.

Also i got code from my client, an already live- webpage which i spent hours to get the hang of HIS code...and getting it to build in my IDE. My actual "job" is it to add additional functionality to that code....and/or take his code-modules and extend it etc...etc..

My question is now how other freelancers do that....eg. do you actually bill "work" you did installing some IDE you need for a project....and/or going through code to understand it....or even things like reading up on MSDN if you need help on a subject etc. Even if no *actual* code has been written yet. Eg. today i spent 8 hrs going through those basics..which i defintly consider "work" even if it didnt result in presentable code.

Just out of curiosity..how would/should i bill that ?

 

[EagleKeeper]

It would depend on what the agreement entails.

Understanding some-one elses code is something that you should expect to do when budgeting the project.

Installing an developing environment is something that is your responsibility unless it is provided to you under the contract.