How many hours of labor per week is expected for work trade?
Nomads should expect to complete the following hours in work trade:
- CO-LIVING & RETREATS: Work-trade experiences typically include a room, bed, bathroom and WiFi for about 15 hours of work per week (between 12 - 18 hours of work per week). For example, accommodations that only include a tent space or a shared room we recommend 12 hours per week, or if it is a private apartment space at a resort with high-end amenities, 18 hours per week is more appropriate.
- FOOD: Work-trade experiences that include 1 meal a day we suggest adding 4 extra hours per week. For example, if breakfast and lunch is included, 8 hours per week of extra labor should be expected.
- CO-WORK OFFICES: Work-trade experiences at co-works offices average about 3 hours per week (or 1 to 5 hours per week). For example, those staying at a shared desk space with limited access to the office may only be expected to work 1 hour of work in exchange for their desk whereas a private office with a mailbox and the ability to host team members should include more, around 5 hours of trade in labor.
We are basing these numbers on what we feel is a
fair standard of percentage of labor/income that should go to housing which is 25% in a fair world and 30% in a more cutthroat world. If you work a 40 to 45 hour work week than 25%-30% of your time would be closer to 10 - 12 hours just going to housing. We always admire spaces that value this number of hours as fair standard of living and we encourage spaces to reach those fair standards. A couple sharing a room is negotiated directly with the space and may or may not result in less hours of labor per week.