I think OP’s point here is that you, in general, have more flexibility as a free agent. The trade-off is that the nature of your work changes to include lead gen and salesmanship to initially get those jobs, and active relationship management, billing systems, and consistent output to maintain the jobs. It’s a hustle you must partake in and not everyone is game for that.
I guess it would be better to say you can flex your annual hours and pay by adjusting your contract load. A family member has lived this way for 30 years, and has pretty great flexibility on the scale of a month, but not necessarily day to day.
I suppose that’s one of the advantages of being an intermittent contractor. The customer doesn’t know why you’re unavailable next Monday and Tuesday. It could be another customer, or it could be a trip to Yosemite.
Not really. Only if they are willing to pay more. And only if you have no fixed contract. ass an employee you can also ask for more at-will.
> flex your hours
As an employee you can often flex hours. As a consultant sometimes less as you have to deliver.
> work from wherever you like
Many employees can do that too. Some consultants have to work in the customers office.