Finding the right long-term contractor accommodation is about much more than finding somewhere for your team to sleep.
For a project lasting several weeks or months, poor accommodation can mean long commutes, expensive meals, parking problems, uncomfortable workers and unnecessary admin for the person managing the booking.
The right serviced accommodation gives contractors and project teams a comfortable place to live while working away from home, while giving employers a practical and often more cost-effective alternative to booking multiple hotel rooms.
At Simply Accommodation, we provide serviced apartments and houses for contractors, project teams, corporate travellers and professionals across Crawley, Gatwick, Horley and Horsham.
Based on our experience accommodating guests working on projects in the area, here are the main things businesses should consider when arranging accommodation for a longer stay.
What Is Long-Term Contractor Accommodation?
Long-term contractor accommodation is furnished accommodation designed for workers who need somewhere to stay temporarily while completing a contract, project or work placement away from home.
Rather than staying in a traditional hotel room for weeks or months, contractors can stay in a fully furnished apartment or house with facilities such as a kitchen, washing machine, Wi-Fi and living space.
Depending on the property, accommodation may be suitable for an individual worker, several colleagues sharing a property or larger project teams using multiple properties in the same area.
It is particularly useful for construction workers, engineers, airport workers, consultants, tradespeople, corporate employees and project teams who need accommodation for several weeks or months.
Why Serviced Accommodation Works Well for Long-Term Projects
Hotels can work perfectly well for short business trips. For longer projects, however, living in a hotel room can quickly become expensive and restrictive.
A serviced apartment or house gives workers far more space and independence.
Guests can cook their own meals, wash their clothes, relax in a separate living area and enjoy a property that feels much more like home.
For companies booking accommodation for multiple employees, sharing a larger house can also make significantly more sense than paying for several separate hotel rooms every night.
The best option depends on the number of workers, length of the project, work location and individual requirements, but it is always worth comparing serviced accommodation with hotel pricing before committing to a long booking.
1. Start With the Project Location, Not the Accommodation
One of the biggest mistakes when arranging project accommodation is choosing the property based purely on price.
A cheaper property 40 minutes away from the worksite may not actually be cheaper once you consider fuel, employee travelling time and the inconvenience of making that journey twice every working day.
For longer bookings, even a relatively small difference in commute time adds up.
If a worker saves 20 minutes travelling each way, that is more than three hours of travelling saved every five-day working week.
When making an accommodation enquiry, providing the worksite postcode is therefore extremely useful.
It allows the accommodation provider to recommend properties based on the actual daily journey rather than simply finding somewhere in the same town.
Contractor Accommodation in Crawley
Crawley is particularly popular with contractors and business travellers because of its proximity to Gatwick Airport, Manor Royal Business District, Three Bridges and the M23.
If your team is working in Crawley, the exact part of the town matters.
Accommodation close to the worksite can dramatically reduce travelling time during busy morning and evening periods.
Simply Accommodation has serviced accommodation in Crawley suitable for contractors, corporate travellers and project teams requiring stays ranging from shorter assignments to several months.
Contractor Accommodation Near Gatwick Airport
Projects at or around London Gatwick Airport often require workers to stay nearby for extended periods.
Instead of keeping employees in airport hotels for weeks or months, serviced accommodation near Gatwick can provide considerably more living space and better facilities for a long stay.
Crawley and Horley are both convenient locations to consider for teams working at Gatwick, depending on the exact worksite and transport requirements.
Contractor Accommodation in Horley
Horley can be a particularly useful base for teams working around Gatwick Airport and the surrounding Surrey and Sussex area.
Serviced houses and apartments in Horley provide an alternative to staying directly at the airport while keeping workers close to Gatwick and nearby transport routes.
Contractor Accommodation in Horsham
For projects based further west, serviced accommodation in Horsham can provide a convenient base for contractors, business travellers and employees working across Horsham and the surrounding West Sussex area.
For longer projects, choosing accommodation in the correct part of Horsham can once again make a significant difference to the team’s daily commute.
2. Choose Accommodation That Can Adapt if the Project Changes
Anyone who has managed a long-term project knows that the original dates do not always remain the final dates.
Projects can overrun.
Start dates can be delayed.
Workers can be added or removed.
Different team members can rotate throughout the contract.
A four-week requirement can suddenly become a three-month booking.
Because of this, flexibility is one of the most important things to discuss before confirming contractor accommodation.
Ask what happens if you need to extend the stay, shorten the booking, change the number of occupants or alter the dates.
For longer bookings, speaking directly with the accommodation provider can be particularly valuable because you can explain the nature of the project rather than relying solely on a standard online booking process.
3. Compare the Total Cost, Not Just the Nightly Rate
The cheapest nightly rate does not necessarily mean the cheapest overall option.
When comparing contractor accommodation, think about the entire cost of housing the team.
A serviced property with a kitchen allows workers to prepare meals rather than eating in restaurants or ordering takeaway food every evening.
A washing machine removes the need for hotel laundry services or laundrettes.
Parking at the property can remove daily parking costs.
A property closer to the worksite can reduce fuel and travelling time.
If several colleagues can comfortably share one house while retaining their own bedrooms, the cost per person can also be very competitive compared with booking separate hotel rooms.
For longer stays, it is worth asking the accommodation provider for a long-stay, contractor or corporate rate rather than simply multiplying the standard nightly price by the number of nights required.
4. Make Sure the Property Is Suitable for Actually Living In
There is a major difference between accommodation that is suitable for two nights and accommodation that is comfortable for two months.
When workers are staying for an extended period, the property effectively becomes their temporary home.
Useful facilities for long-term contractor accommodation include:
- A fully equipped kitchen
- Reliable Wi-Fi
- Washing machine and laundry facilities
- Comfortable living and dining areas
- Suitable beds and sleeping arrangements
- Adequate storage
- Heating and utilities
- Parking where required
- Linen and towels
- Regular cleaning options
- Easy access to supermarkets, food and everyday amenities
These facilities become increasingly important the longer the booking lasts.
Having somewhere comfortable to cook, eat and relax after work can make a substantial difference to the experience of employees who are spending weeks or months away from home.
5. Check the Sleeping Arrangements Carefully
Do not simply look at the number of people a property says it can sleep.
For work teams, bed configuration matters.
A three-bedroom property sleeping six people does not necessarily mean it is suitable for six unrelated contractors.
Ask exactly what beds are available and whether workers will be expected to share bedrooms or beds.
Some serviced accommodation properties use zip-and-link beds that can be configured as either a larger bed or two singles, which can provide useful flexibility for contractor and corporate bookings.
It is better to establish the required sleeping arrangement at the beginning than discover after arrival that the property does not work for the team.
6. Confirm Parking Before Booking
Parking is one of the most common requirements for contractor accommodation.
If employees are travelling to site every day, you need to know exactly where they can leave their vehicles.
Do not assume that a property advertised as having parking will necessarily accommodate several large vans.
Tell the accommodation provider how many vehicles the team will have and, importantly, whether they are cars, work vans or larger commercial vehicles.
At Simply Accommodation, parking availability varies between properties, so we recommend providing your vehicle requirements when making an enquiry. This allows us to suggest properties that are actually suitable for your team.
7. Think About the Workers’ Day-to-Day Experience
Price matters, but employee comfort matters too.
A worker completing a physically demanding shift will generally appreciate being able to come back to a proper living room, cook dinner, watch television and relax rather than spending every evening sitting on a hotel bed.
Providing good accommodation can make working away from home much easier, particularly during longer projects.
For companies sending employees away for several months, the quality of their temporary accommodation can form an important part of their overall experience of the assignment.
8. Read Reviews Before Committing to a Long Stay
Online reviews can provide valuable information that is difficult to understand from photographs alone.
Look particularly closely at comments regarding cleanliness, communication, parking, Wi-Fi, bed comfort, location and how quickly problems are resolved.
Reviews from business travellers, contractors and guests who stayed for longer periods can be especially relevant.
A provider with experience managing longer corporate and contractor stays is also more likely to understand the different requirements involved compared with a standard weekend leisure booking.
9. Book Directly for Longer Contractor Stays
For longer bookings, contacting the accommodation provider directly is usually worth doing before confirming anything through an online travel agency.
The online calendar does not always tell the whole story.
A provider may have several properties available, upcoming cancellations, availability that has not yet been released online or another property better suited to your project.
Direct communication also gives you an opportunity to explain your requirements properly.
For example, a company might need accommodation for four workers for three months, require parking for two vans and have a strong possibility that the project will be extended.
That is very different from somebody simply searching online for four guests and selecting the cheapest available property.
Direct bookings may also allow providers to offer more competitive rates for longer stays because the booking can be priced around the full project requirement.
10. Give the Accommodation Provider as Much Information as Possible
The better the initial enquiry, the easier it is to find the right accommodation.
When contacting Simply Accommodation about a contractor or project stay, the most useful information is the project location or postcode, required check-in and check-out dates, number of guests, number of bedrooms or separate beds required, vehicle and parking requirements and whether the dates are likely to be extended.
If you are flexible on certain requirements, mention that too.
For example, if you would consider two nearby properties instead of one large house, that can significantly increase the available options for larger teams.
Serviced Accommodation vs Hotels for Long-Term Contractors
There is no single type of accommodation that is best for every business trip.
For one employee staying for a single night before a flight, an airport hotel might be the obvious choice.
For four contractors working on a 12-week project, a serviced house can be a completely different proposition.
The contractors gain a kitchen, laundry facilities and living space, while the company can house several employees under one booking rather than paying for multiple hotel rooms.
This is why it is important to compare accommodation based on the specific project rather than assuming hotels are automatically the easiest option.
Long-Term Accommodation for Companies and Project Managers
We know that the person booking the accommodation is often not the person actually staying there.
Project managers, office administrators, travel coordinators and employers may be responsible for finding somewhere suitable while also managing invoices, changing project dates and multiple employees.
Our aim is to make that process as straightforward as possible.
Tell us where the team is working, how many people need accommodation and what they require, and we can advise on the most suitable available options.
Why Choose Simply Accommodation?
Simply Accommodation specialises in furnished serviced apartments and houses for guests who need more than a standard hotel stay.
We regularly accommodate contractors, professionals, corporate guests, project teams and people working away from home.
Our current accommodation portfolio covers Crawley, Gatwick, Horley and Horsham, with properties suitable for stays ranging from shorter business trips to long-term projects.
Depending on the property, guests can benefit from fully equipped kitchens, Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, separate living areas, multiple bedrooms and parking.
We also understand that project requirements change, so we encourage companies arranging longer stays to contact us directly and discuss their requirements.
Looking for Contractor Accommodation in Crawley, Gatwick, Horley or Horsham?
If you are arranging accommodation for contractors, engineers, employees or a project team, contact Simply Accommodation with your requirements.
Whether you need a single apartment for one employee, a house for a team or several properties for a larger project, we can check our available accommodation and recommend the most suitable options.
For the best starting point, send us your project postcode, dates, number of guests and parking requirements.
If your project is elsewhere in the UK, you are also welcome to contact us. We are expanding our accommodation network and can let you know whether we are able to assist with your location.
Frequently Asked Questions About Contractor Accommodation
What is contractor accommodation?
Contractor accommodation is temporary furnished accommodation for workers who need somewhere to live while completing a project or contract away from home. Serviced apartments and houses are commonly used because they provide kitchens, laundry facilities, Wi-Fi and living space in addition to bedrooms.
Can contractors stay for several months?
Yes. Serviced accommodation can be particularly suitable for longer projects lasting several weeks or months. Availability and rates will depend on the property and dates required.
Do you provide contractor accommodation near Gatwick Airport?
Yes. Simply Accommodation provides serviced accommodation around Crawley, Gatwick and Horley, making our properties suitable for contractors and professionals working at Gatwick Airport and in the surrounding area.
Do you provide contractor accommodation in Crawley?
Yes. We provide furnished serviced accommodation in Crawley for contractors, corporate travellers and project teams, including guests working around Gatwick Airport, Manor Royal and other parts of Crawley.
Do you provide accommodation in Horley and Horsham?
Yes. Simply Accommodation also has serviced accommodation in Horley and Horsham for contractors, business travellers and longer-term guests.
Is parking available for work vans?
Parking depends on the individual property. If your team has cars, vans or multiple vehicles, let us know when enquiring so we can identify the most suitable accommodation.
Is serviced accommodation cheaper than a hotel for contractors?
It can be, particularly when several workers are sharing a property or the booking lasts for several weeks or months. The exact saving depends on the dates, property, number of guests and hotel rates available at the time.
Can we extend our booking if a project overruns?
Extensions may be possible subject to availability. If there is a reasonable chance your project will overrun, tell us at the beginning of the booking so we can discuss the options available.
How do I get a quote for a long-term stay?
Contact Simply Accommodation with your project postcode, required dates, number of guests, bedroom requirements and parking needs. We can then check availability and recommend suitable accommodation for your team.
