- Double your rate

- get a written contract

- get paid in regular intervals

- document everything

Get a 50% deposit before you begin work. That 50% should be enough that you won't be completely screwed if they never wrap up the project.

If your goal is really to bootstrap your startup, your best bet is probably to hang on to the day job as long as possible - if only for the predictability of income.

You'll spend about twice as much time doing non-billable work than you think you will.

-Taxes.

-Don't try to do everything yourself at first, if you can out source it for a nominal fee, do it. Focus on your circle of competence.

-Get a written contract. Always. No matter what. Not kidding.